IX Bomber Command 168A
6 June 1944IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Official Description
More than 800 A-20’s and B-26’s bomb coastal defence batteries, rail and road junctions and bridges, and Marshalling Yards in support of the invasion forces landing in Normandy.
A total of about 30 airplanes Medium Bombers, (Fighters and transports) are lost.
Description
9th Air Force Bomber Command was to attack 3 coastal batteries in the 21st Army Group area, one near Benerville and two in the vicinity of Ouistrham. 18 aircraft were to bomb each target at as near civil twilight as possible.
3 other coastal batteries at Pointe Du Hoc, just west of Omaha Beach, at Maisy I on the eastern shore of the Vire estuary, and a Montfarbille, south on Honfleur on the northeast tip of the Cherbourg peninsula were to be attacked by 18 medium bombers, each between H-Hour minus 20 and H-Hour minus 5 minutes. All these batteries were capable of interfering with the landings on Utah beach.
In addition the medium bombers were to bomb seven defended localities in the Utah beach area. Three were to be attacked by 35, and the remainder by 54 aircraft eac. The attacks were to be delivered between H-Hour minus 20 and H-Hour minus 5 minutes. The Medium-bomber effort was concentrated in this area to eliminate, so far as possible, air traffic problems.
Mission Details
Operational overview
Description: Operational Overview
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 1,441.605
- Aircraft sent: 1
- Aircraft effective: 823
- Aircraft missing in action: 11
Ouistreham II / Ouistreham II / Ouistreham II
Description: 9th Air Force Bomber Command was to attack 3 coastal batteries in the 21st Army Group area, one near Benerville and two in the vicinity of Ouistrham. 18 aircraft were to bomb each target at as near civil twilight as possible.
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 54
Honfleur / Honfleur / Honfleur
Description: 3 other coastal batteries at Pointe Du Hoc, just west of Omaha Beach, at Maisy I on the eastern shore of the Eure estuary, and at Montfarbille, south on Honfleur on the northeast tip of the Cherbourg peninsula were to be attacked by 18 medium bombers, each between H-Hour minus 20 and H-Hour minus 5 minutes. All these batteries were capable of interfering with the landings on Utah beach.
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 54
Utah Beach Area
Description: In addition the medium bombers were to bomb seven defended localities in the Utah beach area. Three were to be attacked by 35, and the remainder by 54 aircraft each. The attacks were to be delivered between H-Hour minus 20 and H-Hour minus 5 minutes. The Medium-bomber effort was concentrated in this area to eliminate, so far as possible, air traffic problems.
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 321
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: IX Bomber Command
- Highest Rank: General
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 397th Bomb Group 597th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32 466 964
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Airplane Crew Chief MOS 059
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Service Numbers: 14181004
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 397th Bomb Group 597th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-684404 / 10230A
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot