IX Bomber Command 168A

6 June 1944

B-26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission over Cherbourg on D-Day. Printed caption on reverse: 'Invasion Preparations. Scherschel Roll 2 No. 7. Marauders in the air on their way to bomb Cherbourg. Note special "D-Day" markings. Scherschel Pool Photo.' Censor no: 325194. On reverse: LIFE Magazine Photo By Frank J. Scherschel and SHAEF Field Press Censor [Stamps].

media-413844.jpg FRE 7831 B-26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission over Cherbourg on D-Day. Printed caption on reverse: 'Invasion Preparations. Scherschel Roll 2 No. 7. Marauders in the air on their way to bomb Cherbourg. Note special "D-Day" markings. Scherschel Pool Photo.' Censor no: 325194. On reverse: LIFE Magazine Photo By Frank J. Scherschel and SHAEF Field Press Censor [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 7831 - B-26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission over Cherbourg on D-Day. Printed caption on reverse: 'Invasion...

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.