385

2 June 1944
media-13534.jpeg UPL 13534 Briefing prior to the 491st Bombardment Group's first combat mission on 2 June 1944.
First row on the right is Lt. Col. Carl T. Goldenberg, 491st Group Commander.
Second row on the left is Major Charles C. Parmele, 854th Squadron Commander.
Third row near the center, wearing an officers cap and sheepskin jacket, is 1st Lt. James Carlin McKeown, pilot of the 853rd Squadron's Delirious Dolores (44-40200).

Ringmasters: The 491st Bombardment Group (H). Dallas: Taylor Publishing Co. (1992).

Object Number - UPL 13534 - Briefing prior to the 491st Bombardment Group's first combat mission on 2 June 1944. First row on the right is Lt. Col. Carl T. Goldenberg, 491st...

Official Description

Role of Bombers from 2-5 June in preparation for invasion of Normandy on 6 June includes continuation of attacks against transportation and Airfield Targets in Northern France and the institution of a series of blows against coastal defenses, mainly located in Pas de Calais coastal area, to deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded (Operation COVER).



The second mission of 2 Jun is carried out by 300 HBs attacking airfields and railroad facilities at or near Massy/Palaiseau, Conches, Beaumont-sur-Oise, Juvisy-sur-Orge, Acheres, Paris, Versailles/Matelots, Bretigny-sur-Orge, and Creil. 8 Bombers are lost to AA fire.

Mission Details

BEAUMONT-SUR-OISE (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 36 T

BRETIGNY (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Notes: 2nd Bomb Division was made up of 489th Bomb Group & 491st Bomb Group. First mission of 491st Bomb Group and has its first loss.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 39 T

CAEN/CARPIQUET (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3T

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 117 T

CREIL (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 47 T

PARIS (Primary)

Description: RAILROAD TARGETS

Notes: 1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 303rd Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group, 306th Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 381st Bomb Group, 384th Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group. 351st Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group and 457th Bomb Group stand down. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of34th Bomb Group, 94th Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group, 490th Bomb Group.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 462 T

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 14 T

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13112509
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Quarterback
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Homesick Angel
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Berlin Bessie
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Baby Buggy
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

USAAF Combat Chronology.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.

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