Mission 95

Mission Summaries > June 1944

SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 1944
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force):

Mission 403:

Bad weather restricts operations to NW France; 883 bombers and 1,491 fighter sorties are flown but 200+ bombers abort due to cloud conditions; 1 bomber and 24 fighters are lost.

507 B-17s are dispatched to Equihen (24 bomb), Hardelot (23 bomb), St Gabriel (26 bomb), Gael Airfield (36 bomb), Nantes / Bouguenais Airfield (55 bomb), Vannes Airfield (59 bomb), Berck (26 bomb), Merlimont Plage (39 bomb), and Toucquet-Paris-Plage (10 bomb); 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 36 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA.

257 B-24s are dispatched to Wimereau (23 bomb), Boulogne (34 bomb), Dreux Airfield (26 bomb), Evreux/Fauville Airfield (65 bomb) and Boulogne (13 bomb); 39 others hit Conches Airfield; 1 B-24 is lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair and 28 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA.

119 B-24s are dispatched to Château dun Airfield (45 bomb) and Orleans/Bricy Airfield (66 bomb) without loss.

During the day, 1 fighter pilot is KIA and 24 are MIA.

Mission 404:

During the evening, 11 B-17s drop leaflets on Norway and France without loss.

Target: Dreux, France - German occupied airfield
8th Air Force Mission No:	403
Aircraft Taking Off:	23
Aircraft Dispatched:	20
Aircraft Aborts:	5
Aircraft Over Primary:	15
Aircraft Over Secondary:	0
Aircraft Over Last Resort:	0
Aircraft Bomb Load:	xx x 250 lb. AN-M57 General Purpose bombs
Group Bomb Load:	xxx x 250 lb. AN-M57 General Purpose bombs
Results:	Excellent
Tactical Mission Report:	2nd Bomb Division Mission Report 1. A/C Scheduled ----------------------- 23 A/C Airborne ------------------------- 23 A/C Dispatched ---------------------- 20 A/C Returned Early ----------------- 5 A/C Over Target --------------------- 15 A/C Returned ------------------------ 15 2. Assembly: High clouds and contrails made assemblies difficult, resulting in the 389th Group abandoning the mission. 3. Route In: Routes into enemy territory were flown substantially as briefed. 4. Bomb Run: A composite flight was made up of one Squadron from each of the 2nd Bomb Wing groups (389th, 445th, and 453rd Groups). The 389th Group was unable to join up with the 445th and 453rd Groups and abandoned the mission. The 445th Group took over 2nd Bomb Wing Lead and visually bombed the primary target with good results. The 453rd Group was charged a Gross Error due to Personnel Failure. 5. Route Out: Routes away enemy territory were flown substantially as briefed. 6. Enemy Fighters: No enemy fighters were encountered. 7. Fighter Support: Excellent 8. Flak: Anti-aircraft fire was moderate and accurate.
Losses: One aircraft was lost on this mission. MACR #
Note: All Groups were led by GH aircraft.

Dreux, France - German occupied airfield