486th Group

25/5/44

OPERATIONAL NARRATIVE, 486TH GROUP, MONIGNIES-sur-SAMBRE MISSION, 25 May 1944.

1. None
2. First S.A.V. photos show majority of busts to right of M.P.I. some in N.E. part of M/Y and on eastern part of steel works.
3. None.
4. Meager, inaccurate, continuously pointed flak encountered at group formation south of Poix, in target area at Charleroi, and near Brussels.
5. Weather did not affect mission.
6. At 0841 hours, a large number of cars was observed in RR yards at Chauny,
7. Fighter support very good.

**********

A-2 Reporting Section
3rd Bomb. Division

486th Group

25/5/44 2030 S-2

INTELLIGENCE REPORT, 486TH GROUP, MONTIGNES-sur-SAMBRE MISSION, 25 May, 1944.

A. Enemy air opposition.

None

B. Observations of crews.

1. At 0926 hours, at Termonde, a large cloud of smoke was seen extending from the ground up to 15,000 feet.
2. At 0927 hours, a large number of boxcars was observed in R.R. yards at St. Nicholas.
3. At Compiegne, 27 barges were counted in canal north of the town.
4. The eastern half of the island of Schouwen, in the fingers of Holland, was reported flooded.
5. Considerable barge activity was seen in the fingers of Holland on course out.
6. At 0841 hours, a large number of cars was observed in R.R. yards at Chauny.

1. At 0819 hours, 4953M - 0143E, a B-17 returning at low altitude was hit by light flak and was seen to crash and burn. Two chutes were observed.
2. At 0922 hours, 5055N - 0410E, a B-17 was apparently hit by flak and was seen to leave its formation and go into a steep glide. One chute was reported.

D. Crew comments and suggestions.

None

 

HEADQUARTERS
486TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
APO 559

26 May 1944

SUBJECT: Report of Operations Officer - Mission of 25 May 1944, Montignies-Sur-Sembre, Belgium.

TO : Commanding Officer, 486th Bombardment Group (H)

1. General Narrative: The 486th Group supplied 2 squadrons of 13 A/C each as "B" group for the day's mission, and take-off was accomplished 0515-0535. instrument ascent above the overcast was made, and the formation completed assembly at 4,000 feet at 0603. Climb to altitude was begun and the formation reached Buncher 22 at 0702 at 15,500 feet headed for the wing assembly point. On arriving at Ipswich on time, the 93rd Wing was found to be directly over our assembly point, and it was necessary for the 486th to maintain a course to the left of scheduled course to avoid them. The 487th Group, in the lead of the 92nd Combat Wing, was not in sight at this time and an attempt to establish radio contact was unsuccessful. Assuming the 487th to be ahead, the 486th formation set a course to Splasher #7 trying to cut them off. When contact was finally made and it was determined that the 487th was definitely ahead of us, course was set directly to Beachy Head, arriving there at 0754, 6 minutes early. When arriving at Beachy Head, and sighting the 487th coming in from the right, the leader essed the formation several miles out over the channel, allow the 487th to pass, and fell in behind them. Wing assembly was finally completed at 0800, 8 miles out over the channel.

The formation assembly up to this point had been good with the exception of a few stragglers in the low squadron. They caught up before the group assembled with the 487th and a good formation was flown on out over the channel.

The enemy coast was crossed at 0815, 2 miles left of course and the course from the coast to the IP flown as ordered. P-38 fighter escort was in sight at 0831, and before reaching the IP information was received over VHF hem another fighter over the target that visibility was good enough to bomb. Normal interval was taken at the IP at 0900, and the lead bombardiers were able to pick up the target and release bombs. The formations lost 1,000 feet of altitude after bombs away and completed the wing assembly at the rally point at 0914.

The course back to the coast was flown as briefed, and the enemy coast crossed at 0942, 2 miles north of course. Descent to minimum altitude was begun and the English coast crossed at 1021. The formation was over the base at 2500 feet at 1036, and landed 1040-1105.

2. Aircraft Not Attacking·: Twenty six (26) A/C were scheduled, dispatched, and made sorties. There were no abortions.

Eleven (1 1) A/C of the lead squadron got their bombs away. A/C #300 failed to bomb because of linkage malfunction. A/C #680 failed to bomb because the flak curtain interfered with the operation of the salve leaver. Twelve (12) A/C of the low squadron dropped their bombs. A/C #454 failed to drop because of linkage and intervalometer malfunction. See Bombardier's narrative report for complete coverage.

3. Summary of lost Aircraft: there were no aircraft lost in the day's operation.

RICHARD B. UHLE,
Capt. Air Corps.
Operations Officer.