Planes I Flew In

lie ahead for us -- and we were prepared.

As for #639, the records show that it flew a total of 16 combat missions, from

May 8 to July 19, when it was transferred to the 2nd Division of the 8th Air Force.

A brief explanation is in order. During the last part of July, the 486th, plus four other bomb groups, were switched from B 24's to B 1 7's. Our Liberators were transferred to the 2nd Division -- all flying B 24's.

B 24: #639

May 9, 1944

Today's target was an airfield at Laon, France. We continued bombing airfields, bridges, and railroad yards in France, in preparation for the planned invasion (the exact date was still unknown to us).

On the bomb run, some of the planes lost their bomb bay doors (including us) when their load was released. Our Group had its first fatality when a fellow bombardier (Lt. Schuengel) was trying to replace the pins in the bombs that didn't release, making them safe for landing. We were flying over England when the tragedy occurred. Somehow, he must have slipped and fell out the open bomb bay. He was not wearing a parachute. We bombardiers never wore our chest packs when making our way through the bomb bay because of the tight quarters.

It was the last time we flew #639, a good plane. Wonder what happened to it?

B 24: #760 “Lady Lightnin’”

May 23, 1944

Target for today was another airfield -- at Etampes, France. We flew a different plane today. A decision was made to put the planes flown by the lead crews in a special block and assign them from this list. Fred, as well as the other pilots, weren't too happy about the decision. You become attached to a plane after the many hours of flying and build up a trust in it.

Poor visibility forced us to make a dry run and come around a second time. This was something we dreaded as it gave the German gunners a better chance to zero in on us. Fortunately, we had no loses today.

As for, #760, "Lady Lightnin' " -- the records show that it flew 30 combat missions between May 9 to July 21 -- when it was recorded as being removed from active duty by a, "traffic accident". (?)

B 2 4: #300

June 6, 1944 (D-Day)

This was the day the Allies had been planning for -- the Normandy Invasion. The '486th flew three combat missions today --- but unfortunately, we never dropped a bomb. The weather over our targets on the first two morning missions prevented the bombardiers from making a successful bomb run. They had to bring their bombs back to the base.

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