First Combat Missions, February 1944, 391st Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

First Combat Missions

During the early part of February 1944, the remaining crews of the air echelon reached AAF Station 166, where those who had arrived earlier were busily engaged in preparations for offensive bombing operations. Planes were given additional modifications, and combat crews were put through an intensive ground school course to prepare them for the missions which lay only a few weeks in the future. A few practice missions were flown over the Midlands and to points in the North Sea. In the meantime, the Group roster was swelled by the addition of 89 Officers and 97 Enlisted Men, for the most part experienced combat crewmen from the 322nd, 323rd, 386th, and 387th Bombardment Groups, all with operational records in the European Theater of Operations.

This warm-up period was crammed with activity for Engineering, Communications, and Administrative sections as well as for the air crews, and the preparatory days ended abruptly on the morning of February 16, when Field Order 202 of the IX Bomber Command ordered the Group to attack Beaumont-Le Roger airdrome in France with 36 B-26's, each carrying six 500 pound general purpose bombs. The mission was begun as scheduled, but weather over France caused a recall. Fighter support was received from Royal Air Force 11 Group, and German gunners supplied a weak showing of flak. Although the penetration of enemy-held France was not to a great depth, air crews on the mission were given credit of sorties.

On February 21, the Group was again ordered to attack Beaumont-Le Roger by IX Bomber Command Field Order 207, the 36 ships loaded with thirty 100 pound general purpose bombs each. This time, a 10/10 cloud cover over the target prevented the attack, and except for a few bombs jettisoned in the English Channel, all were brought back to base.

Two days later, the 23rd, the 391st was to draw its first blood in attacks on enemy territory. IX Bomber Command's Field Order 211 of that day called for 36 of the Group's B-26's to attack the Gilze/Rijen Airdrome in Holland. By this time, most of the combat men were fretting to drop their bombs on the target and when the formation went over enemy territory, three spare ships formed up and tagged along, a practice which was not commended by higher headquarters and hence not practiced on further missions. All thirty-nine of the planes attacked the primary target, the first box dropping from an altitude of 12,000 feet and the second from 11,500.

From the Ninth Bomber Command's summary of operations of the day, the results of the Group's bombing is listed as follows: "Four and possibly five aircraft shelters received direct hits, as well as did several buildings. Reported ammunition dump area near the West dispersal area, had several near misses. Two small buildings in the South West dispersal area appear to have hits or near misses. Several hits made on the South/North Runway."

Ten of the Group's planes suffered battle damage in category A, due to moderate and accurate flak over the target area.

Two missions were ordered on February 25 by IX Bomber Command Field Orders 213 and 215, but both failed to produce the desired results. In the morning the Group set out to attack Cambrai/Epinoy airdrome in France, but no attack was made due to navigational error. The Group had the dubious distinction of "touring" France for forty minutes without fighter escort the pursuits having been forced to head for home due to low gas supply. No enemy fighters put in an appearance. Flak was moderate, but not very accurate. In the afternoon, the Group was ordered to attack special military installations 13 at Le Greseillier, France. No attack was delivered due to 10/10 cloud cover over the target area.

The next mission ordered was by Field Order 216 of the IX Bomber Command, on February 29. The target of the 36 ships was the Rosieres-en-Santerre Airdrome, France. Clouds obscured the target for the first box, but the second box of 18 B-26's spotted the field through a hole in the undercast and delivered three-hundred and three 100-pound general purpose bombs.

Summary of Operations of the IX Bomber Command reported the following results of the attack: "Photos show bombs dropped by second box 1500 yards North of Aiming Point. Concentration of about 30 bursts are seen on and near special railway. Three hits or near misses on an aircraft shelter, another building and other unidentified buildings along the railway."

Mission Reports (6)
February 1944

Feb 15- Mission No. 1: Flight Order 202, 9th Bomber Command, ordered the Group to attack the Beaumont-Le-Roger airfield, France, with 36 B-26s, each carrying six 500 lb bombs. The mission was begun as scheduled, but weather over France caused a recall. Fighter support was received from RAF II Group and German gunners supplied a weak showing of flak. Although the penetration into enemy held France was not in great depth, aircrew on the mission were given credit for sorties.

Feb 21- Mission No. 2: The Group was again ordered to attack Beaumont-Le-Roger by the 9th BC, F/O 207. 36 planes, loaded with 30 100 lb bombs each were dispatched, this time a 10/10 cloud cover prevented the attack, and, except for a few bombs jettisoned in the English Channel, all were brought back to base.

Feb 23- Mission No 3: The 391st was to draw its first blood over enemy territory. 9th BC, F/O 211 of that day, called for 36 of the Group's planes to attack the Gilze/Rijon airfield in Holland. By this time most of the crews were fretting to drop their bombs on the target and when the planes went over enemy territory, 3 spare ships formed up and tagged along, a practice which was not commended by higher HQ and hence not practiced on future missions. All 39 of the planes attacked the primary target. The 1st box dropping from an altitude of 12,000 ft and the 2nd from 11,500. From the 9th AF summary of operations for the day, the results of the Group's bombing is listed as follows: "4 and possibly 5 aircraft standings were hit, as well as were several buildings, the ammunition dump, reported near the W dispersal area had several near misses. 2 small buildings on the SW dispersal seem to have hits or near-misses. Several hits made on the N runway." 10 of the group's planes suffered bomb damage, category A due to moderate and accurate flak over the target area. S/Sgt Roy J. McKinney wounded.

Feb 25- Missions No 4 & 5: Under F/O 213 the Group was sent to attack Cambrai/Epinoy airdrome in France, but no attack was made due to navigational error, the Group having the dubious distinction of touring France for 40 minutes without fighter escort, the pursuits having been forced to head for home due to low gas supply. No enemy fighters put in an appearance and flak was moderate but not very accurate. In the afternoon, under F/O 215, the Group was ordered to attack special military installations at Le Greseillier, France. No attack was delivered due to 10/10 cloud cover over the target area.

Feb 29- Mission No 6: Under F/O 215, the target for 36 ships was the Rosieres-en-Santerre airdrome, France. Clouds obscured the target for the first box, but the 2nd box of 18 B-26s spotted the field through a hole in the undercast and delivered 303 100 lb GP bombs. Summary of operations of 9th BC reported the following results of the attack: "bombs of 2nd box 1500 yds N of aiming point. Concentrations of about 30 bursts seen on or near, special railway. 4 hits, or near-misses on an aircraft shelter and on other, unidentified, buildings along the railway." 2nd Lt. Warren E. Petersen wounded.