The 14th Combat Wing teletype ordered the 392nd "to lead 14th CW with all available a/c forming two sections with the second section stepped up. 44th to fly stepped up and to the right of the 392nd and to furnish all available a/c forming two sections with second section stepped up. Second sections of both Groups to be composed of a lead squadron Javelin down, with the second squadron echeloned right and down." The 392nd BG formation took off at 1250 hours and assembled in two twelve-ship formations. The 44th BG was flying a position high and to the right and trailing the 392nd by about five miles. At mid-channel, the Lead Block and the Low Block of the 392nd separated and headed for their individual targets. (The 576th and 577th Squadrons were assigned NoBall Target #52 while the 578th and 579th were assigned NoBall Target #101.)
The lead section of the Lead Block located and bombed the target with good results. The second section was following so closely behind that the leader was unable to make an individual run, and he decided to hold his bombs and make a second run. However, through a misunderstanding, the Deputy Leader dropped on the lead section and the remainder of the ships in the second section dropped on this Deputy Leader. The leader of the second section turned and made a second run, and dropped his bombs on this run. The two sections were able to reassemble after bombing and returned to the base over the same route as that on the inbound course.
The second block formation was assigned to the other target and broke formation with the Lead Block when the French coast was sighted. The lead bombardier had difficulty in locating the target but finally located it in time to make a 20-second run. The second section of this second block was trailing by about a one-mile interval and failed to sight the target on the first run. This section made a second run after a 180o turn and bombed an unidentified target that had just been bombed by the B-17s.
Capt Madison A. Veazey was lead bombardier for two boxes of aircraft, eight ships in the lead box and six in the second box. Thirteen of his aircraft were loaded with 12 M64 500-pound General Purpose bombs while aircraft #979 had only six M64 bombs. All 162 bombs were dropped on Target #101. Preliminary interpretation of photos showed good bombing was done by the 579th Sqdn and fair bombing by the 578th.
1/Lt Ralpt T. Amoss was lead bombardier for another 13 aircraft, each loaded with 12 M64 500-pound bombs. The bomb rack in #42-7560 malfunctioned and brought its bombs back. The other planes dropped 69 bombs on Target #52 and 84 on an unidentified target. The 576th Squadron did fair bombing and the 577th Squadron's results were poor.
Three Me-109s and four FW-190s were encountered, but no attacks were made. One aircraft was damaged by flak.
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14 Jan 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 511 |
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P Connery, W.R. 1st Lt. CP Cooper, R.W. 2nd Lt. N Porter, C.V. 2nd Lt. B Feldman, A. 1st Lt. B Breck, J.H. Jr. 2nd Lt. E Heller, L.M. T/Sgt. R Shilling, R.E. T/Sgt. AE Leibow, G. S/Sgt. AR Allen, I.M. S/Sgt. AG Glende, B.I. S/Sgt. G Smith, J.W. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 560 |
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P Hestad, E.A. 2nd Lt. CP Madden, T.E. F/O N Freeman, G.L. 2nd Lt. B Reynolds, D.W. 2nd Lt. E Finley, G. S/Sgt. R Folda, G. T/Sgt. AE Slagle, C.I. S/Sgt. AR Twitchell, F.O. S/Sgt. AG Troup, D.L. S/Sgt. G Wilson, L. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 129 |
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P Miller, H.W. 1st Lt. CP Hurd, E.A. 2nd Lt. N Murray, F.P. 2nd Lt. B Greene, D.R. 2nd Lt. E Megenhardt, J.F. T/Sgt. R Mallamaci, J.T. T/Sgt. AE McCombs, A.D. S/Sgt. AR Lorine, J.R. S/Sgt. AG Wheeler, M. S/Sgt. G Rausch, T.A. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 938 |
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P Neff, C.L. 2nd Lt. CP Simpson, H.L. 2nd Lt. N Smith, C.W. 2nd Lt. B Hadeka, A.A. 2nd Lt. E Benham, C.E. S/Sgt. R Diaz, C.A. S/Sgt. AE Beaulieu, J.F. S/Sgt. AR Hale, J.L. S/Sgt. AG Walter, C.D. Sgt. G Overholt, H.R. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 492 |
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P Lowell, C.L. 1st Lt. CP Patterson, J.B. 2nd Lt. N McShane, W.F. 1st Lt. N McDonald, L.F. 2nd Lt. B Amoss, R.T. 1st Lt. E Decker, C.D. T/Sgt. R Connolly, M.T. T/Sgt. AE Jackson, B.F. S/Sgt. AR Nelson, A.W. S/Sgt. AG McNamara, P.E. S/Sgt. G Luciano, R.E. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 435 |
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P Cox, T.J. 2nd Lt. CP Halsworth, R.J. 2nd Lt. N Bicher, R.F. Jr. 2nd Lt. B Haglund, G.L. 2nd Lt. E Martin, M. S/Sgt. R Mitchell, R.J. S/Sgt. AE Meshon, M. S/Sgt. AR Pryce, R.J. Sgt. AG Sicard, N. S/Sgt. G Helbing, R.N. Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 976 |
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P Johns, M.T. 1st Lt. CP Henderson, M.A. 2nd Lt. N Silvasy, F.A. 2nd Lt. B Sriver, E.R. 2nd Lt. E Indahl, J.M. T/Sgt. R Gressler, E.J. T/Sgt. AE Przeniczny, W. S/Sgt. AR Riley, A.J. S/Sgt. AG Zerangue, F.A. S/Sgt. G Sanchez, I.V. S/Sgt. Mezo, C.L. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 005 |
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P Usry, W.F. 2nd Lt. CP Turner, D.L. 2nd Lt. N Snyder, R.D. 2nd Lt. B Floyd, C.E. 2nd Lt. E Morr, R.J. T/Sgt. R Howard, R.E. T/Sgt. AE Matta, I.D. S/Sgt. AR Dunlap, V.M. S/Sgt. AG Matthews. A.D. S/Sgt. G Horowitz, G. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 495 |
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P Copp, R.D. 1st Lt. CP Meyers, J.W. 1st Lt. N Gries, R.F. 1st Lt. B Rapenport, R. 1st Lt. E Hodge, G.L. T/Sgt. R Bisnett, B.R. T/Sgt. AE Nowicki, M.M. S/Sgt. AR Buzick, J.M. S/Sgt. AG Hohman, H. S/Sgt. G Long, A.L. 2nd Lt. Noone, T.E. Jr. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 497 |
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P Haffermehl, G.T. 2nd Lt. CP Macmullen, D.H. 2nd Lt. N Parks, K.C. 2nd Lt. B Poppel, S.B. 2nd Lt. E Parker, E.S. S/Sgt. R Beausoleil, L.J. S/Sgt. AE Mitchell, J. Sgt. AR Wagner, F.J. Sgt. AG Harwick, M. Sgt. G Landry, L.H. Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 658 |
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P Egan, R.L. 1st Lt. CP Basham, F.G. 2nd Lt. N Harris, W.B. 2nd Lt. B Gray, W.L. 2nd Lt. E Hurley, W.F. T/Sgt. R Pope, F.B. T/Sgt. AE Hurley, A. S/Sgt. AR Stogner, O.T. S/Sgt. AG Salisbury, J.F. S/Sgt. G Kennedy, B.S. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 546 |
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P Layton, S.H. 1st Lt. CP Kiggins, O.V. 1st Lt. N Donaldson, C.D. 2nd Lt. B Feagan, H.C. 2nd Lt. E Johnson, J.C. T/Sgt. R Gibbs, R.R. T/Sgt. AE Gottschalk, G.W. S/Sgt. AR Daughtry, A.Z. S/Sgt. AG Boomhower, A. S/Sgt. G Constabile, F.R. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 489 |
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P McNichol, T.F. 1st Lt. CP Lamer, M. 2nd Lt. N Naylor, M.W. 2nd Lt. B Wargo, M.A. 2nd Lt. E Trumpy, E. T/Sgt. R Abraham, H.F. S/Sgt. AE Green, L.A. S/Sgt. AR Wensloff, R.W. Sgt. AG Rathburn, E.K. S/Sgt. G Jackson, C.H. Sgt. NT Salsberg, M. 2nd Lt. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 981 |
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P Peterson, C.L. 2nd Lt. CP Vrieling, R.T. F/O N Fremstad, C.L. 2nd Lt. B Brown, E.J. 2nd Lt. E Hinshaw, H.M. S/Sgt. R Rosko, E.M. S/Sgt. AE Harrell, O.L. S/Sgt. AR Hancock, L.G. T/Sgt. AG Masters, E.E. S/Sgt. G Byrd, J.C. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 945 |
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P Sooy, B.L. 2nd Lt. CP Mardis, K.A. 2nd Lt. N Jones, O.R. 2nd Lt. B Schwartz, E.S. 2nd Lt. E Hayes, F.W. S/Sgt. R Terrell, P.J. S/Sgt. AE Serafine, J.M. S/Sgt. AR McBrayer, H.G. Jr. Sgt. AG Dorgan, W.J. Sgt. G McArn, H.W. Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 478 |
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P George, F.A. 1st Lt. CP Stephens, L.M. 2nd Lt. N Sweeney, P.J. 2nd Lt. B Kelly, F.B. 2nd Lt. E Parker, J.D. T/Sgt. R Sweeney, L.F. T/Sgt. AE Ellingson, H.E. S/Sgt. AR Sheppard, W.B. S/Sgt. AG Goodall, W. S/Sgt. G Theodore, R.N. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 466 |
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P Stauder, J.B. 1st Lt. CP McFadden, J.N. Capt. N Haenzi, W.R. 2nd Lt. B Ward, M.E. 2nd Lt. E Kottke, A.H. T/Sgt. R Whitmore, B. T/Sgt. AE White, T. S/Sgt. AR Rider, F.D. S/Sgt. AG Harris, J.N. S/Sgt. G Jones, N.J.E. Jr. S/Sgt. NT Johnson, D.C. 2nd Lt. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 518 |
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P Smith, R.E. 2nd Lt. CP Schilling, J.E. 2nd Lt. N Metz, L. 2nd Lt. B Hopple, H.G. 2nd Lt. E Wooton, W.J. S/Sgt. R Sokol, A.R. S/Sgt. AE Godfrey, L.S. Cpl. AR Heaslet, W.W. S/Sgt. AG Norton, W.J. S/Sgt. G Bertsch, P.J. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 979 |
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P Schildknecht, H.E. 2nd Lt. CP Long, J.D. 2nd Lt. N Hersh, A. 2nd Lt. B Wasowicz, M.V. 2nd Lt. E Sadler, R.S. S/Sgt. R Begley, J.F. S/Sgt. AE Reid, H.A. S/Sgt. AR Reed, B.P. Sr. S/Sgt. AG Reade, G.J. S/Sgt. G Gegere, G.P. Cpl. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 624 |
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P Raschke, W.C. 2nd Lt. CP McCarthy, G.C. 2nd Lt. N Petrozzella, B. 2nd Lt. B Byers W.E. 2nd Lt. E Wagonseller, R.V. S/Sgt. R Krek, B. S/Sgt. AE Davis, R.W. Sgt. AR Rankin, J.H. Sgt. AG Gyure, F. Sgt. G Doub, H. Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 480 |
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P Reade, J.J. 1st Lt. CP Smith, R.L. 2nd Lt. N Planche, M.M. 1st Lt. B Ziccarelli, J.A. 1st Lt. E Edwards, C.E. T/Sgt. R Clark, F. T/Sgt. AE Sikoff, H. S/Sgt. AR Bauer, W.E. S/Sgt. AG Wagner, D.R. S/Sgt. G McGee, R.C. S/Sgt. Schwabel, C.A. T/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 599 |
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CA Gilbert, L.G. Maj. P Everhart, W.C. 1st Lt. CP Sassaman, F.j. 2nd Lt. N Slowik, J.E. Capt. B Veazey, M.A. Capt. E Rinke, A.P. S/Sgt. R Beard, J.W. S/Sgt. AE Northcutt, C.C. S/Sgt. AR Veit, F.L. S/Sgt. AG Fowler, R.G. S/Sgt. G Yarbrough, W.L. S/Sgt. -- Westover. C.B. Col. -- Lowder, L.L. 2nd Lt. |
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14 Jan 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 469 |
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P Stukus, J. 1st Lt. CP Moffat, J.E. 2nd Lt. N Lindlow, R.P. 2nd Lt. B Gentry, L.E. 2nd Lt. E Mattson, W.R. T/Sgt. R Dykes, J.R. T/Sgt. AE Paolantonio, A.L. S/Sgt. AR Rosati, L.P. S/Sgt. AG McCrary, J.E. S/Sgt. G McGinley, W.C. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 484 |
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CA Keilman, M.H. Maj. P Kubale, E.W. 2nd Lt. CP -- N McDade, J.J. 2nd Lt. B White, E.I. 1st Lt. B Kennedy, T. 1st Lt. E Kjelshus, E.H. T/Sgt. R Zimpelman, J.G. T/Sgt. AE York, R.M. S/Sgt. AR McGowan, W.J. Sgt. AG Reilly, B.S. S/Sgt. G O'Neill, F.L. Sgt. Dickson, J.W. 1st Lt. |
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14 Jan 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 570 |
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P Stewart, J.M. 2nd Lt. CP Randall, S.B. 2nd Lt. N Wheeler, B.J. 2nd Lt. B Wilcox, D.R. 2nd Lt. E Chapman, L.F. S/Sgt. R Stricker, D.A. S/Sgt. AE Sands, R.D. Sgt. AR Cobb, C.J. S/Sgt. AG LaBonte, F.J. S/Sgt. G Luchak, A. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 529 |
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P Baumgart, V.A. 1st Lt. CP Cordes, W.C. 1st Lt. N McGuire, W.C. 2nd Lt. B Stupski, S.J. 2nd Lt. E Smith, D.L. T/Sgt. R Kiss, J. T/Sgt. AE Davis, H. T/Sgt. AR Yost, J.W. S/Sgt. AG Money, J.A. S/Sgt. G Fons, J.P. S/Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 472 |
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P Peyton, J.B. 2nd Lt. CP Rueffer, A.P. 2nd Lt. N Richards, D.U. 2nd Lt. B DeMontier, H.E. 2nd Lt. B Chatten, J.F. 1st Lt. E Smith, O.L. T/Sgt. R Connor, D. Jr. S/Sgt. AE Pyecroft, E.J. S/Sgt. AR LaVick, K.C. S/Sgt. AG Bass, R.T. Jr. S/Sgt. G Maylander, N. Sgt. |
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14 Jan 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 127 |
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P Spartage, G. 2nd Lt. CP Kern, R.B. 2nd Lt. N Tauskey, W.A. 2nd Lt. B Campbell, R.A. 2nd Lt. E Burns, R.N. T/Sgt. R Castle, O.D. S/Sgt. AE Warren, O.J. S/Sgt. AR Helmke, E.F. S/Sgt. AG Ridgeway, J.W. S/Sgt. G Riedlinger, A.J. S/Sgt. |
