Target: NoBall #22 and #62 - 13 February 1944 - Mission #37

A Group party was held the evening of 12 February but luckily the crews were able to sleep late because the mission warning order was not received until 0935 hours. Briefings for 24 aircrews were held and aircraft took off beginning at 1225 hours. The 579th Sqdn was leading.

According to Capt James N. McFadden's Narrative of Operations, the 392nd "crossed the enemy coast at 1456 at 14,000 feet and five miles behind the lead section of the 44th Group. At that time the Initial Point (IP) signal was called over VHF, flares were fired and bomb bay doors were opened. Considerable flak was experienced from Dieppe but few ships received holes. The sections split up at this point going to their respective targets. No more flak was experienced by the lead section but the second section ran into flak in their target area. No enemy fighters were seen... Twelve ships crossed the target in each block."

NoBall target #22 was the constructional works at Raye-Sur-Authie, France. Ten a/c dropped 117 500-pound General Purpose bombs there from 14,400 feet. Early photographs showed a good close pattern over the central area of the target; in fact, the majority of bombs fell within 1,000 feet of the target center.

NoBall target #62 was the constructional works at Petit Bois and Tillencourt, France. Twelve a/c dropped 144 500-pound General Purpose bombs on Target #62 from 13,000 feet. Preliminary photos showed a scattered pattern mostly to the northwest of target with one load of bombs landing directly in the center of the target area. The majority of bombs fell within 2,000 feet of the target.

No enemy fighters were encountered, but flak caused minor damage to 12 ships. One man was killed in action.

After this mission, a bad weather period settled in over East Anglia with low overcasts, snow and poor visibility's which curtailed bomber operations. During the period, the Group was visited by General Hodges of the 2nd Bombardment Division and General Leon Johnson, the 14th Combat Wing Commander, on an inspection tour. The Group units and activities reportedly "passed inspection with flying colors" on 17 February.

CASUALTIES NOT LISTED IN MACR

S/SGT Dickison, William G. (G) 579th KIA

S/Sgt Dickison was flying with 2/Lt Kubale's aircrew. According to a diary kept by 2/Lt John J. Sullivan (navigator on 2/Lt Hammond's crew in the same squadron), Dickison fell into the Channel while trying to release a bomb that had hung up. His body was never recovered, so his name is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery. He had been awarded one Air Medal and the Purple Heart. S/Sgt Dickison's home of record was New York State.

CREW LOADING LIST - MISSION #37