Mission

Twenty crews were awakened for the next mission through out the squadron areas across Thorpe Abbotts. Those inquisitive pilots who wanted to know how much fuel was being loaded, were told 'maximum fuel loads' and they knew then they'd be flying a long mission.

With breakfast being swallowed just barely past midnight, the lead crews were briefed at 0130 hours. With all crews checked in for the main briefing at 0300 hours, they soon learned that they would be flying to southwestern France where their Primary target would be the Corme-Ècluse airfield, ten miles east of Royan in the Nouvelle-Acquitaine region. Their Secondary would be a tactical target located in Bouchemaine, south of Angers on the Loire River.

Flying third in the Division column, after the 45B CBW, the 13CBW would fly its Wing formation led by the 390BG. The 100BG would fly as its High group and the 95BG as its Low.

Scanning the formation sheets, the pilots noted their positions: Major Emberson would fly as Command Pilot with Richard Helmick. Completing the Lead element would be Woodall and Cumming with William Terminello leading the 2nd element with Gustafson and Gallagher. The High squadron would be led by Giles (also designated Deputy Wing Leader) with David and Jones as his wingmen. Henry Rosine would lead the High squadron’s 2nd element with Kasselbaum and Brewer. Eichen would lead the Low squadron with Harding and Allen along with Townsend in the 2nd element lead with Williams and Kemp. Smith and Elbel would fly as the spares.

The B17s had been loaded with ten 500 lb bombs and the maximum amount of fuel the tanks could hold. With take-off at 0515 hours, the Group and Wing assembly was uneventful although Kemp and Kassebaum failed to take off, causing the spare aircraft flown by Smith and Elbel to take their positions.

Fortunately, on the route in, flak was only seen once at 0848 hours, put up by Nantes’ defenses. Clouds were 10/10 everywhere except at the target, where only a medium haze obscured visibility. With the flak at the target low and to the right of the formation, bombs were successfully away at 0927 hours from 18000 feet.

The route home however, was altered due to changing weather conditions. High stratus clouds forced the formations to deviate west of the briefed course. Upon landing back at Thorpe Abbotts, only Williams’ B17 was missing. According to Townsend, his left wingman, Williams, fell behind the formation, dropping down to 10000’ altitude. He was seen with all engines running under no apparent duress. With relief, Williams would bring his Fortress and crew safely back to base later.

Twenty-two year old pilot William Terminello, was tired after the long mission. “Was a damn long mission, about 9.45 hours and we were dead tired when we got home. There was very little flak and no fighters, so it was a milk run as far as planes being shot down.

With new orders coming into Headquarters late that afternoon, a pre-briefing for lead crews was held at 2345 hours with the main briefing scheduled for just after the new day opened.