Mission Date: June 26, 1943
Le MANS, AERO ENGINES
Mission Summary
ON THIS DAY…JUNE 26,1943
The next day, the assigned crews and spares were seated for the 100BG’s second mission briefing. Under Field Order #13, they were briefed for a primary and secondary target of the Gnome and Rhone Works located at Le Mans, France. The 4th Bombardment Wing would fly the 401st Combat Wing as the lead wing, led by the 94BG. The 402nd CBW would follow and be lead by the 95BG, with the 100BG again in last place.
After the 1600 take-off, the 95BG and 100BG formed into the 402nd CBW over Thorpe Abbotts, then proceeded to Splasher 7 where they fell in behind the 401st.
Leaving Splasher 7, the bad weather conditions over England again proved a challenge for the pilots trying to maintain their position in the formations. Through the heavy overcast, the Groups attempted their climb individually to Beachy Head where the 94BG and 96BG were ten to fifteen minutes late and unable to locate each other as they continued to fly across the water within sight of the French Coast. The 95BG and 100BG in the 402nd CBW, arrived at Beachy Head at 9000 feet and twenty minutes late. Unable to locate the lead Wing, at mid-channel they turned for home at 1810 hours, arriving back to base at 2003 hours.
Eventually reaching the French Coast, the 96BG would also turn back due to a lack of aircraft in their formation.
Red Bowman would record into his diary, “Once more the formation turned back before reaching the target. Some of the crews reported bad weather. Others maintained that the weather was good - visibility unlimited. These crews said they had no idea why the leader turned back. Many of them were bitter in their disappointment. The repeated failure to carry through and land a punch is getting to be an old and disagreeable story. All crew returned.”
Colonel LeMay’s mission critique read, “As has happened frequently in the past, weather conditions were again the determining factor in the lack of success of this mission. It is believed that the handicap of weather might partially be over come, if it were possible to give each crew intensive training in ascent and descent through the overcast. The time available for training newly arrived crews is strictly limited however, making it necessary to concentrate on the even more important subjects of formation flying, AFCE, bombing and gunnery.
The small number of abortives on this mission, a total of only two, is very gratifying. It reflects the untiring efforts of Group Commanders and their staffs to reduce the number of aircraft that failed to take-off and returned early. The entire Division may well be proud of this record. Curtis E. LeMay”
Known crews and men to fly that day:
Barker, Barr, Biddick, Blakely, Brady, Braley, Carey, Carnell, Claytor, Cruickshank, DeSanders, Duncan, Dye, Egan, Flesh, Fuller, Kidd, Kiessling, King, Knight, Knox, Oakes, Pearson, Swartout, Turner Sam, Van Noy, Woodward
The next day, the assigned crews and spares were seated for the 100BG’s second mission briefing. Under Field Order #13, they were briefed for a primary and secondary target of the Gnome and Rhone Works located at Le Mans, France. The 4th Bombardment Wing would fly the 401st Combat Wing as the lead wing, led by the 94BG. The 402nd CBW would follow and be lead by the 95BG, with the 100BG again in last place.
After the 1600 take-off, the 95BG and 100BG formed into the 402nd CBW over Thorpe Abbotts, then proceeded to Splasher 7 where they fell in behind the 401st.
Leaving Splasher 7, the bad weather conditions over England again proved a challenge for the pilots trying to maintain their position in the formations. Through the heavy overcast, the Groups attempted their climb individually to Beachy Head where the 94BG and 96BG were ten to fifteen minutes late and unable to locate each other as they continued to fly across the water within sight of the French Coast. The 95BG and 100BG in the 402nd CBW, arrived at Beachy Head at 9000 feet and twenty minutes late. Unable to locate the lead Wing, at mid-channel they turned for home at 1810 hours, arriving back to base at 2003 hours.
Eventually reaching the French Coast, the 96BG would also turn back due to a lack of aircraft in their formation.
Red Bowman would record into his diary, “Once more the formation turned back before reaching the target. Some of the crews reported bad weather. Others maintained that the weather was good - visibility unlimited. These crews said they had no idea why the leader turned back. Many of them were bitter in their disappointment. The repeated failure to carry through and land a punch is getting to be an old and disagreeable story. All crew returned.”
Colonel LeMay’s mission critique read, “As has happened frequently in the past, weather conditions were again the determining factor in the lack of success of this mission. It is believed that the handicap of weather might partially be over come, if it were possible to give each crew intensive training in ascent and descent through the overcast. The time available for training newly arrived crews is strictly limited however, making it necessary to concentrate on the even more important subjects of formation flying, AFCE, bombing and gunnery.
The small number of abortives on this mission, a total of only two, is very gratifying. It reflects the untiring efforts of Group Commanders and their staffs to reduce the number of aircraft that failed to take-off and returned early. The entire Division may well be proud of this record. Curtis E. LeMay”
Known crews and men to fly that day:
Barker, Barr, Biddick, Blakely, Brady, Braley, Carey, Carnell, Claytor, Cruickshank, DeSanders, Duncan, Dye, Egan, Flesh, Fuller, Kidd, Kiessling, King, Knight, Knox, Oakes, Pearson, Swartout, Turner Sam, Van Noy, Woodward
Bombing Results
Bombing Results: ABORT/WEATHR
Aircraft Lost: 0
Crew Lost: 0
Claims of Enemy Losses (CLS): 0
Aircraft Returned:
