Miscellaneous Items of the 467th BG(H)

"Truckin' Operations"

During September 44 the Group commenced a 14 day period of ferrying operations, carrying much needed "gas" to two airfields in France to build up the supply for the ground troops fighting on the western front. Men from the Group were assigned to France to perform the necessary duties in connection with truckin' operations. First airfield was Orleans/Bricy south of Paris, but this base was soon changed to Clastres airfield near St. Quentin, and it was here that most of the Group's planes flew.

For carrying the gasoline to to France, a number of war weary aircraft from other Groups in addition to the 467th's own ships were employed. A skeleton crew was used and at first, the gasoline was carried in five-gallon cans and these were unloaded by the crew at the destination. Later this problem was soon resolved with the establishment of a pumping station at Clastres and the installation of bomb-bay tanks and P-47 belly tanks in the planes. 

There was no accommodation at Clastres and the crews slept in tents on the airfield. On the whole the "truckin' operations" afforded pleasure to the crews and enabled them to visit local towns recently liberated. Many of the crews returned with souvenirs of their trips to France.

  

Pictured are members of the 788th Lt. Pease crew at Clastres engaged in make shift cooking arrangements. See also Photo Gallery Six for other Group aircraft pictured during "truckin' operations".