467th Bombardment Group Research

D-Day.....The invasion of Nazi occupied France.

In the pre-dawn light, 1,425 bombers were dispatched on 8th AF mission #394 to hit coastal targets in the area of the invasion beaches between Le Havre and Cherbourg. 543 B-24's of the 2nd BD were a part of this large force of bombers.

The first of three missions by the 467th on this day saw 34 aircraft dispatched (plus two PFF ships from another Group) to attack two targets in support of the invasion. Instead of the standard three squadron formation (of 12 aircraft each), the Group flew in six 'Flights' of six aircraft each. Bombing was to be done by "flights in trail" (in a line), three 'Flights' for each target (each target led by a PFF ship).

Both targets were located near Port En Bessin, situated between the Omaha and Gold beachheads. One target was coastal gun positions at Colleville-Sur-Mer. These positions were located behind the Omaha beachhead and were bombed just prior to the US troops landing ashore. The second target was coastal gun positions located in Port En Bessin itself.

The Group started taking off at 0250 hours. Assembly was difficult due to heavy cloud cover, inclement weather and darkness. Only three of the six aircraft 'Flights' were able to assemble as briefed. The aircraft from the other three 'Flights' assembled with other Groups.

The first 'Flight' commander was Lt Col Herzberg, flying with Lt Volk on 42-50309 'Plow Jockey / Tenovus' with crew #030-R0 of the 789th BS. The 'Flight' was lead by a PFF ship from another Group with Lt Hooton onboard. The second 'Flight' was led by Major Holdrege, flying with Lt Sheehan on 42-95273 with crew #061-R0 of the 790th BS. The third 'Flight' was led by Lt Ford flying 42-95057 'Angel' with crew #053-R0 of the 790th BS. These Flights were to attack the targets at Colleville-Sur-Mer.

Major Wallace led the fourth 'Flight', flying with Lt Swearingen on 42-94910 with crew #078-R0 of the 791st BS. This 'Flight' was led by a PFF ship from another Group with Lt Seiler onboard. The fifth 'Flight' was led by Lt Tormoen on 42-95237 'Normandy Queen' with crew #085-R1 of the 791st BS. The sixth 'Flight' was led by Lt Harris on 42-95004 'The Honey Wagon' with crew #029-R0 of the 789th BS. These 'Flights' were to attack targets in Port En Bessin.

16 aircraft, plus the 2 PFF ships, did drop their bombs on targets through 10/10 cloud cover. Only one aircraft, plus the PFF ship, from 1st 'Flight' dropped on target. No aircraft from 2nd 'Flight dropped on target. Again, only one from the 3rd 'Flight' dropped on target. Two aircraft, plus the PFF ship, from the 4th 'Flight dropped on target. The 5th 'Flight had two aircraft drop on target and the 6th 'Flight' had three aircraft drop on target. The other ships returned to base with their bombs. The results were unobserved (due to cloud cover).

While flak was encountered, there were no casualties and no aircraft lost. No enemy fighters were encountered.