31 December 1943 Cognac Airfield


Posted:
By: Jacques Leroux
On: 02/28/2005
Who could give me some details about Mission 171 when the 401st flew as a High Squadron of the 94th CW ? Axis of attack, time of the release and bombs dropped ?
The secondary target was Cognac-Chateaubernard Airfield after the primary Bordeaux-Merignac Airfield was overcast.
Is it possible to have the coordinates of the I.P. ?
Thanks by advance
Jacques

Re: 31 December 1943 Cognac Airfield


Posted:
By: Win Bryson
On: 02/28/2005
Jacques:

This Website lists the Dec.31,'43 Cognac Mission as #10 (Mersberg is listed as #171, in 1944).

I think your 'best shot' to find such detailed information (if available at all), is in the original 401BG Mission Reports that are on file in the National Archives and Records Administration.

There are several ways to contact them:
1. Use their www.nara.gov Web-site, and 'contact us' E-mail form; or
2. Write a letter with your request to:
National Archives II
Textual Ref. Branch, 2nd floor
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, Md. 20740

In either case, they will reply identifying what (if any) information you requested is available, costs for copies, and any other instructions or limitations.

I have found that the amount and detail of Mission Report information varies from mission to mission, so that the highly detailed information you seek may or may not be available, particularly for early missions.

Regardless, it is worth asking. Good luck.

Win Bryson  
  

Re: 31 December 1943 Cognac Airfield


Posted:
By: Jacques Leroux
On: 03/06/2005
Win,

Thanks a lot for your answer. I saw the information about 31 December Mission on your Website (Very interesting site, clear and complete, a "gold mine" for a searcher as I). I purchased one year ago at Maxwell AFB two reels microfilms concerning 31 December Mission. I thought that one or two former 401st BG members could give me some "First hand" information about this mission. This one was exceptional because several CW were over the target area in same time, their primary target (Bordeaux A/F, La Rochelle A/F being overcast by low clouds.
Thanks again for your help and congratulations for your site.

Jacques