Mission Details for Montbartier (#100)

Briefing

Details

Number: 100
Date: 6/25/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Lt. Col. W.T. Seawell
Crews Briefed: 36
Details: Buried Oil Storage Dumps

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0410 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0425
Take Off: 0440
E.T.R.: 1420
Notes: Briefing took place at 0115 hours, and all 36 operational aircraft were airborne by 0506 hours. Three returning aircraft had problems in landing: one landed with an engine feathered and a flat tail wheel tire; the left landing gear of a second aircraft collapsed after landing; and a third landed about 25 feet clear of the runway. No one was injured in these incidents. All aircraft but one had returned by 1605 hours.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 36
Lost Over Continent: 1
Lost Other: 0
Summary: This historic 100th mission was one of the longest yet flown by the 401st. The Group formed three Boxes of the 94th Combat Wing "B" formation. On the way into France the Group ran into heavy flak over the Normandy beaches, resulting in the loss of Lt. J. W. Myretetus and his crew, flying B-17 No. 42-97811, which took a direct hit. The lead ship, "Old Ironsides" was also hit by shrapnel, a piece smashing the nose plexiglas, despite which it continued on to the target and returned.
On the return the Group was forced to fly extremely low beneath low clouds over the Bay of Biscay. While skimming the waves, one aircraft was forced to pull up quickly to avoid a large wave, causing its tail to hit the lead ship amidships. Despite this impact, both aircraft were able by skillful handling to make it back to England, very much bent and battered.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants