Mission Details for Saint-Lo (#116)

Briefing

Details

Number: 116
Date: 7/25/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Maj. L. Stann
Crews Briefed: 39
Details: Tactical targets

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0715 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0730
Take Off: 0745
E.T.R.: 1239
Notes: Briefing took place at 0415 hours, and all 39 operational aircraft were off by 0811. One aircraft landed at 0817 with an engine out and took a ground spare. All operational ships had returned by 1311 hours.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 39
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: This was the second successive tactical mission in support of American ground troops, which began a major offensive the following day. The 401st put up three Boxes comprising the 94th Combat Wing "A" unit. Fragment bombs were used, and strike photos indicated that bombs dropped by the Lead and Low Boxes were around the area of the MPI. The High Box returned with its bombs because it could not recognize the MPI. Unfortunately, as with the previous tactical mission, bombs dropped by the 8th Air Force heavy bombers killed and wounded a number of American troops.
The formation met with moderate and fairly accurate flak, and six Group aircraft received minor battle damage.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants