Mission Details for Bois Coquerel (#53)

Briefing

Details

Number: 53
Date: 4/20/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Capt. Garland and Capt. Stann
Crews Briefed: 28
Details: "Crossbow" (German V-1 rocket sites on the Pas de Calais)

Flying Control

Runway: 28
Engines: 1520 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan28.jpg
Taxi: 1535
Take Off: 1550
E.T.R.: 2013
Notes: This was an afternoon mission. Briefing took place at 1330 hours, and all 28 aircraft were not off until 1620 hours. All operational aircraft except the two lost in action were back by 2102 hours.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 28
Lost Over Continent: 2
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The Group was organized into "A" and "B" sections, with Capt. W. C. Garland leading the first and Capt. Stann the second. Bombing results ranged from fair to excellent on these difficult targets. Lt. H. R. Briarton, the lead bombardier, was commended by the Commanding Officer of the 94th Combat Wing for the fine results.
Flak was intense and accurate and, because of the haze, all formations made more than one run over the target. Two 401st aircraft were brought down by flak--No. 42-97448, flown by Lt. Charles S. Ksieniewicz, and No. 42-31593, flown by Lt. Frank F. Dougherty. The intensity of the flak is indicated by the fact that, of the 570 8th Air Force bombers over the target, nine were shot down and 345 were battled damaged.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants