September
1944
Bombing was suspended
from August 30 through September 9 in order for the group to perform
the "grocery run", as tons of food and medicine were delivered
to France. The group commander, Colonel Jacob Brogger, was injured by
an explosive bullet while flying a misssion over Holland. As a result,
he was relieved of command and replaced by Colonel Troy Crawford. Buzz
bombs began flying over the base fairly regularly, with none making
a direct hit. 14 men who had been shot down and evaded capture made
their way back to base.
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Early
September: The Grocery Run
Tons of food and medicine were ferried to the recently liberated people
of France. Empty bombers left the base and were filled with provisions
at a base in southern England. They were then flown to the airfield
in Orleans, which lay in ruins after bombardment by the same bombers.
The field was in such bad shape that army engineers had to rebuild the
runways before planes could land. The crews flew at treetop level in
order to see the results of their previous work. All around them were
wrecked gliders, destroyed factories and bridges, and towns in ruins.
The crews were met with open arms by the French citizens, who unloaded
the planes. Photos
September
10: Heilbronn
The rail yards were attacked, with fair results. "Rough Buddy"
(42-95390) was hit by flak and went down, killing 9 crewmen with 1 more
taken prisoner. Photo
September
12: Kiel
36 planes bombed a jet engine plant with good results.
September
13: Ulm
No bombs were dropped on this target, so the group instead bombed the
marshalling yards at Heilbronn.
September
18: Supply drop, Nijmegen, Holland
Gasoline, food, and ammunition were dropped to the ground troops, which
had just parachuted into the area. The group commander, Colonel Jacob
Brogger, was injured by an explosive bullet and was sent home. Photos
September
21: Koblenz
The crews were unable to see the signal given by the PFF plane and,
as a result, missed the target by about a mile. One plane, "T.S."
(42-110071), was hit by flak and crash landed at Bredfield airbase,
killing all 10 on board. It was the crew's first mission. Photo
September
22: Kassel
22 planes bombed the marshalling yards through heavy clouds, with unobserved
results. Flak was intense, but inaccurate.
September
25: Koblenz
33 planes bombed, but it is believed they were well short of the target.
September
26: Hamm
29 planes attacked the marshalling yards, with fair results. 2 planes
and crew were lost. "Temptation" (42-50477) received multiple
flak hits and all 11 crewmen were taken prisoner. It was supposed to
be their last mission. "Lil' Max" (42-100347) was hit by flak.
2 crewmen were killed, 4 were taken prisoner, and 5 evaded capture.
Photos
September
27: Kassel
27 planes attacked the locomotive works with unobserved results. 10
propaganda bombs were also dropped.
September
28: Kassel
27 planes bombed for a second day. The group saw 7 enemy jet fighters.
September
30: Hamm
26 planes dropped 500 pounders and propaganda bombs, with unobserved
results.
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