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Hitler's V-1 rockets were terrorizing London and needed immediate attention. Of the 35 Crossbow bases identified for attack, the 492nd drew one near Coubronne (sometimes spelled Corbronne). It was decided to hit the target twice on the same day. Hopefully, when the Germans would come out to begin repairing the damage from the first attack, they wouldn't be expecting a second one. Perhaps, it was hoped, they could be caught out in the open with their equipment. If not, well then at least there would be more damage for them to repair.
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On the morning mission the Group dispatched 11 planes under the command of Major Heaton, the 857th Squadron Commander, who flew in one of the Pathfinders provided. Due to engine problems, four of the planes were forced to abort.
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It's hard to say what the fighter protection was for the 492nd on this mission. But there was plenty of protection buzzing over France. Since there were no Luftwaffe attacks, one can easily say the protection was excellent.
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Since the 8th Air force did lose some planes, there had to be some enemy activity. To our knowledge the 492nd didn't encounter anything worth reporting.
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Like most NoBall missions, the Group drops on the Pathfinder's mark and that's it. Rarely do they have a visual to judge the the results by. This run was no exception.
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Although the 858th Command Staff got their orders to Cheddington, it's possible that their crews still flew this day as the 858th. Of the 11 planes sent up for this mission, 8 of them belonged to the 857th and the other 3 came from the 858th. Those 858th crews were reassigned to different squadrons.
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The V-1 rockets literally introduced a new level of warfare. Raids on the Crossbow targets did not stop the rockets, but did limit the number thrown over the channel. Never during the war was Hitler able to launch any from his bases in northern France. So one could say these raids paid off.
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| Mission Data |
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32
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Date:
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19 Jun 44
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Coubronne, France
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Crossbow
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Aircraft
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Bomb Load
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Tons:
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17
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Type:
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GPs
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Result:
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n/a
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Enemy Action
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Flak:
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n/a
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GAF:
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None
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Counter Action
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Kills:
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0
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492 Casualties
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KIA:
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WIA:
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POW:
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INT:
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