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Operation Crossbow was the focus of the day. The 492nd drew a morning target near Crepy, France. The Group put up 11 ships for the effort to be led by a Pathfinder plane from the 44th BG. Captain Grettum led the mission riding with the Pathfinder.
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During assembly, the F Haag Crew 611 discovered an oil leak on their plane. Their problem was compounded when their interphone went out. They were forced to abort the milk run.
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The quick run across the Channel had plenty of fighter cover.
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The Luftwaffe didn't even try to stop the morning armadas. The only resistance encountered was from the coastal batteries, which soon became targets for the escort fighters.
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Like most Crossbow missions, the Group laid their bombs where the Pathfinder told them to, though the results were unobserved.
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The Group deserved an easy day. They were still in the process of reorganizing after their huge loss suffered two days ago. Fortunately, Captain Testa was still around to help.
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This day was Captain Testa's first mission as an aircraft commander. Testa was a highly skilled pilot who had been serving in the 858th command staff. He had been with the Group from the beginning. When the 858th staff was marked for transfer, he put in for reassignment within the Group. He was made the pilot of replacement crew R-13. This all happened before the Politz mission. As things turned out, his valuable experience and leadership was needed now more than ever. It was a lucky break for the Group and the 857th that he had stayed.
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| Mission Data |
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37
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Date:
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22 Jun 44
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Crepy, 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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26
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Type:
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n/a
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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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Light
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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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