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Back to Mission 37 Mission 38 — Thursday, 22 Jun 44 — St Cyr Forward to Mission 39
Mission 38
During the afternoon the 14th Wing was ordered to hit an airfield at St Cyr located on the Britagne (Brittany) Peninsula. This was to insure that the Luftwaffe couldn't use it against the troops in Normandy. The 492nd could only put up 6 planes. The bulk of the armada was supplied by the 44th and 392nd BGs. The Group assembled under the leadership of the Johnson Crew 903. None of the planes aborted.
Date Discrepancy
Several sources list this mission as having been flown on the 23rd, as opposed to the 22nd of June. We believe the correct date to indeed be the 22nd. For an explanation as to why we're sticking with this date, see the "Mission Numbering Controversy" link to the right and scroll down to "Mission 38, Wrong Date".
Fighter Protection
The Wing had good protection both to and from the target. Not one enemy aircraft was sighted.
Enemy Resistance
Flak was severe over the target. We believe that at least one of planes suffered some flak damage. The 392nd reported 13 of their planes had flak damage.
Bombsight
Cloud cover made the visual aiming difficult. Only 4 of the planes were able to drop their bombs. The other 2 couldn't because of a mechanical failure in their bomb racks. The Wing was able to hit their target with fair results, though.
Epilogue
Back to back milk runs was just what the Group needed. However, these trips can be just as dangerous as any. The 8th Air Force lost a total of 10 heavy bombers that same day doing just that. And tomorrow's milk run would claim another crew in the 492nd.
Mission Data
Mission: 38
Date: 22 Jun 44
City: St Cyr, France
Target: Airfield
Aircraft
DIS:
6
Abort:
0
ATT:
4
RTB:
6
Lost:
0
PFF:
0
Bomb Load
Tons: 12
Type: 500 lb GPs
Result: Fair
Enemy Action
Flak: Heavy
GAF: None
Counter Action
Kills: 0
492nd Casualties
KIA:
0
WIA:
0
POW:
0
INT:
0
More Info
This mission's impact
on the overall war
Essay on the
perplexing mission
numbering puzzle
492ndBombGroup.com — an Arnett Institute project
Page last modified Thursday, May 11, 2017.