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The 492nd drew the Laon/Athies airfield near Juvincourt, France. By this time the Group had time to lick its wounds and was able to put 24 ships in the air. A couple of the planes had to abort due to engine trouble, but 22 were able to go on to target, led by the Konstand Crew 711.
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There were plenty of fighter escorts, but the Luftwaffe didn't come up to engage them.
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Flak was light over the coast only to become rather heavy over the target.
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Despite the heavy flak, the Group was able to find their target. All 22 of the 492nd planes did drop their bombs on the target. We aren't sure how well the 492nd did, but the 392nd had poor results.
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After releasing its bombs, the Monroe Crew R-01 was lost to a direct hit by flak. They were flying number 41-29470. Their right wing caught fire, exploded and blew off. No chutes were seen as the plane spun downward, but 2 of the men were able to bail out in time.
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Flak brought down more US planes during the war than the Luftwaffe did. It was a dangerous weapon regardless of where it was encountered. The 492nd's sister group, the 392nd, lost 3 ships on the same mission. Two of them were lost over target and another one was hit on their way home as they were crossing the coastline. The two groups accounted for over half of the ships lost by the 8th Air Force that day.
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| Mission Data |
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39
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Date:
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23 Jun 44
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Juvincourt, France
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Airfield
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Aircraft
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Bomb Load
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Tons:
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54
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Type:
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100 lb GPs
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Result:
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Poor
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Enemy Action
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Flak:
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Heavy
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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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