Preparing for D-Day

From May 31st through June 5th, the Group carried out eight missions without further engaging the enemy. The weather worsened during this period, yet an atmosphere of great anticipation came over all the men and units in England.

Only a few knew that the long awaited invasion of Europe was at hand, but many guessed it. The goal for which all airmen had worked, the elimination of the Luftwaffe over France and the virtual sealing off of large portions of the German defenses, had been reached. The invasion of Europe, Operation NEPTUNE,  leading to the freeing of France and the Low Countries and the surrender of Germany was at hand.

Operation OVERLORD, was scheduled for June 5th, but bad weather delayed it for one day. If anyone was in doubt of the coming of the invasion, the night of June 5th/6th dispelled all doubts. Throughout that night massive flights of troop carriers and bombers filled the English skies, headed east toward Normandy. Almost before the new day was born, fighter pilots were routed out of bed for briefings.

Seven Missions on D-Day

The "Slybirds" would fly seven missions on D-Day, the first taking off at 0400 hours. These would be under plans FULL HOUSE and STUD, offensive fighter sweeps attacking tactical targets, and ROYAL FLUSH, area support. All were intended to give general support to the invasion forces and bombers. A summary of 353rd operations on D-Day reads:

• 1st Mission - Col. Duncan led 32 planes of 350th and 352nd Squadrons on patrol, making landfall-in at St. Valery, 0420 hours, and landfall-out at 0708. Uneventful.
• 2nd Mission - Lt. Col. Rimerman led 16 planes of 351st Squadron on patrol above a complete undercast, making landfall out at 0935 hours. Uneventful.
• 3rd Mission - Lt. Col. Bailey led 16 planes of 352nd Squadron on search inland from between Berth-Sur-Mer and St. Valery, making landfall in at 1024 hours at 15,000 feet. Clouds down to 1,000 feet, searched on the deck and found a train south of Clermont at 1240 hours. Eight 250 pounders dropped on train, and locomotive destroyed by strafing, one plane. Landfall out was made at 1252 hours. One plane received flak damage.
• 4th Mission - Capt. Newhart led 16 planes of 350th Squadron on search, coming in near Fe Camp at 1127 hours. Several breaks found in undercast. Thirteen bombs dropped on railroad tunnel near Breval and freight cars strafed south of Buiel. Squadron came out at Cayeux at 1330 hours at 14,000 feet.
• 5th Mission - Lt. Col. Christian led 16 planes of 351st Squadron, on patrol, in at Le Touget at 1117 hours and brought them out at 1352 hours. Twelve 250lb GP bombs dropped on rail installations near Montdidier and Chantilly and train strafed with locomotive destroyed.
• 6th Mission - Lt. Col. Bailey led 8 planes of 352nd Squadron on search, coming in near Dieppe at 1517 hours. Near Falaise an Me 110 was encountered, the first E/A seen by the Group during the day, but evaded in clouds. No rail traffic could be found, so a convoy of six trucks and one staff car, pulling a field gun, was bombed and strafed and completely destroyed. F/O Earl Green’s plane was hit and blew up, but his chute was seen to open at 500 feet. Planes came out at Le Treport, 1754 hours.
• 7th Mission - Col. Duncan led 32 planes of the 350th and 351st Squadrons on area support, making landfall in at St. Valery at 5,000 feet, 1903 hours. Near Caen and Vire 15 trucks left burning with others damaged. Trucks had AA units and were believed to have been on a scouting mission. 351st strafed ammo train and destroyed its engine, and a number of cars blew up. A metal, pear-shaped balloon, 6 to 10 feet in size, with metal rods 30 feet long, was shot down near St. Valery. The squadrons came out at Dieppe, 2216 hours. One plane was damaged by flak.

A good sampling of the type of mission being flown at this time is seen in the encounter report from Capt. James N. Poindexter, following the 4th Mission on June 7, 1944, three days after the landings at Normandy.

“I was leading Jockey (352nd Squadron) Blue Flight on a dive bombing mission to Margny Airfield at Compiegne, France. Due to adverse weather conditions missed target on way in but pin pointed location on Soissons, France. Observed large concentration of rail cars and locomotives in marshaling yards at this point so jockeyed flight into position for a run from 5,500 feet on this target. Six of eight 500~lb bombs were direct hits in concentrated area of 50 plus rail vehicles. After blast and smoke had cleared away I observed wreckage of 8-plus rail cars overturned and considerable damage to tracks and area in general."

“Rejoined flight and proceeded on a course from Soissons to attack aircraft on primary target at Margny Airfield. On this course the flight encountered five locomotives, one a troop train running NW from Soissons, and destroyed all five locomotives and seriously damaged troop train by strafing. On sighting a small motor convoy, flight attacked and on withdrawing left one truck and two half-tracks burning. Each vehicle attacked seemed to burst into flames on first burst of machine gun fire. Assumed this to be from the 2-wheel gasoline trailers attached to each vehicle concerned. During this time, I strafed 4 fuel drums and observed many strikes but could not get the damned tanks to burn."

“Proceeded on from this engagement and sighted Margny Airfield from 5,000 feet. Observed 10-plus aircraft in dispersal area on NW side of the field. Positioned flight to attack from up sun and made run on 6 Me 109s, painted black, lined along outer edge of perimeter track. I held my fire on one enemy aircraft until it burst into flames and then strafed the remaining aircraft as effectively as possible. Observed several strikes on three other Me 109s."

“Having used all my ammunition I circled and observed the flight continuing the attack. I observed my wingman, Lt. Greenwood, attack and saw an enemy aircraft explode. I observed my Number 4 man, Lt. Reinhardt, attacking and watched Me 109 #3 burst into flames. Element leader, Lt. Keywan, made four passes and damaged three Me 109s (shared with Capt. Poindexter). Attack drew only meager, light flak from the airfield much to the amazement of those concerned.”

With such air support as this, it was no wonder that the Luftwaffe was a never a factor in dislodging Allied troops from their tenuous foothold on the Normandy Coast.

Ch 17

Ch 19