Recap of August Ops

August 1944 saw the Allied armies sweep across France after the breakout from Normandy, liberate Paris on the 25th of August and cross the Seine River to send large German forces fleeing toward the French borders in the north and east. As the enemy fought to stave off defeat and then broke and retreated, his transportation equipment offered endless opportunities for attack by air power.

During August, the 353rd flew 39 missions on 24 days (four missions each on the 12th and 13th) and lost 17 planes and pilots--none of which fell to enemy aircraft incidentally. Eight planes were lost to flak, six to unknown causes but probably flak, one to its own bomb blast, one when it ran into the explosion of an enemy plane, and one to engine failure. Of the 39 missions, 25 were bombing and strafing affairs aimed mainly at the enemy transportation system. From all missions claims against German forces for August included the following totals:

• 240-91 locomotives,
• 743-924 rail cars,
• 438 - 276 motor vehicles,
• 1-0-3 buildings,
• 13-13 gun positions,
• 4-10 horse drawn vehicles,
• 1-7 tanks,
• 3-0 bridges, and
• 4-0 tunnels.

LW's Attempt to assist German ground forces

The Luftwaffe made its final, desperate attempts to assist the harried German ground forces and paid a terrible price. On the ground, in August, the 353rd claimed 83 German aircraft destroyed and 14 damaged. In the air, Group claims were 29-l-3 while losing 17 of their own aircraft.

On the 28th of August, the recently promoted Lt. Col. Gallup led 42 Thunderbolts on a bombing and strafing mission. During the course of several attacks on ground targets, various enemy aircraft were met. Gallup ran into an He 111 and two Fi 156s, sharing the bomber with Lt. John L. Shilt (who also shot down one Fi 156 as it lifted over a fence while trying to land) and sharing one Fi 156 with 1st Lt. Joe B. Brooks. The two half victories brought Gallup’s score to nine in the air. (His eighth was a 109 shot down on August 5th)

Ch 20

Ch 22