Mission No. 119
19 Jul 1944
Station: 166
Target: RR Bridge at Mantes-Gassicourt
The Railroad bridge over the Seine at Mantes-Gassicourt, a previous target for the 391st, again was the Group's objective on the evening of July 19. Thirty-six planes were dispatched, each carrying four 1000-pound bombs. The results were good, and were accomplished after three bombing runs made before the release, due to poor visibility. Hits were scored on the railway bridge embankment north of the target. Three planes were flak battle damaged, but there were no losses or casualties.
The Commanding General of the 99th Bomb Wing teletyped the following communication: "Your bombing of the Mante-Gassicourt railroad bridge near Mantes, France, on the evening of 19th July, is a perfect example of excellent leadership, sound judgement, prior planning, and steadfastness. In the face of almost impossible bombing conditions, you severely damaged the target area and have blocked one of the few remaining enemy rail lines leading to the front. I congratulate the Group wholeheartedly on its success".

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THIS MISSION FROM THE GROUP MISSION RECORDS IS AVAILABLE IN THE "CREW LOADLING LIST" SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE here


Box #1 - Lead Flight
Williams
573
803-K
7
Boylan
573
812-D
9
Boone
573
831-H
19
Rutledge
573
834-B
9
Sloss
573
806-C
22
Bjork
573
806-M
14
Box #1 - High Flight
Dickinson
572
811-G
6
Baehr
572
797-P
16
Hanlon
572
836-N
14
Roeper
572
813-J
7
Walker
572
815-R
16
Koehl
572
313-Z
5
Box #1 - Low Flight
Dooley-Harris
573
808-X
13
Baxter
573
841-A
28
Clark
573
719-F
13
Armstrong
573
747-T
18
Colsch
573
595-V
17
Youse
573
947-U
15
Alexander
572
620-B
46

Box #2 - Lead Flight
Loesch
574
931-F
34
Lakin
574
844-D
38
Evans
574
597-P
32
Bird
574
248-V
30
Garwick
574
841-S
29
Stanfield
574
720-R
42
Box #2 - High Flight
Bush
574
815-W
36
Lowder
574
818-L
29
Metelsky
574
839-G
37
Alexander
574
268-K
44
Morris
574
932-T
46
Watson
574
873-U
32
Box #2 - Low Flight
Majka
574
865-D1
34
Callison
574
842-D
28
Wolfe
574
866-X
31
Hollis
574
807-J
36
Harlow
574
634-J
17
Kiedinger
574
978-Q
22
Box #2 - Spare Flight
Spare Lead
573
822-O
24
Spare Ship
575
843-J
45
Spare Ship
574
010-A
31
Spare Ship
574
800-C
35