SUBJECT: Report of Operations Officer - Mission of 1 August 1944. Tours/St. Benoit.

TO: Commanding Officer, 486th Bombardment Group (H).

486th Group

1. ASSEMBLY SECTION: The 486th Group scheduled three (3) squadrons, a total of nineteen (19) a/c, to fly as 48th C group (lead group of the Wing) for the day's operation. The lead and high squadrons consisted of six (6) a/c each, and the low squadron flew seven (7) a/c, the seventh plane filling in the diamond position. In addition, there was one (1) airborne spare flying the diamond position of the high squadron. Take-off for the twenty (20) a/c was at 0943 - 1002 hours with all taking off in formation order. Instrument ascent to assembly altitude of 10,000 feet was made through the clouds, the tops of which were at approximately 1700 feet. Assembly (over Buncher #22) was begun upon reaching 10,000 feet at 1031 hours, and was completed at 1101 hours. "A" group immediately started its climb to wing assembly altitude of 18,000 feet and at 1148 hours had reached that altitude.

The ETA for Buncher #22, the IP of the wing assembly line, was 1231 hours, therefore, the formation (486th only) headed toward Splasher #7 and started circling the Splasher. At 1216 hours, they left Splasher #7 and maneuvered to come back in over Buncher #22 at proper time. Poor navigation and timing put this, the lead group, over the Buncher six (6) minutes early. A 360° turn was the result, and, after completing the turn and coming back past the Buncher, the group wound up two (2) minutes behind time. This put 486B and 390C Groups (they had made good the rendezvous time at B-22) ahead, on course out.

Proceeding on course out, Batford was passed to the left of course to make up time, and Selsey Bill was reached at 1307 hours, on course, but still one (1) minute behind time. Altitude up to this time had remained 18,000 feet but upon departing Selsey Bill, the climb to bombing altitude was begun. At the time, the Wing formation had never been completed. 486B Group and 390C Group had departed Selsey Bill on time, one (1) minute ahead of "A" group and were S-ing (to permit lead to take over) across the channel a little to the right of course, whereas "A" group was climbing slightly left of course. During the climb, 486B Group pulled ahead of "B" group, and as the enemy coast was approached and "A" group leader recognized his "B" group behind and to the right, he ordered a 360° turn to try to organize a Wing formation. This, however, was not successful as "B" group again went into the lead by bypassing "A" group during its turn. Therefore, "B" group approached the enemy coast slightly ahead of "A" group which, after completing the turn, crossed the coast at 1341 hours. Altitude of 22,300 feet was reached three (3) minutes after getting into French territory.