340th Bomb Group History

340th Bombardment Group History

340th BG Patch

340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories

August 19, 1944 Mission to Monfaucon Road Bridge

Squadron War Diary

486th Early mission today (0530) briefing and target was again communications in Rhone Valley, S. France. Since the invasion of S. France the 340th has moved off ground support to resume bombing their semi-strategic targets. This indicates the ground troops are doing well. After a 3 1/2 hour mission the crews returned and were quite disgusted because cloud coverage, about 11/10ths as one officer said, obscured the target. Consequently, another mission left for the same target at 1608. Mission successful; according to returning crews, the north span of Montefaucon Bridge is down.

487th Not assigned to this mission.

488th Stand-down

489th Daily life continues along the same general pattern that has prevailed for a very long time. We continue to destroy bridges over which vital supplies, materials, and men arre fed into Southern France. Many of the bridges are fiercely defended by seasoned gunners who cause the missions to be anything but milk runs. But systematically and surely we are making Jerry's position on this new front more and more precarious.

Target in 1944

Target Today

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Squadron	War Diary
486th	Early mission today (0530) briefing and target was again communications in Rhone Valley, S. France. Since the invasion of S. France the 340th has moved off ground support to resume bombing their semi-strategic targets. This indicates the ground troops are doing well. After a 3 1/2 hour mission the crews returned and were quite disgusted because cloud coverage, about 11/10ths as one officer said, obscured the target. Consequently, another mission left for the same target at 1608. Mission successful; according to returning crews, the north span of Montefaucon Bridge is down.
487th	Not assigned to this mission.
488th	Stand-down
489th	Daily life continues along the same general pattern that has prevailed for a very long time. We continue to destroy bridges over which vital supplies, materials, and men arre fed into Southern France. Many of the bridges are fiercely defended by seasoned gunners who cause the missions to be anything but milk runs. But systematically and surely we are making Jerry's position on this new front more and more precarious.

Crew Lists and Mission Reports

Crew List 486th

Mission Reports First Mission




Second Mission

340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories