340th Bomb Group History

340th Bombardment Group History

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

September 16, 1944 Mission to the Bologna Motor Transport Repair Area #1

Squadron War Diary

340th HQ Diary Wing's operations today was an all out effort to completely liquidate the M/T repair sheds at Bologna. [M/T = Motor Transport] Colonel Chapman, consistent with all standards of a capable leader, when informed that the target was well defended, ordered his name be put on schedule to fly as Co-pilot. In the hope of thwarting the concentrated anti-aircraft defenses in this area, 12 ships would be loaded with phosphorous bombs and chaff and would lead the formation dropping their bombs on known gun positions. In addition to this will be area cover of P-47s who will peel off at gun positions which still appear active..... The three Groups in this Wing all scheduled with the same target criss-crossed over the target very successfully bombing the principal objective

486th Early morning mission finally ameliorated exacerbated nerves. The Bologna M/T [Motor Transport] depot was well plastered as were gun positions. Flak was moderate and the returning crews were quite amazed.

487th Early alert this morning for twelve ships and crews that took off at 7:45 A.M. to bomb motor transport repair shops at Bologna, Italy. It was slightly hazy over the target, but bombardiers took advantage of the good visibility and slight anti-aircraft fire to inflict a severe blow on the enemy. The first pattern hit a cluster of buildings and highway just south of the target area and the second box hit center of target area covering many buildings. Large columns of smoke were observed coming from the northwest corner of the target area immediately after our bombing. Crews were happy to have this target behind them as they had anticipated heavy flak although their worry was in vain as it was considered a perfect "milk run."

488th Twelve planes off to Bologna M/T [Motor Transport] repair shops, Italy. Got 100%. Bologna is the hub of all the transportation facilities for the Germans. Contrary to all expectations the ack-ack was very inaccurate.

489th The September 1944 diary is missing.

Target in 1944

Target Today

Squadron	War Diary
340th HQ Diary	Wing's operations today was an all out effort to completely liquidate the M/T repair sheds at Bologna. [M/T = Motor Transport] Colonel Chapman, consistent with all standards of a capable leader, when informed that the target was well defended, ordered his name be put on schedule to fly as Co-pilot. In the hope of thwarting the concentrated anti-aircraft defenses in this area, 12 ships would be loaded with phosphorous bombs and chaff and would lead the formation dropping their bombs on known gun positions. In addition to this will be area cover of P-47s who will peel off at gun positions which still appear active..... The three Groups in this Wing all scheduled with the same target criss-crossed over the target very successfully bombing the principal objective
486th	Early morning mission finally ameliorated exacerbated nerves. The Bologna M/T [Motor Transport] depot was well plastered as were gun positions. Flak was moderate and the returning crews were quite amazed.
487th	Early alert this morning for twelve ships and crews that took off at 7:45 A.M. to bomb motor transport repair shops at Bologna, Italy. It was slightly hazy over the target, but bombardiers took advantage of the good visibility and slight anti-aircraft fire to inflict a severe blow on the enemy. The first pattern hit a cluster of buildings and highway just south of the target area and the second box hit center of target area covering many buildings. Large columns of smoke were observed coming from the northwest corner of the target area immediately after our bombing. Crews were happy to have this target behind them as they had anticipated heavy flak although their worry was in vain as it was considered a perfect "milk run."
488th	Twelve planes off to Bologna M/T [Motor Transport] repair shops, Italy. Got 100%. Bologna is the hub of all the transportation facilities for the Germans. Contrary to all expectations the ack-ack was very inaccurate.
489th	The September 1944 diary is missing.

Crew Lists and Mission Reports

486th Squadron

487th Squadron

488th Squadron


489th Squadron

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