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

October 1, 1944 Mission to the Magenta Road and Railroad Bridges

Squadron War Diary

340th HQ Diary Three missions today took us to the Piacenza area with barracks, a gas plant and one of the RR bridges as the targets. All three were satisfactorily bombed. A fourth mission took us to the North Magenta RR bridge and here again the boys did right well for themselves.

486th Morning and afternoon missions. Results very good on both. Improvement in the weather promises to heighten our activity.

487th The first of the month brought forth two hot missions which we hope is no indication of the targets to come. In the morning, seventeen ships of the 487th Squadron took off to bomb Piacensa barracks in Northern Italy. They were over the target at 10:51 and laid their pattern on the northern half of he buildings incurring considerable damage. One ship was holed as a result of the anti-aircraft encountered......Second raid of nine ships took off at 15:10 to bomb the Magenta railroad bridge. Observations were inaccurate due to intense flak, but it was believed that hits were scored on the east approach. Lt. Donovan was seriously wounded and his ship forced down as a result of vigorous ground fire. The made a safe landing in Allied territory and the crew returned to the base with the exception of Lt. Donovan who is hospitalized in Italy.

488th Thirteen planes to Piacenza North rail bridge, Italy this morning. 100%. This afternoon seven planes bombed Magenta rail bridge, Italy. Another 100%. Good start for October.

489th Twice today we were out in force over Northern Italy, blasting targets of great importance to the enemy. Both times we accomplished our objective, leaving the Germans just a little less able to continue their stubborn resistance to our hard hitting ground forces.

Target in 1944

Target Today

Squadron	War Diary
340th HQ Diary	Three missions today took us to the Piacenza area with barracks, a gas plant and one of the RR bridges as the targets. All three were satisfactorily bombed. A fourth mission took us to the North Magenta RR bridge and here again the boys did right well for themselves.
486th	Morning and afternoon missions. Results very good on both. Improvement in the weather promises to heighten our activity.
487th	The first of the month brought forth two hot missions which we hope is no indication of the targets to come. In the morning, seventeen ships of the 487th Squadron took off to bomb Piacensa barracks in Northern Italy. They were over the target at 10:51 and laid their pattern on the northern half of he buildings incurring considerable damage. One ship was holed as a result of the anti-aircraft encountered......Second raid of nine ships took off at 15:10 to bomb the Magenta railroad bridge. Observations were inaccurate due to intense flak, but it was believed that hits were scored on the east approach. Lt. Donovan was seriously wounded and his ship forced down as a result of vigorous ground fire. The made a safe landing in Allied territory and the crew returned to the base with the exception of Lt. Donovan who is hospitalized in Italy.
488th	Thirteen planes to Piacenza North rail bridge, Italy this morning. 100%. This afternoon seven planes bombed Magenta rail bridge, Italy. Another 100%. Good start for October.
489th	Twice today we were out in force over Northern Italy, blasting targets of great importance to the enemy. Both times we accomplished our objective, leaving the Germans just a little less able to continue their stubborn resistance to our hard hitting ground forces.

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