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

December 2, 1943 Mission to Mt. Trocchio Gun Site, North

Squadron War Diary

340th HQ Diary The loss of veteran flight leaders and bombardiers - a large majority of them have been sent home for rest and reassignment - is undoubtedly contributing to recent fluctuations in our bombing efficiency. Today again, the 489th squadron failed to locate the proper target, bombing the town and vicinity of Aquino after being briefed to attack gun emplacements on Mt. Trocchio. True enough, the bombs fell on the Germans this time, but it is significant that they missed their intended target, and the gravity of their failure is underlined by the fact the 340th Bombardment Group is a close-support organization and frequently entrusted to carry out delicate pin-point operations - delicate because of the proximity of friendly troops. It is quite possible our bombing efficiency will decline for the next three or four weeks, or until the new flight leaders and lead bombardiers and navigators gain more experience

486th Not assigned to this mission

487th Not assigned to this mission.

488th Not assigned to this mission.

489th Today the Avengers Group was out in force to blast at the enemy north of Mr. Trocchio, Italy. Nine of our planes were in the first formation which was made up shortly after 0900 hours. About an half an hour later, flying through accurate and intense ack-ack, our bomardiers dropped their lethal load on hard-pressed Jerry, who is fighting stubbornly but hopelessly. He is contesting every inch of ground which he eventually relinquishes to us. Faced with overwhelming air superiority, a great portion of which is based here at the web of fields in the Foggia area, the Germans have no choice but retreat - "strategic retreat," a term these word experts have conjured up for home consumption. The second formation, flying later in the day, hit the enemy while he was still reeling from the morning blows.

Target in 1943

Target Today

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Squadron	War Diary
340th HQ Diary	The loss of veteran flight leaders and bombardiers - a large majority of them have been sent home for rest and reassignment - is undoubtedly contributing to recent fluctuations in our bombing efficiency. Today again, the 489th squadron failed to locate the proper target, bombing the town and vicinity of Aquino after being briefed to attack gun emplacements on Mt. Trocchio. True enough, the bombs fell on the Germans this time, but it is significant that they missed their intended target, and the gravity of their failure is underlined by the fact the 340th Bombardment Group is a close-support organization and frequently entrusted to carry out delicate pin-point operations - delicate because of the proximity of friendly troops. It is quite possible our bombing efficiency will decline for the next three or four weeks, or until the new flight leaders and lead bombardiers and navigators gain more experience
486th	Not assigned to this mission
487th	Not assigned to this mission.
488th	Not assigned to this mission.
489th	Today the Avengers Group was out in force to blast at the enemy north of Mr. Trocchio, Italy. Nine of our planes were in the first formation which was made up shortly after 0900 hours. About an half an hour later, flying through accurate and intense ack-ack, our bomardiers dropped their lethal load on hard-pressed Jerry, who is fighting stubbornly but hopelessly. He is contesting every inch of ground which he eventually relinquishes to us. Faced with overwhelming air superiority, a great portion of which is based here at the web of fields in the Foggia area, the Germans have no choice but retreat - "strategic retreat," a term these word experts have conjured up for home consumption. The second formation, flying later in the day, hit the enemy while he was still reeling from the morning blows.

Target in 1943

Target Today
View Larger Map

Crew Lists and Mission Reports

None Available

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