American 1st LT Bert W Humphries Role/Job: Co-Pilot ; Operations Officer
November 3 1942 First mission
General Information:
Abbeville/Drucat Fighter Aerodrome located to the north of the town of Abbeville, France, on the river Somme, was the target. We were to have 2 sqdr of Spitfires. Close support, and 3 sqdr above us for cover; our formation of bombers numbering 12 (0-17). Bombing altitude at 21,000 ft.; specific target being dispersal areas and 1602 hangars Main (500) 16. HE. bombs. Scheduled takeoff at 11:50, rendevous with Spitfiris over Beachy Head at 1345, attack Target at 2006 o clock. Could expect moderate anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition.
Remarke:
We were briefed for the mission at 800 o'clock, but due to numerous changes of plan we were still "sweating it out" at 1100. The original mission was merely a "Diversion" so another Us. bomb. force could attack Brest, France. However, after three changes, accompanied by utmost confusion, we where finally given a target, described box. Everyone seamed to be quit nervous and on edge. Since the CO., Major Zienowicz was riding as pilot in ove ship, with to. Bader as C.P., I volunteered to act as C.P. for Capt. Gillespie (Lead ship 2 elem, 2. flight)- for I wanted to be in on that frist raid. The weather was generally foul with heavy fog lying close to the ground making it instrument conditions. By 1100 o clock the
fog had lifted somewhat, so the mission seamed a certainty The intelligence office gave us our "escape kato "packet of foreign money" etc., and we left for sqdn. operations for last minute instructions. Transportation was waiting to take us to our ships - and we had just a few minutes to go, when a call come through cancelling the mission. Whehh!. That was close! However, since the cancellation came from higher headquarters and after we were completely "briefed" all participating personnel were to receive credit for one operational mission.
- Boeing B-17F-10-BO 41-24482 Heavy Weight Annihilator Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-S] Bangor 2/9/42; Bassingbourn 29/9/42; on 4th mission to St Nazaire 03/01/43 with Don Bader and crew OK, but ship badly damaged and
never flew a combat mission again. Salvaged 27/02/43. (crew claimed 6 enemy aircraft destroyed). HEAVYWEIGHT ANNIHILATORS.
- Consolidated B-24D-CO 41-11807 to RFC at Ontario, CA Jun 4, 1945
- Consolidated B-24D-1-CO 41-23641 Tucson, AZ Accident on landing, mechanical failure Major Damage, Possibly Scrapped Non Combat USA Arizona Davis Monthan Field
sources:
- USAF Serial Number Search Results
- Bert W Humphries | American Air Museum
- 41-24482 | American Air Museum
- http://www.91stbombgroup.com/91st_tales/04_times_of_our_lives.pdf