TARGET: DOUBLE RAILROAD INTERSECTION
ETAMPES, FRANCE
8 JUNE, 1944
The 457th sent a complete Combat Wing of three 12- aircraft boxes to destroy the double railroad intersection at Etampes, thirty miles south of Pans on the main rail line from Orleans to Tours. Major Leroy Watson was Air Commander with Lt. Edward B. Dozier as pilot. Captain J. L. Smith was Commander of the low box, and Mark R. Belcher was pilot, and Major George A. Beere was Commander of the high box with Captain William L. Gibbons as pilot.
There was a complete undercast over the target area. As no PFF equipment was available, the planned attack on Etampes was abandoned. After searching for targets of opportunity until several aircraft were low on fuel, the formation returned to the Base without bombing.
No enemy fighter opposition was encountered; however, several craft sustained battle damage due to flak. The sky was clear over the Channel and the Group had an excellent view of the many ships, from battleships to barges, that filled the Channel. Near Cherbourg a battleship was shelling the Coast.
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