9AF Langeais railway station 08/1944

[wise62]

On 6th August1944 around 8pm, a PoW train *stopped near Langeais railway station (east Tours) was strafed by fighters which were seen as P47 or P38 American fighters. Some witnesses reported seeing British fighters !

The same train at the same place was attacked the day after 7th August around 3pm by American fighters.

Among the victims were several American's PoW :
Reuben Anhorn (37171074), Barney F. Arnold (18061280), Matt D. Campbell (39465836), Cyril K. De Vay (38171694), Alexander-W Kowalski (11008430), Sidney Magazine (32801566), Gordon T. Norwood (32252348), Walter D. Solomon (36124658) and John D. Taylor (18010823)
three Commonwealth soldiers Donald H. Jenner (14214867), William F.P. Kimber (5724388) and George G. Costa (F/56522),
2 French overseas soldiers, 4 French prisoners and 1 civilian from Langeais.

Does anyone have information regarding the fighters units involved in these missions ? .

Thanks for your help.

[Buckeye30]

This account says there were 6 P-38s on the 6th., probably the ones that returned next day. I'm afraid I don't know the Group.


https://yofrance.substack.com/p/the-langeais-train


Nick

[KM1957]

Not sure if the P-38's were Ninth Air Force. The 474th Fighter Group flew no missions on August 6, the 367th Fighter Group escorted medium bombers and did not report doing any strafing and the 370th Fighter Group dropped napalm bombs on Foret d'Andeine. That leaves the Eighth Air Force's 479th Fighter Group if anyone has their reports for this date.

Kent

[wise62]

Thank you for your answers. Many American prisoners were killed by friendly fire. Was there a commission of inquiry after the war into the circumstances of this mistake and who was responsible?

[MW Giles]

Candidate

IX AF Mission X51-10
Armed Recce - Chartres-Orleans-Tours
TOT 13:53-17:15
3 direct hits on RR Bridge at Tours - damaged
5 box cars destroyed
25 box cars and 2 locos damaged at Tours
Bombed box cars at L7869
1 Direct hit on RR/Road bridge at L3010

Have to open a different file to find the unit

Martin

[MW Giles]

Form 34

373rd FG T/O 13:52 on Armed Recce - Rail road and rolling stock Tours-Chateauroux area
Time of initial attack 15:05
23/24 P-47s - 1 returned with mechanical failure
30 x 500lb GP
1100 x 0.5 in
Moderate light flak, accurate
Claim RR Cars 5-0-25, Locos 0,0,2

RR Bridge at L3000 - 18 x 500 lb GP

Close Escort 12 P-47

Martin

[KM1957]

Just as a follow up on Barney F. Arnold--from MACR 5896 and stated by T/Sgt. Wonning, "... that while being transported by train as POWs the train was strafed by P-47's and T/Sgt. Arnold was hit and killed."

[wise62]

thanks , have you a copy of this report!
Wise 62