305th BG - June 8, 1944

[Henofred]

Hi/Bonjour,

I am looking for what was the 305th Bombardment Group's target for June 8, 1944. The 339th Fighter Group takes part on a combination dive-bombing and bomber escort to Rennes, and I would like to know if the 305th is the bombardment group involved. I thank you beforehand.

Best regards,
Frederic

[Leendert]

It appears that Rennes was on the target list for 445th BG (B-24) that day as well...
See https://www.445bg.org/mission-94.html

If 305th BG was among the B-17 groups, still unclear.

Regards,
Leendert

[MW Giles]

The only book I have on the 305th (Brotherhood of Courage) is very sparse and I wish I had not bought it for silly money

For the 1st BD there were the following targets
1. La Frilliere (Bridge) - 72 a/c (6x12)
2. Orleans (Bridge) - 36 a/c (3x12)
3. Orleans (M/Y) - 108 a/c (9x12)
4. Rennes (Airfield) - 72 a/c (4x18)
5. Etampes (Railway) - 72 a/c (6x12)
6. Morigny/Champigny (Railway) - 36 a/c (3 x 12)

Known Group targets
1. La Frilliere - 381BG
2. and 3 Orleans - 303, 379, 384 BGs - numbers accounted for
4. Rennes - 92, 306BG - numbers accounted for
5. Etampes - 351, 457 BG - numbers accounted for
6. Morigny/Champigny - 91, 398 BG - numbers accounted for

The 401st BG mission was scrubbed, which, by a process of elimination, just leaves the 305th for the other Group on La Frilliere

Martin

[Henofred]

Leendert and Martin, thank you for your answers and these informations which makes it possible to know most of the Bomb Group involved this day even if the case of the 305th Bomb Group is still not known. The 92nd and 306th Bomb Group belonged to the 40th Combat Wing, as did the 305th Bomb Group. Isn't it natural to think that the latter was also part of the mission onto Rennes? By your answers, it seems that there were several missions over the city (at different times surely) that day as I note that B-17s bombed the airfield, and B-24s (445th BG) targeted a railroad bridge.

Best regards,
Frederic

[MW Giles]

Frederic

I have worked it out now having found the 92nd BG website

Known Group targets
1. La Frilliere - 1 CBW - A and B = 91, 381, 398BGs
2. Orleans - 41 CBW - D = 303, 379, 384 BGs (12 a/c each)
3. Orleans - 41 CBW - A, B and C = 303, 379, 384 BGs
4. Rennes - 40 CBW - A and B = 92, 305 and 306BG
5. Etampes and 6. Morigny/Champigny - 94CBW A, B and C = 351, 401, 457 BGs

(For most of these I cannot say which BG made up Wing Group A, B or C)

1 CBW (A and B)
12 a/c from 398th BG joined 24 a/c from 91st BG to form one Group and 36 a/c from 381st BG formed the other Group

40 CBW (A and B)
92nd BG 20 a/c (18 + 2 spares) took off for Rennes 15 bombed primary and 3 did not bomb
306th BG 40 a/c (36 + 4 spares) took off for Rennes 18 bombed primary but 18 did not bomb

Therefore for the 305th we conclude
305th BG took off for Rennes (probably consisting of 18 a/c plus 2 spares) and formed a Group with the a/c from the 92nd BG

41 CBW (A, B , C and D)
The 303rd, 379th and 384th contributed 12 a/c each to form Group D
The 303rd, 379th and 384th contributed 36 a/c each to form Groups A, B and C (though not necessarily in that order)

94 CBW (A, B and C)
The 401st BG mission was scrubbed, which, coincides with the Morigny/Champigny mission
The 351st and 457th definitely went to Etampes but did not bomb

My apologies for taking so long to work it out, I was led astray by the 92nd BG only putting up half the formation

Martin

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour Martin,

Thank you for these additional details. It seems that the participation of the 305th Bomb Group is validated by an information (a link) that I just found this morning on the NARA website. There is an entry for the Group regarding an operation on the city of Bruz, located very close to Rennes (south southwest), but a city also very close to the Rennes/Saint-Jacques airfield. Link: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2874173

In the 306th BG report, I read that the target (the airfield) was covered by clouds and it is possible that the 305th BG then bombed Bruz; there was a fuel dump there - a target of opportunity for the Group?

Once again, merci beaucoup for your assistance.

Best regards,
Frederic

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour Martin,

I had confirmation of the participation of the 305th BG via the vice-president of the 305th BGMA-UK that I contacted by Facebook (...I saw they had a page there). The target was indeed the Rennes airfield, 18 a/c (and 2 spares) were sent but the target being covered all B-17s bombed - just as I thought it would - the ammunition ordnance depot at Bruz, located next door. Thanks again for all the details about the June 8 mission.

Best regards,
Frederic