Vannes airfield, France – May 29, 1944

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

I am looking for the Fighter Group that have attacked the Vannes airfield (France) on May 29, 1944, between 8:10 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. according to a document of German origin (excerpt below). A Ninth Air Force unit? Five days earlier, on May 24, a P-47 from the 405th Fighter Group/510th Fighter Squadron (Lt. Arlie J. Blood) was lost by Flak during an attack in the same area.

"8:10 p.m. – 8:25 p.m.: Attack by 40 fighter-bombers on the Vannes airfield, using 80 bombs and onboard weapons. 1 killed, several seriously wounded among the anti-aircraft gunners, 6 slightly wounded. Vehicles, workshop, 3 hangars, barracks, 2 anti-aircraft gun emplacements, 1 Ju 88, and 2 cars destroyed; runway, parking areas, 4 aircraft, 3 cars, 2 trucks, communication lines, and air traffic control center damaged. During the attack, 2 aircraft were reportedly shot down."

All the best,
Frederic

[MW Giles]

The 48th Fighter Group dive bombed Vannes 53 P-47 took off and 3 returned early. Attack time is either 21:10 or 20:10. I go with the latter as FU 18:47 and LD 21:27

Martin

[Henofred]

Great! A huge thank you Martin. I am going to start looking for a copy of the mission report now. If I can, as the turnaround time for sending PDF files via AFHRA Maxwell has been significantly extended.

Best regards,
Frederic

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

The Fighter Group's report mentions an FW 200 strafed and damaged. Are there any trace of such an event on that date from Luftwaffe side? (Information from Mr. Kent D. Miller)

All the best,
Frederic

[Chris Goss]

Being 1944 and if there were no casualties, this would not be recorded albeit I have a note that two aircraft from Stab/KG 40 were destroyed this day, another one damaged and one more damaged from IV./KG 40. No other details I am afraid

[Leendert]

Frederic,

Just FYI: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4742...objectPage=926

Leendert

[Leendert]

Re #5: the two destroyed Stab/KG 40 a/c on 29 May 1944 were He-177's at Mackfitz/Makowice. Due to a strafing attack by 4th FG. See hard to read https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4747...objectPage=224

Leendert

[Henofred]

Thank you Chris and Leendert,

It’s quite surprising to be so wrong about the type of aircraft; a four-engine plane is a large aircraft and cannot be confused with a Ju 88. The report states: "One FW 200, painted gray, on ground at north end of airfield, was straffed and believed damaged by Capt. Neil E. Simmerman."

Best regards,
Frederic