340th Bomb Group History

340th Bombardment Group History

340th BG Patch

340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories

July 12, 1944 Mission to Chiavari Railroad Bridge

Squadron War Diary

486th Not assigned to this mission.

487th Not assigned to this mission.

488th Not assigned to this mission.

489th In the afternoon eighteen planes from the squadron flew to the Venice area of Italy to strike at a railroad bridge at Chiavari. Possible hits were made on the bridge.

Shortly before reaching the target, Lt. Mitchell's plane developed left engine trouble. He proceeded to the target and the bombardier dropped the bombs. Just after turning off the bomb run, the right engine failed. The left engine continued to miss badly, finally making it necessary for the pilot to ditch the plane at sea.

Five members of the crew of seven got out before the plane sank. They climbed into their raft which the plane carried and undoubtedly will be picked up by the Air Sea Rescue Command. All of these events leading up to the ditching were observed by the crew of one of our planes which circled the stricken men.

Target in 1944

Target Today

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Squadron	War Diary
486th	Not assigned to this mission.
487th	Not assigned to this mission.
488th	Not assigned to this mission.
489th	In the afternoon eighteen planes from the squadron flew to the Venice area of Italy to strike at a railroad bridge at Chiavari. Possible hits were made on the bridge. Shortly before reaching the target, Lt. Mitchell's plane developed left engine trouble. He proceeded to the target and the bombardier dropped the bombs. Just after turning off the bomb run, the right engine failed. The left engine continued to miss badly, finally making it necessary for the pilot to ditch the plane at sea. Five members of the crew of seven got out before the plane sank. They climbed into their raft which the plane carried and undoubtedly will be picked up by the Air Sea Rescue Command. All of these events leading up to the ditching were observed by the crew of one of our planes which circled the stricken men.

Target in 1944

Target Today
View Larger Map

Crew Lists and Mission Reports

None available.

340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories