Constituted as 394th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 15 Feb 1943. Activated on 5 Mar 1943. Trained with B-26's. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Ninth AF. Entered combat in Mar 1944 and helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by hitting V-weapon sites, marshalling yards, bridges, air-dromes, and gun emplacements. On D- Day, 6 Jun, bombed gun positions at Cherbourg; afterward, struck communications, fuel supplies, and strong points in support of the Normandy campaign. Aided the breakthrough at St Lo by bombing targets in the area on 25 Jul 1944. Received a DUC for operations from 7 to g Aug 1944 when the group made five attacks against strongly fortified targets in northern France, knocking out an ammunition dump and four railroad bridges.
After moving to the Continent late in Aug 1944, the group hit strong points at Brest and then began to operate against targets in Germany. The unit took part in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945 by hitting communications sites to deprive the enemy of supplies and reinforcements. Bombed transportation storage facilities, and other objectives until the war ended; also dropped propaganda leaflets. Remained in the theater to serve with United States Air Forces in Europe as part of the army of occupation.
Lt Owen Reeder - Pilot
Lt George Domblazer - Co-Pilot
Lt Everly Crouser - bombardier
Rex Merriman - Crew Chief
James Ray - tail gunner
Plane Details:
B-26B-50ma
Serial Number 42-96026
Unit: 584th Bomb Squadron
Markings:
- K5*B letters and numbers in faded grey,
- Diagonal white tail slash with serial number,
- Nose art "Victory Read",
- D-Day Stripes,
- Mission Tally
The Target: The Benerville Gun Battery / Sword beach
Overview: The Benerville Battery, located on Mount Canisy, is one of four gun batteries (the others are located at Villerville (x2) and Houlgate) designed to protect the sea approaches to the port of Le Havre.
Mount Canisy, at an altitude of 110 metres above Benerville-sur-Mer, dominates both the Bay of the Seine and the port at Le Havre. In 1935 the French Navy installed a battery of four 138mm guns to neutralise an enemy force before they could land on the local beaches. (Pictures 1 thru 4, archival photos; picture 5 present day showing view from one of the bunkers)
Aware of the strategic value of this location, the German command set up a new and larger battery consisting of a number of captured French 155mm guns within armoured enclosures. By 1944 these had been transferred to sheltered casemates constructed close by. (Pictures 6 thru 8 - present day)
The French guns, first introduced in 1917 and known as Grande Puissance Filloux (GPF), and renamed "Feldkanone 418 f" by the Germans, had a listed range of 19 Kms. Age and poor maintenance reduced this to an effective range of 15kms; still more than sufficient to reach the landing zones at Sword Beach. (Pictures 9 thru 12 - archival footage)
The Design:
The site was designed around three type 679 Casements: massive gun emplacements with incredibly thick reinforced concrete walls. Each of these type 679 Casemates housed one of the Frnech 155 mm guns. In front of the Casements were six open gun emplacements, one of which was equipped with a 155mm gun on D-day. (Pictures 13 thru 16 archival footage, Pictures 17 thru 20, casements present day; Pictures 21 thru 26 - open gun emplacements and additional bunkers)
The entire complex of casements and gun emplacements were interconnected with a network of underground galleries over 250 metres long and 15 metres deep for the safe storage and handling of the munitions. In addition, there are two Fire Control Posts and numerous reinforced concrete shelters on the surface as protection for both personnel and armaments. (Pictures 27 thru 34 - fire control posts, shelter entrances and tunnels - present day, Pictures 35 and 36 bunker schematics; pictures 37 thru 39 - casement and gun emplacement schematics)
As if those numerous defensive measures weren't enough, the site was further protected by a Renault R35 tank turret. (Pictures 40 thru 42 - present day)
In addition to the defense around the gun battery, the town of Benerville Su Mer is protected by a number of beachside defensive works comprised of trenches, gun pits, and bunkers. (Pictures 43 thru 46 - present day)
During the operations of the D-Day landings the mission for two British battleships, "Warspit" and "Ramillies" and the Allied Airforce was to neutralise the coastal batteries of the Cote Fleurie, especially Mont Canisy.
The Battery exchanged fire on D-day with HMS Warspite, using its 15 inch guns. The guns were not silenced and later in the day exchanged fire with HMS Ramillies.
Although the original guns were eventually put out of commission, the Germans moved a mobile field battery into the casements and resumed firing. The Ramilies returned on June 18 and after firing over 1000 rounds of 15 inch ammo, it returned to Portsmouth.
In spite of the aerial and naval bombardment, the battery was not finally silenced until the end of August.
"We got our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures. It scares the hell out of people. We got a loudspeaker.
When we go into battle, we play music very loud. It kind of... calms us down."
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THe Mararuder has always been one of my favroites. 
Originally Posted by ozhawk40 
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