Sortie Report#: 0071

Mission Data:
Date 34th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 34th Primary Target
June 06, 1944 10 394 Caen
24 planes were dispatched with 72 tons of bombs to Caen France in support of the D-Day landings. Two aircraft aborted. Due to 10/10 clouds and D-Day channel traffic, the group was forced to return with all bombs still aboard. One plane crashed along the coast when it ran out of fuel with 8 crewmen KIA and 1 Missing in Action. The 34th had been one of the first groups airborne. Roger Freeman Mighty Eighth War Diary on page 259 states that going out one 34BG plane crashed at Corfe Castle with 10 killed. (It was early morning, before 10 AM, but they were returning.)
Sortie Data:
Combat CreditStatusTarget Attacked (Mode)
Yes Mission Completed Primary (Visual)
Sortie Aircraft Data:
TypeSerial NumberSquadronSQ CodeName
B-24H 41-29567 4 D/B Bambi
Sortie Crew Data:
PositionCrew MemberUnitStatus
Pilot Charles Cook 4th Completed
Co-Pilot Ralph J. Lundeen 4th Completed
Navigator Merle R. Hartman 4th Completed
Bombardier Norman L. Mayer 4th Completed
Radio Operator John W. Brady 4th Completed
Engineer/Top Turret Clarence T. Peterman 4th Completed
Gunner (Ball Turret) Vernon E. Atwater 4th Completed
Gunner (Tail) Frederick W. Harsters 4th Completed
Gunner (Waist/Flexible) El J. Brackeen 4th Completed