HEADQUARTERS
USAAF STATION 126
APO 634

SUBJECT:  Cognac S-3 Narrative
TO:       Those Concerned

     1. Twenty-one airplanes of the 447th Bomb Group took off
between the hours of 0750 and 0800, 31 December 1943.  Of the 21 A/C 
one (1) A/C was forced to leave the formation over England because of 
oxygen failure.  This A/C returned to base too late to allow the 
dispatching of a spare to complete the formation.
     2. The group assembled as planned, but was two minutes late at 
the wing assembly point, (Splasher #7).  However, before reaching the 
English coast out, the wing had assembled.  The 447th Bomb Group was 
the low group of the 4th Combat Wing, the 385th Group leading, the 
94th Group flying high.  The 4th Combat Wing was the only wing in 
this formation.
     3. Fighter support was present continuously, except directly 
after leaving the target to a point off the French coast over the 
Bay of Biscay.  Fighter escort was excellent. 
     4. Of the 20 A/C dispatched, one (1) was lost in the immediate 
vicinity of the target just after bombs away.  Observers in the 
formation reported that A/C #125, pilot Lt. M.R. Moore, pulled away 
in flames, evidently the result of a flak burst, spun down, and broke 
up in the air.  Five (5) chutes were reported.
     5. Just before the 4th Combat Wing reached the IP, a wing of 
B-24's flew through the formation, cutting the 447th Group and the 
94th Group off from the 385th Group.  At the IP the 447th Group had 
almost regained position, but was still behind.  Consequently the 
Wing was not rallied until it reached a point offshore in the Bay 
of Biscay.
     6. Of the 19 airplanes returning to England, 17 landed safely
at base, one (1) made an emergency landing at Tarrant Rushton, and 
one (1) made an emergency landing at Yeovilton Naval Base.

					GEORGE Y. JUMPER
					Lt. Col., AC,
					Operations Officer.

[447bg.com Ref: B0558-0508, retyped for clarity]

NO STRIKE PHOTO AVAILABLE

No.

Type

Tons

K

W

M

Maj.

Min.

Cognac, France - 1100 nautical miles. Excellent bombing. Encountered heavy flak - 21 holes in ship. Few enemy fighters. Lost one ship - 709 had one man killed, 2 navigators injured (Baugn and Porter).

3rd raid of Group  
Rattlesden December 31 Friday  
Lt. Jarrell came in and woke all of us up at 2:30 for a mission. We ate at 3, briefing at 4. After getting all our crap we went out to #217, a 710 ship. Our crew was an extra crew to take the place of any ship unable to take off. Takeoff was scheduled for 7:30, we stayed in the ship until 8. All the guns were dirty, no crew chief or armorers were out there, until the last minute. Things were really a mess. At 8 am we came back to the barracks + slept until 11; got paid and ate. Terry came in and took our names at 1245 for not being at a meeting in the street. Later a luey came in when we were in bed + told us to go down to armament because Maj. Lund + Capt. Foley were going to check all barracks. We went down to armament + slept for a while + played poker until 430 when we went out to the runway + watched the planes come home from the mission. They bombed a bomber + pursuit training school in Cognac, France. "Hi Jinx" was flown by Lt. Rozmus + crew with quite a few flak holes. Both fighters + flak. 1 ship lost. B 9:30

SILVER STAR
General Order: 185 Date: 18 March 44 Headquarters: VIII AF

Wayne H. Akers, 37228692, Technical Sergeant, Army Air Forces, United States Army (Missing in Action) for gallantry in action while serving as Engineer and Gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe, 31 December 1943. On leaving the target area, his aircraft was fiercely attached by a large number of enemy fighters.  Manning his guns with courage and great skill, Sergeant Akers destroyed one of the attacking planes. Though wounded during the running battle which followed, Sergeant Akers, with blood streaming down his face and thus partly obscuring his vision, remained at his guns and continued to fight off the determined attacks by the enemy. The gallantry, skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Akers were an inspiration to the entire crew. His actions reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States .

SILVER STAR
General Order: 185 Date: 18 March 44 Headquarters: VIII AF

CHARLES H. BOMAN, 0-21994, Lieutenant Colonel, Army Air Forces, United States Army  (Missing In Action [11 Jan 44]). For gallantry in action, while serving as Combat Lender of a Group of Flying Fortresses on a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe, 31 December 1943. After the lead group made their turn for the bombing run, the balance of the Wing formation, including the group led by Colonel Bowman, were unable to follow due to another unit cutting through the formation. Displaying initiative and cool judgment, Colonel Bowman quickly assumed command of the formation and taking a new heading, led them over the assigned target. In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire, the bombs of the formation were accurately released on a vital military installation. The gallantry, skill and leadership in battle displayed by Colonel Bowman materially aided in the successful completion of this important mission. His actions on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.