English version

One of the DZ for the containers was located near our area, in Limousin, Correze to be even more precise, and around Sussac to be exact.

I'd like to know if you have any information on which of the 447th aircrafts was ordered to drop their containers there. It would be really helpful, as one of our member is thinking about making a diorama of one of these aircrafts to commemorate this local event.

Bye.
Alexandre Mazin
webmaster of French Aircraft Modelers Association 'Club du Theil'

         "C'était notre 5ème mission, nous étaient le vol l'avion 016 qui avait toujours un pistolet installé dans la salle par radio. Le pistolet a été actionné par une trappe ouverte dans le toit. Le procédé normal devait avoir l'opérateur de radio ouvrent sa porte au compartiment de bombe pour vérifier que toutes les bombes (dans ce cas-ci conteneurs) se sont laissées tomber librement. Sur cette mission un des épingles de chape qui se sont tenues les parachutes de conteneur avaient retiré et quand George Schwegle ouvrent la porte le descendeur a volé dehors dans la salle par radio et hors de la trappe de pistolet, juste au sujet d'enlever la tête de George. Il pouvait couper les lignes de monture et nous avons traîné le descendeur toute la manière en arrière drapée au-dessus de la queue. La Résistance s'épuisaient déjà dans le secteur quand nous avons fait notre passage et quelqu'un pourrait avoir été frappé par la conteneur sans parachute."

MISSION NO. 109 (Area No: 10, Cadillac) 14.7.44 
   The 447th "A" Group took off twelve aircraft plus one airborne 
spare between the hours of 0342 and 0459 hours and made a bad weather 
assembly over the field at 17,000 feet. Take-off was delayed due to 
aircraft damaged on runway and 447th "A" Group leader with over half 
of the aircraft scheduled to take off from Rattlesden were one hour 
late taking off. Assembly was made using the same plan which First 
Division is now using cutting some forty minutes off the time allotted 
us for this mission. Wing assembly was cut out to make up the addit- 
ional time lost and Reading, (1st point on Division assembly) was made 
on time and on course and at proper altitude. No flak or enemy fighters 
were observed. All aircraft returned to base. 
    Twelve aircraft of the 447th "B" Group plus one airborne spare 
took off between the hours of 0355 and 0457 to form the low Group of 
the 4th "C" Wing which was third of the Third Divisions forces. Wing and 
Division assemblies were as briefed except that the Group leader was 
delayed in take off and effected his assembly with the Group at ass- 
embly point Z. Group assembly was difficult because of the darkness 
at assembly time. One aircraft did not attack; one aircraft returned 
with a container which failed to drop. No flak or fighter opposition 
was encountered and all aircraft returned to the base. 
    Thirteen aircraft of the 447th "C" Group plus one airborne spare 
took off between the hours of 0330 and 0345 to form the high Group of 
the 4th "C" Wing. Bad weather assembly was made over the field at 
17,500 feet; difficulty was had in Wing assembly due to late take-offs 
in the lead Group. Division assembly times were made good with other 
wings, but Division was a few minutes early at all control points on 
route to the target. The Wing went south of the target to miss clouds 
and the target time was a few minutes late. The route back was as 
briefed, except for a short cut after the rally point to make up lost 
time. All aircraft returned safely to the base.

447th Bombardment Group Summary of Operations, 7.44 (pp 14-15)