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Seventy years later: 386th Bomb Group's participation in D-Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Our military has been shaped by those who have gone before us. So, in order to know where you are going, you must know where you came from.

In this case, for Airmen assigned to The Rock, ours is a rich history that should make each Marauder proud. Part of that history involves the role of the 386th Bombardment Group during D-Day 70 years ago.

The mission on D-Day was code named Operation Neptune. The target was the Normandy coast of France. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history and was known as the allied invasion that was the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

"Our unit played a significant part by clearing the coastal defenses that enabled the seaborne invasion," said Robert Spiers, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing historian. "The bombing by the 386th Bomb Group allowed soldiers and sailors to come ashore that day."

The 386th involvement in D-Day was not a random decision, but a well thought out plan. Most Marauder groups were assigned to bombing enemy defensive concentrations on the beaches. The 386th was selected to be the last formation of bombers to bomb just before the first assault troops hit the beach.

"General (Omar) Bradley, who had studied bombing patterns and bombing accuracy for several months prior to the invasion, selected the groups," said Spiers. "He made his selection based on the concentrated patterns and high record of accuracy maintained over months of bombing by the 386th."

The 386th was honored to have the epic responsibility for these bombing missions.

"The bombs that were dropped targeted 12 supply dumps and depots, eight coastal guns, seven defended villages and troop concentration, seven marshalling yards, five bridges, two headquarters and two flying bombing sites, said Spiers. The supply dumps and depot were the easiest.

The selection of each target had a specific purpose and each was tactical in nature.

"The eight coastal guns hampered the unloading of our troops and supplies along the beaches," said Spiers. "Several of the guns were attacked with the infantry's push into Cherbourg and one was attacked after taking the port of Cherbourg when a group of diehard Nazis held out on the Northwest tip of the peninsula and were firing into the city while American troops were clearing the town."

On this particular occasion the guns were firing away as the 386th dropped the bombs, said Spiers. It was one of the group's best strikes.

More than 150,000 Allied troops made it onto the beaches that day and their success was due in part to the successful, extensive bombing attacks, said Spiers.

"The bridges were chosen to be destroyed to prevent the enemy from bringing troops and supplies to the beach following the U.S. landings," said Spiers. "Two of the bridges that were tactically important were destroyed."

In order to disrupt the enemy's means of transporting troops and supplies, the attack on the seven marshalling yards was also necessary.

"One of those marshalling yards was the one at Rennes, which was the most important communication center for bringing in troops and supplies from the south and east to the enemy's front lines and to their troops on the Brest Peninsula," said Spiers.

The attacks against bridges and marshalling yards were effective in isolating the battle ground. Bad weather plagued D-Day, but the bombs dropped by the 386th were right on target.

"Our bombing efforts also cleared the way for troop carrier transport planes to fly behind the lines and drop paratroopers, equipment and supplies for the continued support of the invasion," said Spiers.

Not all bombings took place on D-Day. Two of the 386th's most challenging missions took place well after D-Day in St. Lo and Caen. They were two of the seven defended villages and troop concentrations and had to be bombed multiple times.

Of two cities, Caen was more difficult for the 386th.

It was held by strong formations of Panzer units and its anti-aircraft defenses were concentrated and effective.

"The bombing in Caen is known as the greatest air blow of all time," said Spiers. "It was bombed for over two hours at five-minute intervals."

"During the Normandy campaign, the group attacked 43 targets while 1,376 aircraft dropped 2,375 tons of bombs. The cost to the group was five aircraft lost and 195 of its planes battle damaged," said Spiers.

The 386th BG has passed on to each Marauder a proud heritage. D-Day is only one example of what they have accomplished. As the years roll by, it's up to us as Marauders to remember our rich heritage and the tremendous legacy that we have inherited. We possess a piece of that fabric that has been intricately woven by those who have gone before us. It is up to us to safeguard it; it is woven with their defeats and their victories. We cannot forget the courage, duty and self-sacrifice of all the men and women in the 386th both in WWII and those that preceded us now, in Southwest Asia.