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Ruhr Valley Invaders
When the seasoned B-26 crews of the 386th Bomb Group took delivery of their
Douglas A-26 Invader aircraft in September 1944, the arrival of their new fast
attack bombers neatly coincided with a move to France. Now based at
Beaumont-sur-Oise, they were able to penetrate deep into enemy territory. The
three man crews took part in the Battle of the Bulge, their twin engined
aircraft being well suited to their task of destroying strategic bridges and
cutting vital supply lines. After the Ardennes Campaign, now fully equipped with
the A-26, the 386th BG continued to strike hard against important targets in
Germany, the nimble handling characteristics of the aircraft making low-level
attacks a speciality. As the Allies advanced upon Germany the 386th moved to St.
Trond in Belgium, their base at the time of Nicolas Trudgians dramatic painting.
Arriving at high speed over the busy German rail yard in the heart of the Ruhr
Valley, barely skimming the nearby factory chimney stacks on the way into the
target, the A-26 crews on the 386th deliver a devastating blow, leaving a trail
of destruction in their wake. With bombs away, the Invader crews strafe the area
with their battery of ten forward-firing .50 cal. machine guns, the roar of
their twin 2000hp engines heightening the tension and confusion on the ground. |
