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18 Sept 44
SUBJECT: Commendation
TO : Commanding General, 15th Air Force, C.M.F.
It is the desire of this headquarters to commend officially the 885th Bombardment Squadron (H) Special under the command of Colonel Monro MacCloskey for the outstanding work done in the supply of Resistance Groups in FRANCE.
Since the 5th July, the 885th Squadron has flown 607 sorties into FRANCE with 484 sorties being successfully completed. During this period they have dropped a total of 123 Allied agents and 2,117,650 pounds of arms and ammunition. Detailed statistics of dropping operations are given in Appendix "A".
It is believed that resistance in FRANCE has materially contributed both to the tactical success of the armies in FRANCE and has been a potent aid towards the general morale of the occupied countries. During the early stages of the breakout from the CHERBOURG Peninsula, the 3rd Panzer Division, instead of fighting on the NORMANDY front, was engaged in fighting the MAQUIS in and around the VERCORS Plateau while the 11th Panzer Division was unable to move North because all main railroad lines around TOULOUSE, CAHORS, BRIVE, and LIMOGES had been blown while all main roads were blocked by the destruction of bridges, railroad cars, burned out railroad mines and tire-bursters. During the period advance of the 7th Army to LYONS, French Resistance was armed, and successfully accomplished the task of guarding the Army's right flank along the FRANCO-ITALIAN border.
The organization and supply of French Resistance has been entirely dependent upon air transportation. The 885th Squadron has flown unescorted over these territories in search flights, special projects on in both moon and non-moon periods. It has flown over extremely difficult terrain, in poor weather, and in most cases with little rest for either air or ground crews. At all times the personnel have carried out their duties in an extremely efficient manner and with the greatest cooperation by all ranks.
Special commendation is to be awarded for exceptional performance of duty of the night on the 12th August 1944. On this occasion the Squadron accomplished the difficult and hazardous task of delivering by night 18 agents and 67,000 pounds of arms, ammunition, and special supplies, to the hard pressed French Forces of the Interior at secret targets scattered throughout Southern France. Operations were conducted individually by each aircraft alone and unescorted on the long flight across the Mediterranean from North Africa. In the complete darkness of a moonless night the pilots and navigators reached their targets unerringly and carried out their missions with a 100% success. Rarely has such an attainment been achieved under such difficult conditions. Most of the men and material was dropped in areas for direct assistance to the invasion which occurred three days later. It is believed that this mission was of inestimable value in supporting the invasion and bringing about the rapid advance of our armies in Southern FRANCE.
WILLIAM P. DAVIS, /s/ WILLIAM P. DAVIS, /t/ Colonel, F.A., Commanding, SPOC/US.
A certified true copy.
EDWARD H. BRADFORD, Major, Air Corps.
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