Highlights of Day by Day Air Operations
6 August 1944

With the fall of Rennes and the acquisition of airfields around that city, XIX TAC fighters were not only much closer to the scene of operations but also in a locality more favored by weather than the rain pelted Normandy peninsula.

The picture had changed; the encirclement had begun. In view of this, the main weight of XIX TAC's air power was shifted to the eastern front and the Loire valley, with patrols over the danger area in the Avranches corridor.

Squadrons covering XV Corps' 79th and 90th Infantry and 5th Armored Divisions between Laval and Mayenne found the hunting good, especially in tanks. One P-47 was lost; while strafing tanks it "mushed in" and exploded.

The day's combat sorties totaled 293. There were no enemy aircraft claims, but 35.5 tons of bombs were dropped on varied targets. In addition, 26 successful tactical and photographic reconnaissance missions were flown, and B-26's of IX Bombardment Division attacked the defenses of St. Malo in response to the XIX TAC request of 4 August.

"A successful day," pronounced Third Army's G-3 (Air) Section, "with attacks on all types of targets, from boats to field guns. Movement east, south, and west by ground troops was greatly facilitated."