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This photograph from the the 321st Bombardment Group's post-war 'Headlines' pamphlet shows one of the group's B-25J Mitchells taking part in the pre-invasion bombardment of the south of France in support of Operation Dragoon.
ORIGINAL CAPTION: PRE-INVASION BOMBARDMENT - Thirty minutes before the troops landed in southern France 321st B-25's bombed the beaches. Clouds of smoke and dust may be seen rising from the target as this Mitchell bomber heads for home. The bombs used on the beaches exploded many mines, easing the job of the ground forces when they went ashore. Bombing gun positions and communications, 12th Air Force B-25's paved the way for the invasion 11 days prior to D-Day.
This document comes from a pamphlet produced by the 321st Bombardment Group after the war, which told the story of the group's activities from 15 March 1943-15 March 1945 in the form of a newspaper.
Many thanks to Christine Stewart for sending us this document, which came from the collection of her father in law Eugene W. Stewart, a staff sergeant in transportation with the 321st Bombardment Group.