In preparation for the invasion of mainland Europe (D-Day) on June 6th, 1944, the 8th Air Force concentrated much of it's bombing missions on the French coast. Two days before D-Day, Lt. Erickson and crew completed their 20th mission over Calais, France and on the 5th attempted another mission over Boulogne, France, but returned with a full bomb load due to severe weather. That mission was not counted.

In the early morning hours of June 6th, Lt. Erickson and crew flying aboard the B-17 'Lili of the Lamplight' (44-6085) completed their 21st mission over Calais - Boulogne, France (a No Ball strike on coastal V1 and V2 Installations).

Hours after my father returned to Horham in the late morning, he wrote a letter to his family back in Dakota. The full letter and envelope are attached below.

He writes in the beginning of the letter dated at the top, June 6th, 1944, England:

Dear Dad, Mom & Dinny,
Today was the big day. The Invasion finally came off! Imagine there’s a lot of forecasting and talk back there? We never got to go on that seven day flak pass. Was supposed to leave today, but I guess we won’t get it now. However, I guess if we can make it any easier on the ground, it’s worth giving up.

The Air Corps been in the war for a couple years, so I guess it’s their turn now, but we hope for their sake that it’s short. The ground forces are going to have it rough. Dad probably realizes that. But we are glad someone besides the Air Corps is getting into this deal!

Lt. Erickson stated in the letter about his dad knowing it would be rough for the ground forces starting on June 6th. It was a reference to Frank Erickson who served in the 308th Infantry in France in 1918. Frank was one of the few fortunate survivors that escaped from the Argonne Forest and for that intense experience in the early days of October of 1918, his company would be forever known as the "Lost Battalion."

My father Lt. Ernest Anders Erickson kept many things from his years in the Air Corps. It's a truly amazing collection of photographs, documents, equipment and hundreds of letters and postcards. He often sent home things to his folks in Bismarck, North Dakota between 1942 and 1945, his years in the Air Corps. In late 1943 through 1945 he piloted various planes and after his combat flying became a flight instructor.

From February through October 1944 Ernest Anders piloted B-17s out of Horham Airfield in England with the 95th Bomb Group (Heavy) on thirty five missions over German occupied Europe.

His parents Clara and Frank Erickson kept everything safe and sound that they received for decades. My dad retrieved much of the collection and I certainly enjoyed seeing the photographs whenever I had the opportunity. After my father passed in 2013 I began to seriously delve into this incredible archive. Much of it I have already posted here on this site.

Along the way of archiving my father's collection I came across a thick envelope of 'The Stars and Stripes' newspapers that contained thirty copies dating from March 29th through August 28th, 1944. These dates coincide with Ernest Anders thirty five missions that he and crew accomplished between March 27th and their final and 35th mission on August 26th, 1944.

Below are details of my father's 21st mission in the early morning of June 6th, 1944 over Calais - Boulogne, France, a No Ball - V1 and V2 Installation strike. Also added is a photograph of the crew of the 'Lili of the Lamplight' (44-6085).

The front page of The Stars and Stripes Newspaper dated June 7th, 1944 reported the eventful day of June 6th activities during the invasion of mainland Europe. Lt. Erickson and crew flying the B-17 'Lili of the Lamplight' (44-6085) contributed along with the 334th Squadron on the June 6th missions.

Also featured below are Lt. Erickson's hand written mission notes from June 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th, 1944.

The headlines read:
"This Was The Invasion'

Allies Driving Into France
Opposition Less Than Expected; Troops 10 miles In
Greatest Umbrella For Landing
Armadas Of Allied Planes Hammer Nazi Targets
Eisenhowers's Orders Of The Day

In preparation for D-Day, 3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over England and the Atlantic Ocean. During the night, 11 B-24s fly Carpetbagger missions (aerial supply of weapons and other material to French Resistance Fighters).

Mission details: June 5th, 1944
On the previous day of June 5th, 1944, Lt. Erickson and crew
and the 334th Squadron attempted a mission over Normandy, France.
Mission Does Not Count.
Details below:

The Eighth Air Force reaches its top strength as the 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) becomes operational, making a total of 40 heavy bomber groups now operational. Heavy bombers fly 4 missions in support of the Normandy invasion:

At first light, 659 of 882 B-17s and 418 of 543 B-24s hit coastal targets in the area of the invasion beaches between Le Havre and Cherbourg; overcast and inability of the bombers to locate (or absence of) lead flight leaders causes failure of some units to attack. 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 14 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged. 12 airmen are killed in action, 2 wounded in action and 13 are missing in action.

A second mission strikes at transportation choke-points in towns immediately around the assault area. With total cloud cover causes 84 B-17s and 259 B-24s dispatched to return with their bombs, but 37 B-24s manage to bomb the secondary target of Argentan. 2 B-24s are lost and 1 B-17 is damaged and there are no casualties.