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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 188 -- January 21, 1945, Sunday PM Euskirchen, Germany Railroad Bridge
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 188 -- January 21, 1945, Sunday PM Euskirchen, Germany Railroad Bridge
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Place of Take-Off : A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France A/C Dispatched : 40 Total -- 10 A-20's, 29 A-26's, 1 B-26 (PFF) Modified British System Reference: F-343295 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : Three aircraft dropped Window, Scores by flight - 1 No Rating, 2 Undertermined, 1 Excellent, 2 Superior. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.66136,6.80744 (50° 39' 41" N, 6° 48' 27" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) wF343295) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
| Date | Report |   |
A/C Serial # Type |
Mis- sion # |
Bomb Sq |
Location | Personnel (Status when available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 21, 1945 Sunday |
No_Report | 41-39238 A-26B |
188 | 669 | Willard, Jack A. (Not Injured)
Hinker, Cletus V. (WIA) |
= Entries having actual Reports available for review. = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 188 -- January 21, 1945, Sunday PM
Euskirchen, Germany -- Railroad Bridge
| 1 670th 44-073 F6-J A-20K Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. S/Sgt Majewski, S.J. S/Sgt Burger, L.C. |
2 670th 41-39222 F6-S A-26B Lt Musgrove, W. S/Sgt Seighman, H.O. |
3 670th 41-39235 F6-M A-26B Lt Popeney, H.V. Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr. |
| 4 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Warren, J.R. S/Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr. |
5 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Lt Sheley, S.H. Sgt Paladino, D.V. |
6 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Turner, E.O. S/Sgt Seinkiewicz, J. |
| 1 670th 43-9439 F6-V A-20J Lt Stanley, C.S. F/O Blount, J.H., Jr. Sgt Collier, C.B. S/Sgt Sylva, H.J. |
2 668th 41-39188 5H-R A-26B Lt Jacobsen, O.F. Sgt Gooch, H.I. |
3 668th 43-22290 5H-L A-26B Lt Hale, W.L. S/Sgt Geyer, J.F. |
| 4 668th 41-39219 5H-E A-26B Lt Harris, F.W. Sgt Williford, C.W. |
5 668th 41-39233 5H-F A-26B Lt Prucha, L.J. T/Sgt Wilson, G.C. |
6 668th 41-39259 5H-H A-26B Lt Russell, R.A. Cpl Spence, J.I. |
| 1 671st 44-106 5C-E A-20K Lt Greenley, R.E. Lt Basnett, R.J. S/Sgt Orvold, C.R. S/Sgt DiMartino, A.E. |
2 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Winn, A.J.P. S/Sgt Stephenson, G.G. |
3 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Fero, D.A. S/Sgt Rojas, A.A. |
| 4 671st 43-22326 5C-W A-26B Lt Herman, A.E. S/Sgt DeBower, D.H. |
5 671st 41-39208 5C-L A-26B Capt Nielsen, L.C. Sgt Schmidt, K.W. |
6 671st 43-22313 5C-B A-26B Lt Jokinen, W.R. Cpl McNellis, D.E. |
| SPARE 671st 41-39234 5C-P A-26B Lt Milhorn, G.L. Sgt Chest, D. |
| 1 668th 43-22026 5H-M A-20J Lt Mish, C.C. Lt Shaft, R.E. S/Sgt Roberts, J.H. Sgt Windisch, R.P. |
2 670th 44-614 F6-A A-20K Lt McCready, T.D. Sgt Hood, A.R. Sgt Miller, W.A. |
3 671st 43-22023 5C-X A-20J Lt Brown, N.G. Sgt Harmon, C.D. Pvt Willever, E.J. |
| 1 670th 43-21467 F6-W A-20J Capt Monroe, H.A. Lt Kirk, R.L. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. Cpl Neal, D.E., Jr. |
2 671st 44-185 5C-G A-20K Lt Singletary, R.B. Lt Rosenquist, A.E. S/Sgt Wiggins, H.G. S/Sgt Turpin, S.J. |
3 670th 43-22337 F6-O A-26B Lt Barausky, P.P. S/Sgt Hall, M. [Not Airborne Plug Change] |
| 4 670th 43-22307 F6-N A-26B Lt Johnson, E.L. Sgt Richards, D.B. |
5 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Turman, A.R. Sgt Wright, H.T. |
6 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Cook, J.A. S/Sgt Jackson, W.S. |
| 1 669th 43-22024 2A-E A-20J Lt Blomgren, J.E. Lt Johnson, G.G. S/Sgt Bookach, M. S/Sgt Fleming, L.R. |
2 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt Moskowitz, L. [Not Airborne Not Enough RPM] |
3 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Poundstone, L.E. Sgt Richardson, L.L. [Returned Early Engine Trouble] |
| 4 669th 43-22292 2A-H A-26B Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Basford, F.P. |
5 669th 41-39241 2A-F A-26B Lt Johnson, R.K. Cpl Brandt, H.E. |
6 669th 41-39238 2A-M A-26B Lt Willard, J.A. Cpl Hinker, C.V. |
| 1 668th 43-22063 5H-A A-20J Lt Col Napier, J.G. Lt Moore, D.L. S/Sgt Donnelly, W.W. Sgt Kruger, C.J. |
2 668th 41-39264 5H-I A-26B Lt VanRope, R.W. Cpl Klingman, W.H. |
3 668th 43-22378 5H-O A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. Cpl Sumner, W.R., Jr. |
| 4 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Sorrels, D.W. S/Sgt Malara, V.A. |
5 669th 43-22306 2A-X A-26B Lt Anderson, C.M. Cpl Deatherage, J.H. |
6 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Weinert, C.E. Cpl Dubi, R.J. |
| SPARE 671st 41-39237 5C-D A-26B Lt Cocke, J.B. Cpl Redding, R.D. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 188 -- January 21, 1945, Sunday PM
Euskirchen, Germany -- Railroad Bridge
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
After four non-operational days, 35 aircraft attacked the railroad bridge at Euskirchen on the 21st. Bombing visually by flights, excellent to superior results were achieved. The bombs fell across the bridge, onto the railroad tracks, and into the marshalling yards to do extensive damage. Moderate accurate flak hit the formation at the target and on the turn off. Twelve aircraft suffered category "A" damage, and one, category "AC." Major Dunn, Lt Brewer, B-N, and Captain Monroe, Lt Kirk, B-N, were the box leaders.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 195 - 196
Mission #188 - 21 January - Euskirchken Railroad Bridge. Major Dunn and Lt. Brewer, BN led Box I with Captain Monroe and Lt. Kirk, BN leading Box II. Lt. Stanley and F/O Blount, BN Captain Greenley and Lt. Basnett, BN led flights. B-26s had attacked this bridge before, but the Germans had rebuilt it with railroad tracks. Our bombs hit the bridge and bombs tore up an attached marshalling yard. Window dropping preceeded the formation, but heavy flak got through to the planes, causing damage on a few planes. No injuries. Bombing was on PFF which the first box followed. The second box did not see the PFF signal, so did not drop. The results of flight bombings were rated two superior and one excellent. Two did not drop. Captain Greenley and Lt. Basnett, BN leading a flight, had their elevator trim tab freeze up, causing the plane to slip away from the formation. They attemped to join up other flights but did not make it properly, dropping their bombs away from the target.
"Operational History 668th Bomb Squadron (416th Bomb Group (L)) WWII"
Wayne Williams, et.al.
A break in weather gave us group Mission # 188 today. Filling out the loading list from our squadron were; B/N Team of Stanley & Blount, Lt’s Jacobsen, Harris, Prucha, Russell, McCready, and Hale. Flying "window" for the formation was the B/N Team of Mish & Shaft. Lt. Stanley led our crews in the second flight of the first box.
The target bombed was the railroad bridge at Euskirchen. The bridge was an important target on the supply route form Cologne to the German front. "Marauders" had hit it before, but the Jerries had repaired the damage and run a track across it again.
Moderate accurate heavy flak was encountered just before the target was reached, damaging the planes in formation. None were hit seriously, and the bombs were dropped with precision. The bombing was done by flights from/on Group lead from 11,000 and 12,000 feet. The return journey was made without any interference of any kind, and the formation landed after a journey of four hours.
Photos taken and later developed gave the results of the mission. Of the six flights, two scored "superior", one "excellent", two "undetermined", and one A.P.N.B. F/O Blount, who guided our flight’s bombs, brought back a "superior" to the squadron. he is rapidly making himself a name as a bombardier. This mission ended the day’s activities.
"668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Other outstanding missions during the month include the attack on Benzig rail bridge 16 January, on which Captain McNulty and Lt. Forma scored an Excellent and Captain Evans and F/O McCartney a Superior; the sortie against Euskirchen bridge 21 January for which Captain Stanley and F/O Blount were given a Superior; and the assault upon the Communications Center of Schleiden, 24 January, which marked the 19th consecutive Excellent for Lt. Arvid R. Hand, veteran Bombardier whose pilot is Major Robert F. Price, Squadron Commander.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Taking off on the 21st, our crews participated in a very successful attack on the Euskirchen railroad bridge. Despite the moderate accurate flak on the target and on the turn-off--causing battle damage to 13 of the aircraft--the crews went in to drop their bombs squarely across the bridge, railroad tracks, and into the marshalling yard. Lt. Col Napier, Lt. Moore, B-N, and Lt. Blomgren, Lt. G.G. Johnson, B-N, led two of the flights. Although there was no photo coverage of their work, crews reported that they scored excellent results.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The Euskirchen Railway Bridge was bombed with superior results on 21 January, with twelve of our crews taking part. The bombs fell across the bridge, on the tracks and into the marshalling yards, heavily damaging the area. Major Dunn and Lt Brewer led the first box and Captain Monroe and Lt Kirk led the second box on this mission.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
In their first mission in five days the 416th Bomb Group attacked the Euskirchen Rail Bridge, 12 miles northwest of Bonn on an important supply route from Cologne to the German front. Marauders left the bridge unserviceable on December 23rd. But since then one of the five rail lines that crossed the River Erft at this point had been repaired. A Pathfinder took the group in, but relinquished its lead when it was found that visual bombing could be employed.
Two superiors, an excellent, and two undetermined results were chalked up as well as a P.N.B. The latter was Captain Greenley and Lt. Basnett. Their elevator trim tabs froze up when they were peeling off for the bomb run. Captain Greenley tried to tag on with the first flight, but was still not in position and his bombs dropped 1300 feet from the DMPI.
Three window ships went along as flak was anticipated and furthermore met. Thirteen ships received battle damage, but all returned safely.
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[January 21, 1945], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, January 21, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |