9th AF Patch

416th Bombardment Group (L)

Mission # 200 -- February 8, 1945, Thursday AM

Nutterden, Germany

Defended Area

 

WWII-Medal

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Summary of Operations

Field Order        : 160-738
OpRep #            : 311
Nature of Mission  : Bombing
Mission Status     : Attacked
Bombing Altitude   : 10,500 - 12,500 feet
Take-off Time      : 0947
Time Over Target   : 1112 - 1113
Landing Time       : 1312
Duration (Hrs:Min) : 3:25
 

Place of Take-Off  : A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France
A/C Dispatched     : 42 Total -- 40 A-26's, 2 B-26's (PFF)
Target Ref         : Operation VERITABLE Area V-14
Illustration       : GSGS 4414 Sheet 4202
Illustration Ref   : 84005435, 83755485
Secondary Target   : Suitable Alternate 10 miles or more from the bombline in Enemy held territory
Summary of Results : Town of Elton (E-920640) was bombed because of inclement weather at Primary. Results Unobserved (Box 1 (4) flights, and Box 2 (3) flights bombed on Gee and ETA respectively.)

Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 51.77543,6.05640 (51° 46' 32" N, 6° 3' 23" E)
(Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) qE840543)
(See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ)


Scanned original Mission 200 documents (multipage PDF files)

Mission Folder       Reports Folder       OpRep # 311       Fuel Use

If nothing happens on Click, check to see if the PDF file was automatically saved to your computer. Depending on Internet speed, the display or download may be slow.
These Public Domain, Declassified Mission documents were graciously provided to the 416th BG Archive by the dedicated staff of the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA).
An on-line index of records held by AFHRA up to 2001 is available at Air Force History Index.org.
Most of these PDF files are unaltered originals provided by the AFHRA, a few have been re-organized.
Pages may be out of sequence; files may contain scanned blank pages and/or pages scanned upside-down; some pages may be included in more than one file.
The "Mission Folder" usually contains the majority of documents for a Mission, including Field Orders, Status Reports, Pilot Interrogations, Photos (if available), etc.




Loading List 1

Loading List 1, Box I


Loading List 2

Loading List 2, Box II with "Extra Flight"


Route Map

Route Map


Target Topo Map

Primary Target area around MBS Coordinate (NGZ) qE840543
Extracted from GSGS-4416/AMS-M641 Sheet P1 - "Bocholt" 1:100:000 Military Topographic Map
(Downloaded from Map Archive of Wojskowy Instytut Geograficzny 1919 - 1939,
GSGS 4416 / AMS M641, 651, 671 Germany, Poland, Middle Danube 1:100,000,
Bocholt sheet)
(Note: This coordinate and map display represent the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ)

(Annotated Full Map PDF)





Missing Air Crew Reports, Aircraft Accident Reports, and other incidents

         Date          Report

A/C
Serial #
Type
Mis-
sion
#
Bomb
Sq
Location Personnel (Status when available)
Feb 8, 1945
Thursday
AAR
45-2-8-538
41-39222
A-26B
200 670 3 miles south Villeneuve St. George Steed, George Hubert Jr. (Fatal)
Tranchina, Carl E. (SWA, EUS)


To view more information regarding an Incident/Report, click on the Report hyperlink.
( = Entries having actual Reports available for review.   = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)
To view an individual's Memorial page, click on the "Name" hyperlink.



Mission Loading Lists Transcription

Mission # 200 -- February 8, 1945, Thursday AM
Nutterden, Germany -- Defended Area

Included are Box, Flight and Position; Bomb Squadron; Aircraft Serial Number, Fuselage Code and Model; and Crew Members
transcribed from individual mission Loading List documents by Chris and Mary Adams and Carl Sgamboti.
Some information, such as Squadron, Serial Number, etc. has been expanded from other documents.

Box I -- Flight I
  1  671st                   
  43-22499  5C-G  A-26C
  Lt Col Willetts, D.L.
  Lt Royalty, P.G.
  Lt Muir, R.C.
  Cpl Rose, J.W.
  2  671st                   
  43-22490  5C-X  A-26C
  Capt Greenley, R.E.
  Lt Basnett, R.J.
  S/Sgt Miguez, J.H.
  [Not Airborne]
 
  3  671st                   
  41-39239  5C-N  A-26B
  Lt Henderson, F.W.
  S/Sgt Thompson, G.H., Jr.
 
 
  4  671st                   
  43-22313  5C-B  A-26B
  Lt Remiszewski, A.
  S/Sgt DiOrio, F.M.
 
 
  5  671st                   
  43-22326  5C-W  A-26B
  Lt Ames, W.H.
  S/Sgt Huss, C.F.
 
 
  6  671st                   
  41-39332  5C-P  A-26B
  F/O Wilson, H.J.
  Sgt Stypenski, V.S.
 
 

Box I -- Flight II
  1  668th                   
  43-22508  5H-Z  A-26C
  Maj Price, R.F.
  Lt Forma, W.
  Lt Harvest, R.W.
  S/Sgt Fetko, C., Jr.
  2  668th                   
  43-22378  5H-O  A-26B
  Lt Annin, W.W.
  Sgt Pauker, J.L.
 
 
  3  668th                   
  41-39331  5H-C  A-26B
  Lt Russell, R.A.
  Sgt Spence, J.I.
 
 
  4  668th                   
  41-39335  5H-W  A-26B
  Lt Wright, J.W.
  S/Sgt Profita, P.J.
 
 
  5  668th                   
  41-39305  5H-U  A-26B
  Lt Long, R.H.
  Sgt McCarthy, C.J.
 
 
  6  668th                   
  43-22389  5H-X  A-26B
  Lt Blevins, J.W.
  S/Sgt Gooch, H.I.
 
 

Box I -- Flight III
  1  670th                   
  43-22503  F6-X  A-26C
  Lt Rooney, R.J.
  Lt Kirk, R.L.
  S/Sgt Caudell, S.R.
 
  2  670th                   
  41-39321  F6-V  A-26B
  Lt Sheley, S.H.
  Sgt Tharp, F.M.
 
 
  3  670th                   
  41-39215  F6-R  A-26B
  Lt Warren, J.R.
  S/Sgt Turpin, S.J.
 
 
  4  670th                   
  41-39315  F6-F  A-26B
  Lt Merritt, T.S.
  S/Sgt Gatti, R.J.
 
 
  5  670th                   
  43-22337  F6-O  A-26B
  Lt Cook, J.A.
  S/Sgt Jackson, W.S.
 
 
  6  670th                   
  43-22307  F6-N  A-26B
  Lt Bower, R.S.
  Sgt Rhoney, C.B.
 
 


Box II -- Flight I
  1  671st                   
  43-22498  5C-R  A-26C
  Capt Pair, H.F.
  Lt Corum, J.L.
  S/Sgt Cheuvront, R.W.
 
  2  668th                   
  43-22523  5H-N  A-26C
  Capt Shea, D.F.
  Lt Koch, O.R.
  S/Sgt Urbanicio, F.R.
 
  3  671st                   
  43-22356  5C-C  A-26B
  Lt VanNoorden, H.M.
  S/Sgt Steffey, R.I.
 
 
  4  671st                   
  41-39208  5C-L  A-26B
  Lt Gary, J.C.
  Pvt Schoen, A.E., Jr.
 
 
  5  671st                   
  43-22352  5C-J  A-26B
  Lt Wright, J.R.
  Sgt Gross, V.F.
 
 
  6  671st                   
  41-39249  5C-F  A-26B
  Lt Cocke, J.B.
  Sgt Redding, R.D.
 
 

Box II -- Flight II
  1  669th                   
  43-22492  2A-E  A-26C
  Capt Hulse, D.A., Jr.
  Lt Conte, R.F., Sr.
  Lt Enman, R.E.
  S/Sgt Donnelly, W.W.
  2  669th                   
  43-22292  2A-H  A-26B
  Lt Willard, J.A.
  Sgt Hinker, C.V.
 
 
  3  669th                   
  43-22306  2A-X  A-26B
  Lt Martin, E.C.
  Lt Britt, J.W.
  Sgt Draft, L.B.
 
  4  669th                   
  43-22381  2A-Q  A-26B
  Lt Behlmer, R.L.
  S/Sgt McGaughy, W.S.
 
 
  5  669th                   
  43-22344  2A-C  A-26B
  Lt Weinert, C.E.
  Sgt Dubi, R.J.
 
 
  6  670th                   
  No Aircraft      
  Lt Johnson, R.K.
  Sgt Brandt, H.E.
  [No A/C [spare filled Lt Johnson's position]]
 
 

Box II -- Flight III
  1  669th                   
  43-22521  2A-N  A-26C
  Lt Col Napier, J.G.
  Lt Moore, D.L.
  Lt McQuade, R.J.
  S/Sgt Carstens, R.W.
  2  669th                   
  41-39244  2A-I  A-26B
  Lt VanRope, R.W.
  Sgt Klingman, W.H.
 
 
  3  669th                   
  41-39229  2A-B  A-26B
  Lt Anderson, C.M.
  Sgt Deatherage, J.H.
 
 
  4  670th                   
  43-22330  F6-P  A-26B
  Lt Smith, J.F., Jr.
  S/Sgt Reiter, G.E.
 
 
  5  670th                   
  41-39222  F6-S  A-26B
  Lt Steed, G.H., Jr.
  Sgt Tranchina, C.E.
  [Crashed Near Villenuve St. George]
 
 
  6  670th                   
  41-39205  F6-M  A-26B
  Lt Hayter, E.R.
  S/Sgt Basford, F.P.
  [Not Airborne Prop Blast from Preceeding Aircraft Blew Barrel into Prop]
 
 

Box II
  SPARE  669th               
  43-22300  2A-P  A-26B
  Lt Jokinen, W.R.
  Sgt McNellis, D.E.
 
 
                                                           

Box II -- Flight EXTRA
  1  668th                   
  43-22505  5H-Y  A-26C
  Lt Stanley, C.S.
  F/O Blount, J.H., Jr.
  Sgt Edenburn, J.C.
 
  2  668th                   
  41-39188  5H-R  A-26B
  Lt Parkhurst, G.J.
  Sgt Newman, F.
 
 
  3  668th                   
  43-22321  5H-T  A-26B
  Lt Colquitt, J.K.
  S/Sgt Mohr, C.M.
 
 
  4  668th                   
  41-39213  5H-A  A-26B
  Lt McCready, T.D.
  S/Sgt Lemonds, W.E.
 
 
  5  668th                   
  41-39274  5H-S  A-26B
  Lt Drum, E.B.
  Sgt Schwartzkopf, J.R.
 
 
  6  670th                   
  41-39223  F6-B  A-26B
  Lt Prucha, L.J.
  S/Sgt Heitell, S.L.
 
 



Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 200 -- February 8, 1945, Thursday AM
Nutterden, Germany -- Defended Area


"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives

The big day arrived on the 8th. After an aerial barrage similar to that of St Lo, the Canadian First Army was to step off in an offensive that was soon to reach the Rhine northwest of Dusseldorf. Weather again was very bad, but our planes went in to do an excellent job. A letter of commendation was received on the bombing. The mission marked the first time that we had bombed equipped solely with A-26s. The new A-26C with a glass nose led the flights and boxes. The planes carried 250-lb. fragmentation bombs, dropping 99 1/2 tons on the target. This was the greatest tonnage ever dropped by the Group. The mission also marked the 200th flown by the Group. The 200 mission had been flown in the span of a few days more than 11 months. Col Willetts, with Lt Royalty and Lt Muir as B and N, had the pleasure of leading the formation on its 200th mission. Captain Pair, Lt Corum, B-N, led the second box. While returning to the base, Lt C.H. Steed called the control tower saying that he had only a few minutes fuel left. It was the last word heard from him. His plane was found later in a field near Villers St George, where it had crashed. Lt Steed was killed. His gunner, Sgt C.E. Tranchina, was seriously injured in the crash and died the next day [NOTE: Sgt Tranchina did not die, but was Evacuated to the U.S.]. Their bodies were interred at the American Military Cemetery, Solars Seine et Marne, France. The mission was successful and marked the beginning of a series of attacks all along the front. ... Sgt C.E. Tranchina, who had been seriously wounded in a crashlanding in January, in which his pilot, Lt Steed, was killed, was evacuated to the States.


"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 206

Mission #200 - 8 February - Nutterden-Crannenberg, Holland. Colonel Willetts and Lt. Royalty, BN and Captain Pair, Lt. Corum, BN led boxes. Captain Hulse and Lt. Conte BN led a flight. The group has now been outfitted with glass nosed A-26s, releasing the popular A-20s, for leading flights. The concept of two BNs riding in the nose of the A-26s started, with one man responsible for the navigation and the other to be the bombardier. Lt. Muir rode with Lt. Royalty as the combination BN team. Clouds obscured the target again. The secondary targets were hit with good results. Lt. Stead reported he was low on gas, but then there was no further communication from him. His plane had crashed, killing him and seriously injuring his gunner, Sgt. C. E. Transhina [Tranchina] who died the next day [NOTE: Sgt Tranchina did not die, but was Evacuated to the U.S.].

The Canadian and British ground forces were scheduled for a big push toward Dusseldorf, and aerial bombardment was called to clear some of the path for them. The Canadian First Army stepped off on an offensive to reach the Rhine River. While weather was bad our bombing helped since we received a letter of commendation for the excellent bombing accomplished.


"Operational History 668th Bomb Squadron (416th Bomb Group (L)) WWII"
Wayne Williams, et.al.

8th of February – this mission # 200 was flown with twelve crews representing our squadron. Price & Hand, Stanley & Blount led our flights. The defended area at Nutterden was the target bombed, this action in accordance with the ground strategy. This time the bombs were dropped on "Gee", and again no photos were taken to establish the success of the mission. The formation returned after a 3:45 flight with a comparatively quiet time of it.


"668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

On 8 February, a sortie against the defended area at Nuttenden marked the 200th mission for the Group in less than a year of operations.


"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

February 8th was quite a noteworthy day. The squadron engaged in its 200th mission against the enemy. The area on the Canadian First Army and British Second Army front near Cleve, Germany, was attacked. The results of the mission were unobserved because of 10/10ths cloud cover. On this mission, Capt. Hulse and his B/N Lt. Clonte [Conte] led the second flight of the Second box, while Lt. Col. Napier and Lt. Moore led the third flight of the second box. (A-26C aircraft were used for the first time to lead flights on this mission.) The 200th mission was marred by an unfortunate accident. Enroute back to the base, the airplane piloted by Lt. Steed ran short of fuel. Lt. Steed attempted a forced landing near Villers St. George, France. The airplane crashed into some trees. The pilot was killed instantly, and the gunner, Sgt. Tranchina, was seriously injured.


"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

Seven of our crews took part in an attack 8th February on the Nutterden. 98 1/2 tons of 260 pound fragmentation bombs were dropped. This was the Group's 200th mission.


"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns

Group Mission Number 200 on February 8th, 1945

The "Bridge-Bustin", "Road-Blocking", "Town Smashing" 416th Bomb Group set what is probably an all time record on February 8th, 1945 by running its 200th mission in less than a year of Operations. The Group ran its mission on March 3rd, 1944 and reached the 100th mission mark on July 18th, 1944.

The lead for this record mission went to the 671st Bomb Squadron, with Lt. Colonel Willetts and Lt. Royalty leading the first box and Captain Pair and Lt. Corum leading the second.

It was ironical that the A-20 Havoc would never see its 200th mission with this Group, but that was the case. The formation was composed entirely of A-26 Invaders for the first time. A-20Js and Ks had been used for leading flights since the Group converted to the A-26s in October, but new A-26Cs replaced the veteran A-20s on this 200th mission.

The formation was briefed and sent off as a visual mission, but adverse weather was encountered in the target area. Unable to pick out the primary which was the defended village of Nutterden, Colonel Willetts dropped on the German town of Elton with the aid of Gee, while Captain Pair dropped his lead on the same town using ETA, as his Gee box was out. In all, 37 A-26s dropped 739 x 260 frags in the area.

There was no battle damage, but one ship crashed 12 miles from the base because of a fuel shortage. The pilot, Lt. Steed of the 669th Squadron, was killed and his gunner was seriously injured.




[February 8, 1945], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map

Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe
as of approximately 1200 hours, February 8, 1945
World War II Military Situation Maps Collection
Library of Congress


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