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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 217 -- February 28, 1945, Wednesday PM Unna, Germany Ordnance Depot
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 217 -- February 28, 1945, Wednesday PM Unna, Germany Ordnance Depot
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Place of Take-Off : A-69 Laon/Athies, France A/C Dispatched : 43 Total -- 41 A-26's, 2 B-26's (PFF) Modified British System Reference: A-966299 Illustration : 3 (K) (34)/2 Secondary Target : Selected in accordance with IX Bomb Div Cipher F-576-E (9-2-45) Summary of Results : Unobserved due to cloud cover. 3 a/c dropped Window, 19 attacked Primary target, 19 attacked Siegen (Secondary). Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 51.56775,7.68817 (51° 34' 4" N, 7° 41' 17" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) rA966299) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 217 -- February 28, 1945, Wednesday PM
Unna, Germany -- Ordnance Depot
| 1 670th 43-22501 F6-W A-26C Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. Lt Maltby, A.H. S/Sgt Majewski, S.J. Col Aylesworth, T.R. |
2 669th 43-22492 2A-E A-26C Lt Blomgren, J.E. Lt Johnson, G.G. S/Sgt Fleming, L.R. |
3 670th 41-39416 F6-O A-26B Lt Bishop, E.G. Sgt Harris, M.C. |
| 4 670th 43-22330 F6-P A-26B Lt Musgrove, W. S/Sgt Licker, M. |
5 670th 43-22307 F6-N A-26B Lt Ford, R. Cpl Murro, D.J. |
6 670th 41-39286 F6-D A-26B Lt Turman, A.R. S/Sgt Leahigh, L.L. |
| 1 668th 43-22505 5H-Y A-26C Capt Stanley, C.S. F/O Blount, J.H., Jr. Sgt Edenburn, J.C. |
2 668th 43-22508 5H-Z A-26C Lt Jacobsen, O.F. F/O Harvest, R.W. Sgt Pettinicchi, A. |
3 668th 41-39325 5H-L A-26B Lt Hale, W.L. S/Sgt Geyer, J.F. |
| 4 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Parker, P.E. Lt Zeimet, L.R. S/Sgt Kochan, S.J. |
5 668th 41-39305 5H-U A-26B Lt Blevins, J.W. Pvt Hawk, D.W. |
6 668th 41-39361 5H-M A-26B Lt Laseter, W.H. Sgt Cross, R.M. |
| 1 668th 43-22481 5H-P A-26C Capt Andersen, C.J., Jr. Lt Babbage, W. S/Sgt Euga, P.G. |
2 668th 43-22495 5H-G A-26C Lt Buchanan, R.C. S/Sgt Calabrese, C.L. |
3 668th 43-22321 5H-T A-26B Lt Carver, J.H. Sgt Stewart, A.B. |
| 4 668th 41-39274 5H-S A-26B Lt Prucha, L.J. T/Sgt Wilson, G.C. |
5 668th 43-22385 5H-D A-26B F/O Gunkel, H.G. Sgt Grzona, L.J. |
6 668th 43-22378 5H-O A-26B Lt Annin, W.W. Sgt Pauker, J.L. |
| SPARE 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Sewell, J.C. Sgt Richards, D.B. |
| 1 671st 43-22498 5C-R A-26C Lt Heinke, W.R. Lt McNutt, M.C. Sgt VanWert, G.R. S/Sgt Teran, A. |
2 668th 41-39213 5H-A A-26B Lt Merchant, W.A. Sgt Ruskiewich, J.J. Sgt Stypenski, V.S. |
3 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Basford, F.P. Sgt Dalton, A.A. [Returned Early Excessive Fuel Pres. Oil Leak] |
| 1 670th 43-22503 F6-X A-26C Lt Rooney, R.J. Lt Kirk, R.L. Lt Koch, O.R. Sgt Kamischke, R.J. |
2 671st 43-22499 5C-G A-26C Lt Lackovich, J.J. Lt Muir, R.C. S/Sgt Connery, T.F. |
3 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Capt Gruetzemacher, R.O. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Ricketson, J.J. |
| 4 670th 41-39215 F6-R A-26B Lt Warren, J.R. Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr. |
5 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Stankowski, J.F. Sgt Kimball, A.H. |
6 670th 43-22320 F6-S A-26B Lt Wallace, J.F. Sgt Plant, R. |
| 1 671st 43-22497 5C-E A-26C Capt Tutt, R.J. Lt Beck, J.T. Sgt Wood, W.D. |
2 671st 41-39300 5C-K A-26B Lt Jokinen, W.R. Sgt Creeden, E.J. |
3 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Henderson, F.W. S/Sgt Schrom, R.G. |
| 4 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Capt Sutton, L.J., Jr. Sgt Gurkin, C.W., Jr. |
5 671st 41-39297 5C-T A-26B Lt Milhorn, G.L. Sgt Chest, D. |
6 671st 41-39332 5C-P A-26B Lt Fero, D.A. S/Sgt Skelton, T.W. |
| 1 669th 43-22521 2A-N A-26C Capt Stebbins, B.D. Lt Calloway, A.S. S/Sgt Brown, W.J. |
2 669th 43-22344 2A-C A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. Sgt Draft, L.B. |
3 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Anderson, C.M. Sgt Deatherage, J.H. |
| 4 669th 41-39314 2A-H A-26B Lt DuBose, M.W. S/Sgt Griffin, D.L., Jr. |
5 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Lt Hackley, R.H. Sgt Koons, H.A. |
6 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Depner, A.W. Sgt Gillespie, R.H. |
| SPARE 670th 41-39315 F6-F A-26B F/O Green, J.A. Sgt Kubjalko, A. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 217 -- February 28, 1945, Wednesday PM
Unna, Germany -- Ordnance Depot
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
The last mission of the month, no. 127, was flown on the 28th. The target to be attacked was the still very important ordnance depot at Unna. A 10/10ths cloud cover hung over Germany. A last minute equipment failure in the PPF plane of the first box prevented it from bombing. It was too late for the box leader to make a Gee run. As a result, he led his box on to attack the marshalling yards a Seigen on his own Gee equipment. The PPF equipment worked fine in the second PPF plane so that the second box was able to attack the primary target. Twenty-eight and one-half tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on each of the targets. The box leaders were Major Dunn, Lts Brewer and Maltby as B and N, and Lt Rooney, Lts Kirk and Koch as B and N.
Despite the inclement February weather, our Group had flown 22 missions. This was only a few missions less than we had flown during some of our best operational months. On these missions, 707 individual sorties were flown and 1032 1/2 tons of bombs were dropped on enemy installations. A month-end summary published by the Public Relations Office ties our operations with the general plan of battle for the whole of the 9th Bombardment Division.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 215 - 216
Mission #217 - 28 February - Unna Communication Center. Major Dunn with Lts. Brewer and Maltby, BNs - Lt. Rooney with Lts. Kirk and Koch BNs led boxes. Lts. Stanley and Blount, BN, Lts. Anderson and Babbage, BN, Captain Tutt and Lt. Beck, BN with Lts. Lackovich and Muir, BN, led flights - Cloud cover required PFF pathfinders to lead the formation. The PFF unit ran into some difficulty and did not signal a drop, but the BN box leader, using his own GEE equipment went on to bomb a marshalling yard at Seigen with good results. The second box got to drop with their PFF leader, dropping incendiary bombs on the primary target. This facility included two dozen large buildings and barracks which were demolished. This was another milk-run - No fighters or flak.
"Operational History 668th Bomb Squadron (416th Bomb Group (L)) WWII"
Wayne Williams, et.al.
The mission today was briefed early, but didn’t take off till early in the afternoon. A hefty haze clings to the ground during the morning, and doesn’t usually clear till noon. On the loading list for Gp Mission # 217, were twelve crews, including the three B/N Teams of Stanley & Blount Jacobsen & Harvest, and Andersen & Babbage.
The ordnance depot at Unna, Germany was the target. The planes were loaded with 500 lb. GP’s, and they were dropped through the clouds at 12,500 feet, with the bombing being accomplished with "PFF" and "Gee".
The results of the bombing were again "undetermined", with a heavy cloud cover preventing the taking of any pictures. The formation returned safely to the base after four hours of flight. Flak was nil, thusly no damages, casualties, or losses.
This was # 1 for 2nd Lt. –eimet, although not at the stick, he rode with Lt. Parker and learned the feeling of a mission.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
To complete the operational schedule for the month, this squadron participated in attacks on the Unna Ordnance Depot and the Seigen Marshalling Yards on the 28th. The 217th operational mission of the 416th Bombardment Group (L) was flown on this date.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The Sindorf Communications center was bombed on 26th February and
Unna Ordnance Depot on the 28th to conclude the month's operations.
Major Dunn was transferred to the 671st Squadron on the 28th of
February to take command. Major Collins H. Ferris assumed command or
our squadron. At a ceremony held in the mess hall that evening, Major
Dunn addressed the squadron after presenting Bronze Star Ribbons to
T/Sgt's Anderson, Ewing, Spillett, Thompson, Bos, McClellan and S/Sgt
Pelligrino.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
Rounding out one of their most active months and one of their most important tactical assignmentsàsupporting the drive to the Rhine Riveràthe 416th Group struck at the Una Ordnance Depot and other targets in the vicinity on February 28th, 1945. Guns from this heavily defended target, which had knocked down eight ships of four groups on February 16th, were silent on this mission due to a solid cloud covering.
Box I bombed the Marshalling Yard at Seigen when the PFF failed at the Primary. The Group lead dropped on Gee. The Pathfinder aircraft of the second box bombed as scheduled and all planes of the Box dropped on it, hitting Una, with undetermined results.
This depot, 11 miles west of Dortmund, contains 20 large buildings and barracks. It is one of the three main ordnance depots supplying German troops on the Western Front with all types of equipment.
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[February 28, 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 28, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |