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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 261 -- April 4, 1945, Wednesday AM Crailsheim, Germany Barracks
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 261 -- April 4, 1945, Wednesday AM Crailsheim, Germany Barracks
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Place of Take-Off : A-69 Laon/Athies, France A/C Dispatched : 41 Total -- 39 A-26's, 2 B-26's (PFF) Modified British System Reference: S-687619 Secondary Target : Hall (S-460590) Summary of Results : Unobserved due to cloud cover. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 49.13387,10.05113 (49° 8' 2" N, 10° 3' 4" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) wS687619) (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 # 261 -- April 4, 1945, Wednesday AM
Crailsheim, Germany -- Barracks
| 1 669th 43-22487 2A-J A-26C Capt Miller, E.L. Lt Conner, J.K. Lt Moore, D.L. S/Sgt Pemberton, J.M. |
2 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Lt Hackley, R.H. S/Sgt Basford, F.P. |
3 669th 43-22381 2A-Q A-26B F/O Swap, F.W. Sgt Meliniotis, N. |
| 4 669th 41-39244 2A-I A-26B Lt DuBose, M.W. S/Sgt Griffin, D.L., Jr. |
5 669th 41-39362 2A-Y A-26B Lt Wills, P.W. S/Sgt Bookach, M. |
6 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Capt Shapard, J.M. S/Sgt McGuire, J.J. |
| 1 671st 43-22499 5C-G A-26C Lt Lackovich, J.J. Lt Muir, R.C. Cpl Barry, R.M. |
2 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Mooney, S. Sgt Schumacher, R.C. |
3 671st 43-22498 5C-R A-26C Lt VanNoorden, H.M. F/O Brandt, C.W. S/Sgt Swank, O.E. |
| 4 671st 41-39360 5C-L A-26B Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Mowell, R.F. Cpl Schoen, A.E., Jr. |
5 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Capt Nielsen, L.C. Lt Price, R.L. Sgt Maupin, W.W. |
6 671st 41-39300 5C-K A-26B Lt Simpson, R.L. Sgt Stypenski, V.S. |
| 1 671st 43-22497 5C-E A-26C Capt Tutt, R.J. Lt Orr, L.A. Sgt Wood, W.D. |
2 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Withington, D.L., III S/Sgt Connery, T.F. |
3 671st 41-39297 5C-T A-26B Lt Winn, A.J.P. S/Sgt Stephenson, G.G. |
| 4 671st 43-22313 5C-B A-26B Lt Remiszewski, A. S/Sgt DiOrio, F.M. F/O Lehneis, A.J., Jr. |
5 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Lt Cocke, J.B. S/Sgt MacCartney, W.A. |
6 671st 43-22356 5C-C A-26B Lt Milhorn, G.L. Sgt McNellis, D.E. |
| SPARE 668th 41-39188 5H-R A-26B Lt Long, R.H. S/Sgt McCarthy, C.J. |
| 1 669th 43-22492 2A-E A-26C Lt Blomgren, J.E. Lt Johnson, G.G. Lt Morley, B.J. S/Sgt Fleming, L.R. |
2 669th 41-39314 2A-H A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. Sgt Sumner, W.R., Jr. |
3 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Willard, J.A. S/Sgt Hinker, C.V. |
| 4 669th 41-39338 2A-O A-26B Lt Sorrels, D.W. S/Sgt Malara, V.A. |
5 669th 41-39263 2A-G A-26B Lt Haskell, R.W. Sgt Lea, E.W. |
6 670th 41-39212 F6-K A-26B Lt Smith, D.E. S/Sgt Kirik, S.J. |
| 1 670th 43-22528 F6-T A-26C Lt Heinke, W.R. Lt Rosenquist, A.E. S/Sgt Hall, M. |
2 670th 43-22501 F6-W A-26C Lt Barausky, P.P. Lt Sheehan, W.E., Jr. Cpl Wilson, B.R. |
3 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Bower, R.S. Sgt Rhoney, C.B. |
| 4 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Downing, W.E. Sgt Neal, D.E., Jr. |
5 670th 41-39416 F6-O A-26B Lt O'Brien, J.V. Sgt Corey, F.E. |
6 670th 41-39315 F6-F A-26B Lt Wallace, J.F. S/Sgt Hummer, J.A. |
| 1 668th 43-22505 5H-Y A-26C Lt Jacobsen, O.F. Lt Harvest, R.W. S/Sgt Geyer, J.F. |
2 668th 41-39325 5H-L A-26B Lt Phillips, J.P. S/Sgt Skeens, C.L. |
3 668th 41-39335 5H-W A-26B Lt Carver, J.H. S/Sgt Graham, N.M. |
| 4 670th 43-22330 F6-P A-26B Lt Montrose, J.H. S/Sgt Felkel, J.W. |
5 668th 41-39259 5H-H A-26B Lt Drum, E.B. Sgt Schwartzkopf, J.R. |
6 668th 41-39352 5H-J A-26B Lt Zeimet, L.R. Sgt Sereno, F.L. T/Sgt Childs, H.A. [Childs (4th CCU)] |
| SPARE 668th 41-39274 5H-S A-26B Lt Tank, F.R. Sgt Harmon, F.B. |
CAMERA 668th 43-22640 5H-N A-26C Maj Roney, K.T. S/Sgt Ottaviano, J.O. W/O Scheuerman, C.B. Sgt Snider, S.J. [Scheuerman, Snider (4th CCU)] |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 261 -- April 4, 1945, Wednesday AM
Crailsheim, Germany -- Barracks
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Again on the 4th, clouds in the target area necessitated the use of PPF equipment in attacking the Crailsheim barracks area. The formation of 39 aircraft dropped a total of 58 tons of incendiary bombs on the target. Although the results were not observed, photo reconnaissance later found the barracks almost entirely gutted. Capt Miller, Lts Connor and Moore, B&N, led the first box; Lt Blomgren, Lts Johnson and Morley, B&N, led the second box.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 247 - 248
Mission #261 - 4 April - Crailsheim Barracks. The formation
of 39 aircraft dropped a total of 59 tons of incendiary bombs on
this target, unfortunately through clouds using PFF pathfinder
leaders. Photo reconnaissance found the barracks almost entirely
gutted. This barracks were used for marshalling troops and
equipment to reinforce German positions in the path of the U.S.
Seventh Army. Captain Miller with Lts. Conner and Moore BNs
led the first box. Lt. Blomgren with Lts. Johnson and Morley
BNs led Box II. Lts. Lackovich and Moore, BN, Lt.
Van Noorden and F/O Brandt, BN, and Captain Tutt with Lt. Orr
BN, led flights.
On April 6, Five Star General Hap Arnold, Supreme
Commander of the Army Air Forces presented the Distinguished
Service CROSS to Captain Leland C. Nielsen for his heroism on
23 January on a bomb-strafe mission at Blankenheim.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On the fourth of the month, the Crailsheim Barracks, in Germany, were attacked. Again cloud cover required that PFF aircraft be used to lead the formation on the bombing run. Lt. Miller, with Lts. Conner and Moore, and Lt. Blomgren, with Lts. Johnson and Morley, led the first and second boxes of the formation, respectively. The navigators reported that good results should have been obtained, because the indices on the "Gee" boxes crossed at the time the bombs were released. No observation of the results was possible.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Again on 4 April cloud cover prevented observation of results of the mission against Crailsheim Barracks. On this date notice was received of promotions to First Lieutenant of Second Lieutenants Bower, Ford and Turner.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
April 4th, 1945
The 416th struck at the Crailsheim barracks area, 46 miles northeast of Stuttgart by Pathfinder technique on the morning of April 4th, with undetermined results. It was reported that Crailsheim barracks area and marshalling yards were active in moving troops and equipment to reinforce German positions in the path of the U.S. Seventh Army. The Invaders dropped 232 x 500 incendiary bombs on the target without loss, casualties, or battle damage.
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[April 4, 1945], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, April 4, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |