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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 273 -- April 16, 1945, Monday AM Zerbst, Germany Built Up Area
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 273 -- April 16, 1945, Monday AM Zerbst, Germany Built Up Area
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Place of Take-Off : A-69 Laon/Athies, France A/C Dispatched : 38 Total -- 38 A-26's Modified British System Reference: RD-990839 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : Four flights Undetermined, one Excellent, one No Attack - flight leaders did not attack because briefed TOT limit would have been exceeded before second run could be made after collision course with other flights prevented bombing on first run. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 51.97542,12.09031 (51° 58' 32" N, 12° 5' 25" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) rD990839) (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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16, 1945 Monday |
No_Report | 43-22352 A-26B |
273 | 671 | Mooney, Sterling (Not Injured)
Buckley, Walter C. (WIA) |
= Entries having actual Reports available for review. = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 273 -- April 16, 1945, Monday AM
Zerbst, Germany -- Built Up Area
| 1 669th 43-22609 2A-N A-26C Maj Shaefer, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. Lt Conner, J.K. S/Sgt Malloy, J.F. |
2 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Lt Hackley, R.H. S/Sgt Hawk, O.T. |
3 669th 43-22383 2A-V A-26B Lt Wills, P.W. S/Sgt McGaughy, W.S. |
| 4 669th 41-39338 2A-O A-26B Lt DuBose, M.W. Sgt Dalton, A.A. |
5 669th 41-39263 2A-G A-26B Lt Smith, D.E. S/Sgt Kirik, S.J. |
6 669th 41-39314 2A-H A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. Lt Britt, J.W. S/Sgt Draft, L.B. |
| 1 671st 43-22490 5C-X A-26C Lt Lackovich, J.J. Lt Muir, R.C. Cpl Barry, R.M. |
2 671st 43-22352 5C-J A-26B Lt Mooney, S. Sgt Buckley, W.C. |
3 671st 41-39328 5C-D A-26B Lt Cocke, J.B. S/Sgt MacCartney, W.A. |
| 4 671st 41-39297 5C-T A-26B Lt Fero, D.A. S/Sgt Rojas, A.A. |
5 671st 41-39300 5C-K A-26B Lt Wallman, M. Sgt Helt, A. |
6 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Wright, J.R. Sgt Ruskiewich, J.J. |
| 1 671st 43-22498 5C-R A-26C Capt Pair, H.F. Lt Corum, J.L. F/O Przywitowski, S.J. S/Sgt Swank, O.E. |
2 671st 43-22313 5C-B A-26B Lt Hlivko, A.E. Sgt Farmer, L.J. |
3 671st 43-22356 5C-C A-26B Lt Graeber, T.E. S/Sgt Miller, A.H. |
| 4 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Capt Sears, A.C. M/Sgt Wells, J.J. |
5 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Simpson, R.L. Sgt Stypenski, V.S. |
6 671st 41-39360 5C-L A-26B Lt Price, D.L. S/Sgt Barber, F.E. S/Sgt Miller, H.K. |
| SPARE 670th 41-39205 F6-M A-26B Lt Stankowski, J.F. Sgt Vellinga, J.R. |
| 1 669th 43-22487 2A-J A-26C Maj Sommers, H.L. Lt Kupits, J. Lt Vollmayer, K.A. S/Sgt Heath, K. Capt Murphy, G.D., Jr. |
2 669th 41-39362 2A-Y A-26B Lt Smith, B.A. Sgt Richards, D.A. |
3 669th 43-22381 2A-Q A-26B Capt Shapard, J.M. S/Sgt McGuire, J.J. |
| 4 670th 41-39286 F6-D A-26B Lt Allen, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Getgen, L.R. |
5 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Dunn, F.G. Sgt Pikel, J.M. |
6 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Harper, R.B. Sgt Black, R.M. |
| 1 670th 43-22501 F6-W A-26C Lt Warren, J.R. Lt Forbes, T.M. S/Sgt Turpin, S.J. |
2 670th 43-22330 F6-P A-26B Lt Musgrove, W. S/Sgt Licker, M. |
3 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Capt Gruetzemacher, R.O. S/Sgt Ricketson, J.J. |
| 4 670th 41-39564 F6-V A-26B Lt Chitty, W.D., Jr. S/Sgt Ottaviano, J.O. S/Sgt Cianciosi, A.A. |
5 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Balch, W.M. Cpl Wilson, B.R. |
6 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B F/O Boerner, S.B., Jr. Cpl Eddy, K.A. |
| 1 668th 43-22640 5H-N A-26C Lt Laseter, W.H. Lt Schlefer, M.P. S/Sgt Cross, R.M. |
2 668th 43-22505 5H-Y A-26C Lt Annin, W.W. Lt Martin, R.L. S/Sgt Rivard, C.J. |
3 668th 41-39325 5H-L A-26B Lt Hale, W.L. S/Sgt Bentzler, D.H. |
| 4 668th 43-22385 5H-D A-26B Lt Montrose, J.H. S/Sgt Fuehrer, W.F. |
5 668th 41-39264 5H-I A-26B Lt Blevins, J.W. S/Sgt Geyer, J.F. |
6 668th 41-39274 5H-S A-26B Lt Drum, E.B. Sgt Schwartzkopf, J.R. |
| SPARE 668th 41-39305 5H-U A-26B Lt Colquitt, J.K. S/Sgt Lemonds, W.E. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 273 -- April 16, 1945, Monday AM
Zerbst, Germany -- Built Up Area
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Two missions were flown on the 16th. In the morning, 31 out of 38 planes dropped 186x500 lb incendiary clusters on the built-up area of the town of Zerbst, seven miles ahead of the Second Armored Division and 83rd Infantry Division. One flight was unable to bomb because the briefed TOT time limit ran out before a second run could be made. A collision course with other flights prevented bombing on the first run.
Although smoke from a previous attack hung over the target, excellent results were scored on the marshalling yards and in the town itself. In the yards, 100-150 wagons were destroyed, eight sheds, three warehouses, and 25-30 other buildings were set afire. Smoke made it impossible to estimate the damage done to the town although flames were seen shooting up through the smoke. Major Shaefer (Lts Hand and Connor, B&N) and Major Sommers (Lts Kupits and Vollmayer, B&N), led the two boxes. There was weak but accurate flak on the bomb run and two aircraft suffered battle damage.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 253
Mission #273 - 16 April - AM - Zerbst Marshalling Yard. Of the 38 planes on this mission, 31 dropped 500 pound incendiary bombs, seven miles in front of the advancing U.S. Second Armored Division and the 83rd Infantry Division. One flight was unable to bomb and he hoped to make a second run at the target. His TOT would have caused a collision course with another flight scheduled for that moment, so they did not drop. Although smoke from a previous attack hung over the target, excellent results were scored on the marshalling yards and in the town itself. In the Yards, 100 to 150 wagons were destroyed, eight sheds, three warehouses and 25 to 30 other buildings were set afire. Smoke made it impossible to estimate the damage done to the town, although flames were seen shooting up through the smoke. Major Shaefer with Lts. Hand and Conner, BNs, and Major Sommers with Lts. Kupits and Vollmayer, BNs led the boxes. Lt. Warren and Forbes, BN, Captain Pair and Lt. Corum BN and Lt. Lackovich and Lt. Muir led flights.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Two missions were flown on the following day. The built up area of Zerbst was the target for the morning mission. Major Shaefer, who assumed command of the squadron, as of the seventeenth of April, led the entire formation. He had Lt. Conner and Lt. Hand, of the 668th Bombardment Squadron (L), as his Navigator and Bombardier. Major Sommers, with Lts. Kupits and Vollmayer, led the Second Box of the formation. Excellent results were obtained.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Two missions were again flown on 16 April 1945. The morning mission, No. 273, target, the Zerbst Communication center against which excellent results were achieved. Our flight was led by Lt. Warren and Lt. Forbes. No. 274 was flown in the afternoon with 11 of our crews taking part. The target was Wittenburg Marshalling Yard, and the results were undetermined. Our crews were scheduled to lead both boxes, but Capt. Evans of the 668th squadron led the first box with our wingmen and Lt. Brewster with Lt. Dennis and F/O Conley led the second box. On this day Sgt. Elmer J. Willever, a gunner, was transferred to the 323rd Bomb Group. A memorial service in honor of our deceased President was conducted with nearly all of the 416th Group personnel and the 4th Service Group personnel present. Chaplains Penticoff and Doyle gave excellent talks during the service.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
April 16th, 1945
Striking close to the heart of Germany û Berlin, the A-69 Invaders hit two marshalling yards southwest of the city on April 16th 1945. In the morning the Group attacked the yards in Zerbst, dropping incendiaries on the buildings, tracks and cars with successful results. Fires were started in the center of the yard and spread rapidly. Flak was encountered on the bomb run, but all ships returned for the morning sortie.
The formation which was to attack the Wittenburg Marshalling Yard in the afternoon ran into bad weather near the target area and only one flight was able to bomb. A thick haze and clouds obscured the target, results being undetermined. Two ships received battle damage, but all crews returned safely.
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[April 16, 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 16, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |