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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 275 -- April 17, 1945, Tuesday AM Magdenburg, Germany Built Up Area
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 275 -- April 17, 1945, Tuesday AM Magdenburg, Germany Built Up Area
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Place of Take-Off : A-69 Laon/Athies, France A/C Dispatched : 42 Total -- 42 A-26's Modified British System Reference: RD-670993 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : Primary target results - 2 Undetermined, 1 Unsatisfactory, 2 Superior, 1 Excellent. One flight attacked Flak Positions, Undetermined results. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 52.12932,11.63690 (52° 7' 46" N, 11° 38' 13" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) rD670993) (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 # 275 -- April 17, 1945, Tuesday AM
Magdenburg, Germany -- Built Up Area
| 1 671st 43-22498 5C-R A-26C Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. Lt Kerns, J.E. S/Sgt Rose, J.W. |
2 671st 41-39328 5C-D A-26B Lt Mooney, S. Sgt Schumacher, R.C. |
3 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Capt Sears, A.C. M/Sgt Wells, J.J. |
| 4 671st 41-39297 5C-T A-26B Lt Ames, W.H. S/Sgt Barber, F.E. |
5 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Hlivko, A.E. Sgt Graub, R.E. |
6 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Wallman, M. Sgt Helt, A. |
| 1 669th 43-22492 2A-E A-26C Lt Turner, D.O., Jr. Lt McGivern, P.J. Lt Morley, B.J. S/Sgt Reyes, M.R. |
2 669th 41-39314 2A-H A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. S/Sgt Draft, L.B. |
3 669th 41-39263 2A-G A-26B Lt Dunn, F.G. Sgt Stein, L.C. |
| 4 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Maj Sommers, H.L. S/Sgt Heath, K. |
5 669th 41-39362 2A-Y A-26B Lt Smith, B.A. Sgt Wilson, R.P. |
6 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Harper, R.B. Sgt Black, R.M. |
| 1 669th 43-22609 2A-N A-26C Capt DuFault, W.F. Lt Cardinale, O.A. S/Sgt Donnelly, W.W. Col McAfee, J.B. [McAfee (97th CBW)] |
2 669th 41-39393 2A-M A-26B Capt Shapard, J.M. S/Sgt McGuire, J.J. |
3 669th 43-22381 2A-Q 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 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Weinert, C.E. Sgt Francis, R.D. |
6 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Depner, A.W. S/Sgt Gillespie, R.H. Sgt Snider, S.J. [Snider (4th CCU)] |
| 1 671st 43-22499 5C-G A-26C Lt Buskirk, J.A. Lt Hanna, R.C. F/O Przywitowski, S.J. S/Sgt Corbitt, C.H., Jr. |
2 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Lt Fero, D.A. S/Sgt Skelton, T.W. |
3 668th 41-39233 5H-F A-26B Lt VanNoorden, H.M. S/Sgt Thompson, G.H., Jr. |
| 4 668th 41-39259 5H-H A-26B Lt Remiszewski, A. S/Sgt Miguez, J.H. Sgt Mirabella, P.A. [Mirabella (4th CCU)] |
5 668th 43-22378 5H-O A-26B Lt Cocke, J.B. S/Sgt Redding, R.D. |
6 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Wright, J.R. Sgt Ruskiewich, J.J. |
| 1 670th 43-22528 F6-T A-26C Lt Errotabere, M. Lt Wilbur, M.F. S/Sgt Willever, E.J. |
2 670th 41-39232 F6-N A-26B Lt Sheley, S.H. S/Sgt Langley, T.R. |
3 670th 41-39286 F6-D A-26B Lt Wallace, J.F. Sgt Plant, R. |
| 4 670th 41-39205 F6-M A-26B Lt Bishop, E.G. Pfc Finnell, D.O. |
5 670th 41-39416 F6-O A-26B Lt Stankowski, J.F. Sgt Kimball, A.H. |
6 670th 41-39315 F6-F A-26B Lt Curtis, J.C. Sgt Mulzet, O.F. |
| 1 670th 43-22501 F6-W A-26C Lt Hall, R.B. Maj Ferris, C.H. F/O Goss, T.L. S/Sgt Jackson, W.S. |
2 670th 41-39398 F6-Q A-26B Maj Conant, H.F. Lt Page, L.J. S/Sgt Candler, H.C.S. |
3 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Lt Musgrove, W. S/Sgt Seighman, H.O. |
| 4 670th 41-39564 F6-V A-26B Lt Chitty, W.D., Jr. Sgt Raccio, V.B. S/Sgt Ottaviano, J.O. |
5 670th 41-39212 F6-K A-26B Lt Balch, W.M. Cpl Brennan, J.D. |
6 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B F/O Boerner, S.B., Jr. Cpl Eddy, K.A. |
| 1 668th 43-22484 5H-C A-26C Lt Parker, P.E. Lt Shaft, R.E. S/Sgt Bentzler, D.H. |
2 668th 43-22508 5H-Z A-26C Lt Annin, W.W. Lt Martin, R.L. S/Sgt Rivard, C.J. |
3 669th 43-22487 2A-J A-26C Lt Prucha, L.J. Lt Reeves, F.A., Jr. S/Sgt Ferguson, L.C. |
| 4 668th 41-39325 5H-L A-26B Lt Hale, W.L. S/Sgt Geyer, J.F. |
5 668th 43-22385 5H-D A-26B Lt Long, R.H. S/Sgt McCarthy, C.J. |
6 668th 41-39335 5H-W A-26B Lt Zeimet, L.R. Sgt Ray, R.K. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 275 -- April 17, 1945, Tuesday AM
Magdenburg, Germany -- Built Up Area
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
The 17th was another two mission day. The heavily-defended city of Magdeburg was the target. Excellent results were scored on the town and its marshalling yard. One flight misidentified the target and caused extensive damage to buildings and roads 2 1/2 miles southwest of the original aiming point. The three box leaders were Major Dunn (Lts Brewer and Kerns, B&N), Lt Buskirk (Lt Hanna and F/O Przywitowski, B&N), and Lt Parker, Lt Shaft, B-N.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 254
Mission #275 - 17 April - AM - Magdeburg Town. The Ninth Army was advancing across the Elbe River and this target was in the path they had detailed. There were eleven other bomb groups bombing this heavily defended town. Our ground forces were withdrawn about 1500 yards from the town, which was destined to be totally destroyed according to the high command. This was done, with all those groups going after it. This town was the heaviest organized resistance our ground forces had run into, signifying its importance to both fighting forces. The 416th provided three boxes to do their part, resulting in superior and excellent patterns of bomb drops. Major Dunn with BNs Brewer and Kerns led Box I. Lt. Buskirk with Lt. Hanna and F/O Przywitowski led the second box with Lt. Parker and Lt. Shaft, BN on Box II. Flights were headed up by Lt. Hall with F/O Coss BN and Lt. Errotabere and Lt. Wilbur BN. No flak was met.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Superior bombing results were obtained by the formation that attacked the defended town of Magdeburg. This attack was made on the morning of April 17th. Lt. Turner, with Lts. McGivern and Morley, led the Second Flight of the First Box, while Capt. DuFault, with Flight Officer Cardinale, led the Third Flight of the same box.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The fast pace of two missions a day was continued on 17 April 1945. 12 of our aircraft flew on the morning mission; target Magdeburg, which was maximum effort. Lt. Hall/F/O Goss and Lt. Errotabere/Lt. Wilbur led our flights with results reported as excellent to superior. 12 crews also participated in the second mission for the day, No. 276, target, Tubingen Ordnance Depot. Results were good to excellent. Our flights were led by Lt. Popeney/Lt. Fry and Lt. Heinke/Lt. Rosenquist, Lt. Pavey. This was the first mission for Lt. Pavey and Lt. Peppers, Navigators.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
April 17th, 1945
The heavily defended city of Magdeburg, standing in the way of the Ninth Army's advance across the Elbe River, was pounded for nearly four hours on the morning of April 17th as the ten other bomb division groups dropped tons of explosives on the defended town. Major Dunn, Lt. Brewer and Lt. Kerns led the formation and bombs from their flight fell into the town with superior results. Lt. Buskirk and Lt. Hanna led the second box, but received an undetermined as the target ran off the edge of the film. Visual observation indicated that the bombs fell in the town with excellent results. There was no battle damage.
The 416th was the first Group to bomb the defended city after ground forces withdrew 1,500 yards. The order was to completely level the town. U.S. forces have met their heaviest organized resistance since the breakthrough at that point.
In the afternoon the Invaders hit a supply center for the Nazis's proposed final stronghold in the Bavarian hills of southwestern Germany. Large quantities of stores were believed damaged, warehouses destroyed and rail lines cut by the 416ths' bombing of Tubingen, 18 miles south of Stuttgart. Lt. Lackovich and Lt. Muir led the 671st flight. From visual reports they scored an excellent, but the target ran off the edge of the film and they were given an undetermined. Again flak was not encountered and all crews returned in tact.
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[April 17, 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 17, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |