416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 283 -- April 26, 1945, Thursday AM Plattling, Germany Landing Grounds
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Place of Take-Off : A-69 Laon/Athies, France A/C Dispatched : 47 Total -- 47 A-26's Modified British System Reference: WU-764350 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : Primary target scores - 2 Superior, 5 Excellent. One flight attacked 16 gun Flak Position, Undetermined results. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 48.79977,12.86849 (48° 47' 59" N, 12° 52' 7" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) wU764350) (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 # 283 -- April 26, 1945, Thursday AM
Plattling, Germany -- Landing Grounds
1 671st 43-22497 5C-E A-26C Lt Brown, C.J. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. Lt Kerns, J.E. S/Sgt Sunderland, H.E. |
2 671st 43-22352 5C-J A-26B Lt Mooney, S. Sgt Buckley, W.C. |
3 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Lt Remiszewski, A. S/Sgt DiOrio, F.M. |
4 669th 41-39393 2A-M A-26B Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Barry, R.M. |
5 671st 41-39328 5C-D A-26B Lt Cocke, J.B. Sgt Mowell, R.F. S/Sgt MacCartney, W.A. |
6 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Hlivko, A.E. Sgt Graub, R.E. |
1 669th 43-22609 2A-N A-26C Lt Turner, D.O., Jr. Lt McGivern, P.J. Lt Morley, B.J. S/Sgt Reyes, M.R. Capt Wade, H.W. |
2 669th 43-22383 2A-V A-26B Capt Shapard, J.M. S/Sgt Donnelly, W.W. |
3 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Lt Weinert, C.E. Sgt Francis, R.D. |
4 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Allen, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Getgen, L.R. |
5 669th 41-39362 2A-Y A-26B Lt Dunn, F.G. Lt Britt, J.W. Sgt Pikel, J.M. |
6 669th 43-22381 2A-Q A-26B F/O Swap, F.W. Sgt Santandrea, M. |
1 669th 43-22304 2A-T A-26C Lt Jordan, C.S. Lt Mulgrew, R.P. S/Sgt Jensen, K.F. |
2 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Housley, C.H. Sgt Block, P.J. |
3 669th 41-39319 2A-A A-26B Lt Harper, R.B. Sgt Black, R.M. |
4 669th 41-39338 2A-O A-26B Lt DuBose, M.W. S/Sgt Gilbert, C. |
5 669th 41-39263 2A-G A-26B Lt Poundstone, L.E. Sgt Sumner, W.R., Jr. |
6 669th 41-39314 2A-H A-26B Lt Smith, D.E. S/Sgt Burland, A.J. |
SPARE 670th 41-39315 F6-F A-26B Lt Curtis, J.C. Sgt Mulzet, O.F. |
1 670th 43-22677 F6-J A-26C Lt Warren, J.R. Lt Forbes, T.M. S/Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr. |
2 670th 41-39286 F6-D A-26B Lt Wallace, J.F. Sgt Plant, R. |
3 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Chitty, W.D., Jr. Sgt Raccio, V.B. S/Sgt Richards, D.B. |
1 671st 43-22499 5C-G A-26C Lt Buskirk, J.A. Lt Hanna, R.C. S/Sgt Corbitt, C.H., Jr. F/O Smetanka, P.L. |
2 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Spires, J.W. S/Sgt Davis, L.E. |
3 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Winn, A.J.P. S/Sgt Stephenson, G.G. |
4 671st 43-22326 5C-W A-26B Capt Sears, A.C. M/Sgt Wells, J.J. |
5 671st 41-39300 5C-K A-26B Lt Wallman, M. Sgt Helt, A. |
6 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Simpson, R.L. Sgt Stypenski, V.S. [A/C Went Out on ______ [?] Plug change] |
1 668th 43-22484 5H-C A-26C Lt Parker, P.E. Lt Shaft, R.E. S/Sgt Edenburn, J.C. |
2 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Carver, J.H. S/Sgt Stewart, A.B. |
3 668th 41-39188 5H-R A-26B Lt Blevins, J.W. S/Sgt Gentry, F., Jr. |
4 668th 41-39352 5H-J A-26B Lt Roberts, W.H. S/Sgt Hood, A.R. |
5 668th 41-39233 5H-F A-26B Lt Parkhurst, G.J. Sgt Hawk, D.W. |
6 668th 41-39325 5H-L A-26B Lt Long, R.H. S/Sgt McCarthy, C.J. |
1 670th 43-22501 F6-W A-26C Lt Heinke, W.R. Lt Rosenquist, A.E. S/Sgt VanWert, G.R. |
2 670th 41-39212 F6-K A-26B Maj Conant, H.F. S/Sgt Turpin, S.J. |
3 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Capt Gruetzemacher, R.O. S/Sgt Candler, H.C.S. S/Sgt Elliott, F.W. |
4 670th 41-39416 F6-O A-26B Lt Errotabere, M. S/Sgt Lynch, P.R. |
5 670th 41-39205 F6-M A-26B Lt Turman, A.R. S/Sgt Licker, M. |
6 670th 43-22320 F6-S A-26B Lt Sheley, S.H. Sgt Corey, F.E. |
1 668th 43-22640 5H-N A-26C Lt Prucha, L.J. Lt Reeves, F.A., Jr. S/Sgt Ferguson, L.C. |
2 668th 43-22385 5H-D A-26B Lt Drum, E.B. Sgt Musarra, A.J. |
3 668th 41-39259 5H-H A-26B Lt Tank, F.R. S/Sgt VanGalder, D.W. |
4 668th 43-22389 5H-X A-26B Lt Cannon, L.E. T/Sgt Wilson, G.C. |
5 668th 41-39274 5H-S A-26B Lt Evarts, A.V. Sgt Fagan, C.D. |
6 668th 41-39305 5H-U A-26B Lt Zeimet, L.R. Sgt Ray, R.K. |
SPARE 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Henson, A.G. Sgt Wright, H.T. |
CAMERA 670th 41-39398 F6-Q A-26B Lt Bower, R.S. Sgt Rhoney, C.B. W/O Scheuerman, C.B. Sgt Snider, S.J. [Scheuerman, Snider (4th CCU)] |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 283 -- April 26, 1945, Thursday AM
Plattling, Germany -- Landing Grounds
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
As April drew toward a close, we had seen the bomb lines of our Armies and the Russian Armies pushing closer and closer together. Around the 20th, a security silence veiled the advance of the Reds. The Germans carried reports of Red troops on the outskirts of Berlin and other by-passing it to the south. Finally, a short but exciting TWX was posted on the situation map that the Red Army had linked up with the forces of the American First Army at Torgau, northeast of Leipzig. Germany was cut in half!
That afternoon, the 26th, 44 aircraft filled a landing ground at Platting, in the lower part of what remained of Germany, with bombs and bomb craters. A total of 968x100-lb pounds bombs fell on the landing ground; 66x100-lb fragmentation bombs kept flak gun positions silent while the main attack went on. There was no flak.
The pictures available at briefing were very out-dated and inadequate. When the bombardiers tried to find their aiming points, they discovered that the field had since been reconstructed. Choosing secondary aiming points, in every case but one, they scored two superiors and four excellents. The other bombardier, Lt P.G. McGivern, flying with Lt D.O. Turner, was able to identify his aiming point and scored excellent. Many hits were scored on revetments and airstrips.
This mission, #283, the last mission in April, was led by Lt Brown (Lts Brewer and Kerns, B&N) and Lt Buskirk (Lt Hanna and F/O Semtanka, B&N).
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 258
Mission #283 - 26 April - Plattling Airfield, 40 miles southeast of Regensburg. This field hangared planes which were harrassing our ground troops. Fragmentation bombs peppered the landing runways and also the gun positions, silencing them while our formation flew over. Results of bombing showed two superiors and four excellents. Lts. Brown with Kerns and Brewer BNs led Box I with Lts. Buskirk and Hanna and F/O Smetanka BNs on Box II. Flight leaders were Lts. Heinke and Rosenquist BN and Lts. Warren and Forbes, BN.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Mission # 283 was the last mission flown by aircraft of this squadron for the month. The Plattling Airfield was the target for the attack. The flights led by Lts. Turner and Jordan again achieved superior results. With Lt. Turner, Lts. McGivern and Morley, led the Second Flight of the First Box, while Lt. Mulgrew flew with Lt. Jordan in the lead of the Third Flight of the First Box.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
7 flights, maximum effort for the group, took off on 26 April 1945
to attack Plattling Airfield. 12 of our crews, led by Lt. Heinke, Lt.
Rosenquist and Lt. Warren, Lt. Forbes, took part in this mission which
was No. 283. Excellent to superior bombing was achieved by all flights
from the group.
Bad weather (with ice in the air) prevented air activity on 27
April 1945. Aircraft ready time was 1325, but before any action could
be taken the mission was scrubbed and the group had a release for the
day.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
April 26th, 1945
The airfield at Plattling, 40 miles southeast of Regensburg, was rendered unserviceable by the 416thsÆ bombing attack on April 26 1945. The field was used for tactical opposition to Allied Forces by single and twin-engine fighters. Lt. Brown, Lt. Kerns and Lt. Brewer led the first box and Lt. Buskirk and Lt. Hanna the second. Both scored excellent results. Three other flights also obtained excellent results, while two flights hit the target with superior ratings. Flak was not encountered.
[April 26, 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 26, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |