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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 222 -- March 5, 1945, Monday AM Marburg, Germany Marshalling Yards
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 222 -- March 5, 1945, Monday AM Marburg, Germany Marshalling Yards
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Place of Take-Off : A-69 Laon/Athies, France A/C Dispatched : 41 Total -- 40 A-26's, 1 B-26 (PFF) Modified British System Reference: G-731474 Secondary Target : Eller Railroad Bridge or Dillenburg Marshalling Yards (L-575675 or G-395376) Summary of Results : Unobserved due to 10/10 Cloud coverage. 3 a/c dropped Window. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.82146,8.77517 (50° 49' 17" N, 8° 46' 31" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) wG731474) (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 # 222 -- March 5, 1945, Monday AM
Marburg, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
| 1 671st 43-22497 5C-E A-26C Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. Lt Basnett, R.J. Sgt Rose, J.W. |
2 668th 43-22523 5H-N A-26C Capt Evans, H.M. Lt McCartney, T.M. S/Sgt Merritt, O.N., Jr. |
3 671st 43-22313 5C-B A-26B Lt Withington, D.L., III S/Sgt Huss, C.F. |
| 4 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Murray, T.J., Jr. S/Sgt Fessler, H.S. |
5 671st 41-39300 5C-K A-26B Lt Jokinen, W.R. Sgt Creeden, E.J. |
6 670th 41-39416 F6-O A-26B Lt Hlivko, A.E. Sgt Farmer, L.J. |
| 1 669th 43-22521 2A-N A-26C Lt Col Napier, J.G. Lt Moore, D.L. S/Sgt Carstens, R.W. |
2 669th 43-22351 2A-F A-26B Lt Willard, J.A. Sgt Hinker, C.V. |
3 669th 41-39244 2A-I A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. Sgt Draft, L.B. |
| 4 669th 41-39362 2A-Y A-26B Lt Sorrels, D.W. S/Sgt Malara, V.A. |
5 669th 43-22381 2A-Q A-26B Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. Sgt Brinkman, E.R. |
6 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Lt Depner, A.W. Sgt Gillespie, R.H. |
| 1 669th 43-22492 2A-E A-26C Lt Cornell, R.H., Jr. Lt Enman, R.E. Sgt Reid, K.A. |
2 669th 41-39263 2A-G A-26B Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Dalton, A.A. |
3 669th 43-22344 2A-C A-26B Lt Turner, D.O., Jr. S/Sgt Reyes, M.R. |
| 4 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Lt Jordan, C.S. S/Sgt Jensen, K.F. |
5 670th 43-22320 F6-S A-26B F/O Swap, F.W. Sgt Santandrea, M. |
6 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Weinert, C.E. Sgt Dubi, R.J. |
| SPARE 671st 41-39332 5C-P A-26B Lt Miller, J.H. Sgt Maupin, W.W. |
| 1 668th 43-22481 5H-P A-26C Lt Hall, R.B. Lt Goss, T.L. S/Sgt Ottaviano, J.O. Sgt Richards, D.B. |
2 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Bower, R.S. Cpl Puskas, N.A. Sgt Rhoney, C.B. |
3 670th 41-39315 F6-F A-26B Lt Sewell, J.C. S/Sgt Teran, A. S/Sgt Hummer, J.A. |
| 1 671st 43-22499 5C-G A-26C Lt Buskirk, J.A. Lt Hanna, R.C. Lt Muir, R.C. S/Sgt Corbitt, C.H., Jr. |
2 671st 43-22498 5C-R A-26C Lt Brown, C.J. Lt Kerns, J.E. Sgt Sunderland, H.E. |
3 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Spires, J.W. Sgt Messinger, R.W. [Returned Early Landing Gear Would Not Retract] |
| 4 671st 43-22419 5C-Z A-26B Lt Ames, W.H. S/Sgt Brown, R.J. |
5 671st 41-39297 5C-T A-26B Lt Wright, J.R. Sgt Simon, D.O. |
6 671st 43-22356 5C-C A-26B Lt Milhorn, G.L. Sgt Chest, D. |
| 1 668th 43-22508 5H-Z A-26C Lt Mish, C.C. Lt Shaft, R.E. S/Sgt Roberts, J.H. |
2 668th 41-39274 5H-S A-26B Lt Prucha, L.J. S/Sgt Ferguson, L.C. |
3 668th 41-39305 5H-U A-26B Lt Russell, R.A. Sgt Kaminski, C.J. |
| 4 668th 41-39213 5H-A A-26B Lt McCready, T.D. S/Sgt Metzler, L.V. |
5 668th 43-22495 5H-G A-26C Lt Roberts, W.H. Sgt Windisch, R.P. |
6 668th 41-39361 5H-M A-26B Lt Laseter, W.H. Sgt Cross, R.M. |
| 1 670th 43-22507 F6-Q A-26C Lt Grunig, D.B. Lt Morris, B.C. S/Sgt Dias, M.E. |
2 670th 41-39205 F6-M A-26B Lt Bishop, E.G. Sgt Harris, M.C. |
3 670th 43-22330 F6-P A-26B Lt Chitty, W.D., Jr. Sgt Riggs, P.H. |
| 4 670th 41-39286 F6-D A-26B Lt Barausky, P.P. S/Sgt Hall, M. |
5 670th 43-22307 F6-N A-26B Lt Ford, R. Cpl Murro, D.J. |
6 670th 41-39215 F6-R A-26B Lt Turman, A.R. S/Sgt Leahigh, L.L. |
| SPARE 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Edstrom, L.W. Sgt Pompa, P.A. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 222 -- March 5, 1945, Monday AM
Marburg, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
The fifth was the first two-mission day in March. In the morning, marshalling yards at Marburg were attacked by 37 aircraft, dropping over 55 tons of 500-pound demolition bombs on PPF. There was no flak, and no observations of the results. Major Dunn, Lts Brewer and Basnett, B&N, led the first box; Lt Buskirk, Lts Hanna and Muir, B&N, led the second.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 221 - 222
Mission #222 - 5 March - AM - Marburg Marshalling Yard. Major Dunn with Lts. Brewer and Basnett, BNs with Lt. Buskirk and Lts. Hanna and Muir, BNs led the two boxes. Captain Evans and Lt. McCartney BN and Lts. Brown with Kerns, BN plus Lts. Mish and Shaft, BN led flights. Using PFF pathfinder technique, bomb loads of 55 tons, 500 pounders, were dropped. No flak or fighters were encountered.
"Operational History 668th Bomb Squadron (416th Bomb Group (L)) WWII"
Wayne Williams, et.al.
Two missions today kept everyone at a hot pace. In the morning was Gp Mission # 222, with Evans & McCartney, Mish & Shaft, and five other crews from our squadron. Forty-one aircraft took to the air, loaded with 500 lb. GP’s. All of this bombing was done to prevent enemy supplies reaching the German Troops for the defense of the Ruhr Valley.
The Marshalling Yards at Marburg, Germany was bombed thru the clouds, using PFF. The bombs were dropped with results "undetermined", and the formation returned safely after 3:30 of flight. Immediately, the planes were loaded and re-fueled for the next mission. As if by magic, the briefed crews were at the planes as the last one was done.
[The last mission entry in the 668th Bomb Sq. history was on March 14, 1945, thus there are no more entries from this Squadron History for subsequent Combat Mission pages.]
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The Marburg Marshalling Yard was attacked on March 5th. Again PPF technique had to be used. Observation of the results was impossible because of the 10/10ths cloud cover.
The second mission to take-off on this day was led by Capt. Stebbins, with Lts. Calloway and McQuade flying as Bombardier and Navigator respectively. The Bingen Marshalling Yards were bombed by the use of PPF equipment. Results were unobserved, but photo reconnaissance five days later disclosed that considerable damage had been done to the yards.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The Marburg Marshalling Yard was the target in the morning of the following day. The take off was accomplished in extremely poor weather which continued to the target where they found 10/10 cloud cover. Bombing was done behind the pathfinder ship and results were undetermined. In the afternoon the Bergen Marshalling yards were hit with 12 670th crews taking part with undetermined results because of 10/10 cloud cover. This also was a pathfinder mission.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
March 5th, 1945
The 416th went out twice on March 5th to hit at Marshalling Yards serving the Western Armies with its various needs. In the morning the Invaders struck through clouds by use of Pathfinders the Marburg Marshalling Yard, 16 miles north of Giessen. All 38 ships dropped 500 GPs on the target, although results were unobserved. The crews saw only a few puffs of flak.
In the afternoon the formation went to the Bingen Marshalling Yard, 35 miles southwest of Frankfurt. Again results were unobserved as the ships dropped through 10/10 clouds on the Pathfinder.
This time 40 Invaders dropped their 500 pounders on the highly prized M/Y.
Lt. Basnett Winds Up Tour in the E.T.O.
1st Lt. Robert J. (The Kid) Basnett became the first Bombardier/Navigator of the 671st Bomb Squadron to finish his tour when he chalked up Number 66 on the morning mission of March 5th 1945. Lt. Basnett had 64 ¾ missions to his credit previous to this mission, but needed to fly another one to reach the 65 mark.
Lt.Basnett annexed an admirable record with the Squadron. Coming across the pond with the Group, he got a slow start in England when the higher ups figured he was too young and needed a little more training. He was finally teamed up with Lt. Marzolf and the pair really chalked up missions. They scored their share of goods and excellents.
Then out of a clear blue sky Lt.Basnett was assigned to Captain Cole. Lt. Beck, who had been flying with Cole up to this time, switched over to Lt. Marzolf. Lt. Basnett had 30 missions at this time. No one (except the wheels) knew what it was all about, and the personnel involved were not too happy over the deal. However, the change worked to the advantage of both Lt. Beck and Lt. Basnett, together with their pilots became two of the hottest combinations in the Group.
Captain Cole had a head start on the Kid, and he finished up his tour on December 5th, leaving Lt.Basnett with 50 missions. Basnett was ready to go home then, but it just couldn't be that way. Captain Greenley and his bombardier, Lt.Mitchell hadn't been doing too well...so out went Lt. Mitchell and in came Lt. Basnett to the rescue. However, Greenley was ahead of Lt.Basnett when he joined him, and when Greenley had 65, Lt. Basnett had 59. Six to go.
At this time it was decided to use two bombardier/navigators in the lead ship, and so Lt. Basnett flew the remainder of his missions as navigator in the lead ship, when this Squadron had the lead.
The Kid is now waiting for his orders sending him back to the U.S.A.
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[March 5, 1945], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, March 5, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |