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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 268 -- April 11, 1945, Wednesday AM Bernburg, Germany Marshalling Yards
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 268 -- April 11, 1945, Wednesday AM Bernburg, Germany Marshalling Yards
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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: RD-770628 Secondary Target : Eisleben (640330) Summary of Results : Five flights scores Undetermined, one NAO, two Superior. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 51.79708,11.75429 (51° 47' 49" N, 11° 45' 15" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) rD770628) (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 # 268 -- April 11, 1945, Wednesday AM
Bernburg, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
| 1 668th 43-22508 5H-Z A-26C Maj McNulty, G.M. Lt Powell, V.H. Lt Myrold, H.E. S/Sgt Ferguson, L.C. |
2 668th 41-39188 5H-R A-26B Lt McCready, T.D. S/Sgt Lemonds, W.E. |
3 668th 41-39335 5H-W A-26B Lt Wright, J.W. S/Sgt Profita, P.J. |
| 4 668th 43-22385 5H-D A-26B Lt Montrose, J.H. S/Sgt Felkel, J.W. |
5 668th 41-39233 5H-F A-26B Lt Parkhurst, G.J. S/Sgt Stewart, A.B. |
6 668th 41-39352 5H-J A-26B Lt Zeimet, L.R. Sgt Sereno, F.L. |
| 1 670th 41-39398 F6-Q A-26B Lt Warren, J.R. Lt Forbes, T.M. S/Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr. |
2 670th 41-39232 F6-N A-26B Lt O'Brien, J.V. S/Sgt Hall, M. |
3 670th 41-39205 F6-M A-26B Lt Sheley, S.H. Cpl Wilson, B.R. |
| 4 670th 41-39416 F6-O A-26B Lt Singletary, R.B. S/Sgt Wiggins, H.G. S/Sgt Ottaviano, J.O. |
5 670th 43-22330 F6-P A-26B Lt Stankowski, J.F. S/Sgt Perujo, R.J. |
6 670th 41-39315 F6-F A-26B Lt Curtis, J.C. Sgt Mathews, J.M. |
| 1 670th 43-22501 F6-W A-26C Lt Grunig, D.B. Lt Morris, B.C. S/Sgt Friday, L.R. |
2 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Bower, R.S. S/Sgt Burns, D.E. |
3 670th 41-39564 F6-V A-26B Lt Chitty, W.D., Jr. Sgt Riggs, P.H. |
| 4 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Turner, E.O. Cpl Finnell, D.O. |
5 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B F/O Boerner, S.B., Jr. Cpl Eddy, K.A. |
6 668th 43-22389 5H-X A-26B Lt Wallace, J.F. Sgt Krantz, J.G. |
| 1 668th 43-22484 5H-C A-26C Capt Evans, H.M. Lt McCartney, T.M. S/Sgt Skeens, C.L. Col Stromme, J.L. [Stromme (ETOUSA Reclassification Specialist)] |
2 668th 41-39259 5H-H A-26B Lt Colquitt, J.K. S/Sgt Mohr, C.M. |
3 668th 41-39325 5H-L A-26B Lt Hale, W.L. S/Sgt Geyer, J.F. |
| 4 668th 41-39305 5H-U A-26B Lt Harris, F.W. S/Sgt Fuehrer, W.F. |
5 668th 41-39310 5H-A A-26B Lt Long, R.H. S/Sgt McCarthy, C.J. |
6 668th 41-39264 5H-I A-26B Lt Drum, E.B. Sgt Schwartzkopf, J.R. |
| 1 671st 43-22497 5C-E A-26C Capt Tutt, R.J. Lt Orr, L.A. S/Sgt Schwartzapel, D. |
2 671st 43-22352 5C-J A-26B Lt Mooney, S. Sgt Schumacher, R.C. |
3 671st 41-39360 5C-L A-26B Lt Withington, D.L., III S/Sgt Eaton, A.B. |
| 4 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Capt Sears, A.C. S/Sgt Rose, J.W. |
5 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Price, D.L. Sgt Reicher, J.F. |
6 671st 43-22356 5C-C A-26B Lt Wallman, M. Sgt Buckley, W.C. Sgt Mowell, R.F. |
| 1 671st 43-22490 5C-X A-26C Lt Lackovich, J.J. Lt Muir, R.C. F/O Przywitowski, S.J. S/Sgt Connery, T.F. |
2 671st 41-39328 5C-D A-26B Lt Cocke, J.B. S/Sgt Redding, R.D. |
3 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Winn, A.J.P. S/Sgt Davis, W.G., Jr. S/Sgt Miller, H.K. |
| 4 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Remiszewski, A. Cpl Schoen, A.E., Jr. |
5 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Wright, J.R. Sgt Ruskiewich, J.J. |
6 671st 43-22313 5C-B A-26B Lt Hlivko, A.E. Sgt Graub, R.E. |
| 1 669th 43-22609 2A-N A-26C Maj Sommers, H.L. Lt Kupits, J. S/Sgt Heath, K. |
2 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Harper, R.B. Sgt Black, R.M. |
3 669th 43-22351 2A-F A-26B Lt Willard, J.A. Lt Britt, J.W. S/Sgt Hinker, C.V. |
| 4 670th 41-39212 F6-K A-26B Lt DuBose, M.W. S/Sgt Griffin, D.L., Jr. |
5 669th 41-39244 2A-I A-26B Lt Haskell, R.W. Sgt Martin, G.A. [Mag problem] |
6 669th 43-22354 2A-S A-26B Lt Weinert, C.E. Sgt Francis, R.D. |
| 1 669th 43-22304 2A-T A-26C Lt Turner, D.O., Jr. Lt McGivern, P.J. Lt Morley, B.J. S/Sgt Reyes, M.R. |
2 669th 41-39362 2A-Y A-26B Lt Hackley, R.H. Sgt Hawk, O.T. |
3 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Housley, C.H. Sgt Block, P.J. |
| 4 669th 43-22383 2A-V A-26B Lt Allen, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Getgen, L.R. |
5 669th 41-39393 2A-M A-26B Capt Shapard, J.M. S/Sgt McGuire, J.J. |
6 669th 43-22381 2A-Q A-26B Lt Depner, A.W. S/Sgt Gillespie, R.H. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 268 -- April 11, 1945, Wednesday AM
Bernburg, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
A full-scale effort in the morning of the 11th put 47 planes into the air to attack the Bernburg marshalling yard. A total of 282 x500 pound demolition bombs were dropped on the target with results ranging from good to excellent. Bombs blanketed the southern choke point of the yards, many goods wagons, and buildings adjacent to the yards. Other bombs covered railroad sidings and storage sheds. Many large fires were started, possibly burning oil or ammunition. No complete photo interpretation was possible because 1/2 of the yards were still obscured by smoke. The three boxes were led by Major McNulty, Capt Evans, and Lt Lackovich.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 251
Mission #268 - 11 April - AM - Bernburg Marshalling Yard. This was a maximum effort mission with 44 planes taking off. Bombs blanketed the southern choke point of the yards, catching wagons, and buildings, plus blowing up railroad tracks and storage sheds. The results were explained to have been devastating. Major McNulty with Lts. Powell and Myrrold BNs, Captain Evans with Lt. McCartney BN and Lt. Lackovich with Lt. Muir, led boxes. Other flight leaders were Captain Tutt and Lt. Orr BN, plus Lts. Warren, Forbes, Gruning, and Morris as flight leaders.
"668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Our pilot-bombardier teams continued to hit the assigned targets, inflicting damage upon the enemy's remaining communications centers and storage dumps, which materially hastened the final victory. On 11 April, Major McNulty and Lt Powell scored a "superior" in an attack on Bernburg Marshalling Yard. The following day, Lt Paul E. Parker and Lt Robert E. Shaft led a flight against a rail bridge at Hof, also with "superior" results. On 20 April the bombing of the flight led by Lt William Laseter and Lt Mark P. Schlefer on Deggendorf Oil Storage Depot rated a "superior". On 21 April the team of Captain Evans and Lt McCartney continued its excellent combat record with a "superior" for the bombing of Attnung-Pucheim Marshalling Yard.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Excellent results were obtained in an attack on the Bernburg Marshalling Yards on the eleventh day of the month. The Third Flight of the Second Box was led by Lts. Turner and McGivern. Major Sommers and Lt. Kupits led the Second Flight of the Second Box. Perfect weather permitted visual bombing equipment to be used.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Flying two missions a day was continued on 11 April 1945, with maximum effort in the morning, in which 12 670th crews took part, against Bernburg Marshalling Yard, with excellent to superior results. Evasive action prevented photos of results on this mission. Lt. Warren, Lt. Forbes, and Lt. Grunig/Lt. Morris led our flights. Lt. Popeney and Lt. Fry led our flight on mission No. 269 in the afternoon against Zwickall Marshalling Yard with excellent to superior results for the group.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
April 11, 1945
Two marshalling yards were hit by the A-69ers on April 11th 1945 with excellent and superior results. In the morning the Group dropped 500 pound GPs on the Bernburg marshalling yard with devastating results. In the afternoon the Zwickau yards were blasted on the 416ths second maximum effort job of the day. Captain Pair and "Shorty" Corum really did a job on the Zwickau M/Y. The center of bursts for their flight was just 100 feet for the DMPI, hits being made on goods wagons, tracks and buildings.
Both marshalling yards are located close by to Leipzig in the path of the Third Army. These yards would be used by the Nazis in building defenses in the area west of Leipzig. At the Bernburg yard crews reported direct hits among tracks and installations in the yards. Red flashes of flame punctuated the bombing attack. The yard at Zwickau was reported to be full of railway cars before the bombing. Just a few bursts of flak were seen, and all crews returned safely from both missions.
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[April 11, 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 11, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |