750
15 December 1944Associated missions
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
HANNOVER
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: A mix of 241 P-47s and P-51s provides escort. Mix not given in available data.
KASSEL
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 457th BG MISSION NO. 160 : KASSEL, GERMANY : 15 DECEMBER, 1944 Weather grounded the Eighth for three days. It was 15 December before a mission could become airborne. In a continuing effort to disrupt Germany's transportation system, the marshalling yards at Kassel were the target. Major Peresich led the thirty-six plane formation comprising the 94th B Combat Wing, flying second in the Division line. After assembling, the Group climbed approximately 2,500 feet above briefed altitude because of weather conditions. As a result of the additional climbing, the Group arrived at the first Control Point about three minutes late and ten miles right of course. Division assembly line was not flown as briefed, but the Group was in proper position behind the 35 1st Bomb Group. Because of poor visibility at the Dutch coast, the low squadron fell behind the formation and was unable to see the other two squadrons. Course to the target was flown approximately as briefed, except the Group was a little above briefed altitude in order to avoid weather conditions. The IP was reached on time, about five miles left of course. Bombing was done in Group formation by means of PFF equipment. Dense contrails hindered visibility and made it difficult to identify the lead squadron. The low squadron, having dropped a short distance behind the lead, released its bombs a minute later than the other two squadrons. Altitude over the target was 27,500 feet. Cloud tops were estimated at approximately 30,000 feet, and the results of the bombing were unobserved. Flak was light and no losses were sustained.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 860th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-697736
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37680099
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner / Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39709688
- Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-770817
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Gaposis, Becomin’ Back
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fast Company
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron 615th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Rough But Right
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Heavy Date
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Mrs Knobby
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Virginia Wise, eldest child of Lester Allen Wise who flew on this mission with Jack Q Means as co-pilot
Virginia Wise, eldest daughter of Lester Allen Wise pilot of B-17 (42-31778) 8th Air Force, 385th Bomb Group, flew from Great Ashfield to Hannover, on this, his second mission, 15 Dec 1944.
Virginia Wise, eldest daughter of Lester Allen Wise, who was a pilot on this mission to Hannover, Germany in Wells Cargo ( B-17 Flying Fortress, 42-31778) as part of the 8th Air Force, 385th Bomb Group.
Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/
Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.