8th Air Force 255

11 March 1944

Description

This mission is compsed of two separate elements. The first element is despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Munster, Germany as the primary target. The attack is made by B-17s from 1st Air Division. 3rd Air Division also sends B-17s to attack Targets of Opportunity (TOs) in the area. Mission Summary follows:



1st Air Division: 62 B-17s from: 352BG; 401BG; and 457BG are despatched. 62 aircraft are effective on Munster, Germany. 1 B-17 bombs on industrial areas of Bentheim, Germany as a Target of Opportunity. There are no losses, casualties or claims.



3rd Air Division: 62 B-17s from: 95BG; 385BG; and 447BG are despatched. 62 aircraft are effective on Targets of Opportunity (TOs) in the Munster area. 2 B-17s bomb the rail yards at Burgsteinfurt thinking it was Munster. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 9KIA 1POW. Shot down by AA fire, crashed near Haamsteded, Holland. Most landed on a sand bank at low tide, but their pleas for help from German workers and soldiers as the tide came in were ignored, 9 drowned. Searches after the war to find those responsible were not successful. There are no losses, casualties or claims.



The second element is a combined force of 51 B-24s from 44BG and 93BG despatched to bomb V-Weapon sites at Wizernes, France. 34 are effective on the target. Weather frustrates target acquisition. 1 aircraft is damaged. There are no other losses casualties or claims.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Groups are part of 3rd Bomb Division. Bomber gunners make no claims.

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 159.08
  • People killed in action: 9
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 62
  • Aircraft effective: 61
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Description: ACCIDENTENTAL BOMBING

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This target hit accidently. It has not been determined which Group form two Bomb Group attacked this target. Bomber gunners make no claims.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 5.22
  • Aircraft effective: 2

Münster, Germany

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: One 1st Bomb Division B-17 dropped on Bentheim as a Target of Opportunity. All targets bombed with blind-bombing. Groups are part of 1st Bomb Division. Bomber gunners make no claims. 457th BG MISSION NO. 11 - MUNSTER, GERMANY 11 MARCH, 1944 Twenty aircraft bombed military targets and the marshalling yards at Munster. The 457th comprised the high box of the 94th Combat Wing. Captain Leroy Watson was Air Commander. Bombing was done by PFF due to the heavy undercast, and results were not observed. No enemy fighter opposition was encountered, due to the fighter escort provided. However, intense but inaccurate flak was encountered over the target area. Relatively light damage was inflicted and all aircraft returned safely to the Base. All silver ships were used for the first time. As a diversion from seeing B-I 7s, the first B-29 ever to land at Glatton arrived on 11 March. Personnel of the Group were permitted to inspect it before its departure. Reportedly the craft, then designated as a YB-29, had been attached to the Eighth in an attempt to deceive German intelligence into believing the 8-29 was to become the replacement craft in the E.T.O.

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 78.00
  • Aircraft sent: 62
  • Aircraft effective: 61

WIZERNES (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Groups are part of 2nd Bomb Division. Bomber gunners make no claims.

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 127.20
  • Aircraft sent: 51
  • Aircraft effective: 34
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-685919
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32583791
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
media-55442.pdf (709.09 KB) Document 55442 SSgt William ("Bill") G. Barlow, US Army (retired)

Personal picture of SSgt Bill Barlow, 446th Bomb Group

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Crew 302-514: Aerial Armorer Gunner; Tail Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-752975 T42 43 A
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator, bombardier, nose gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Heaven Can Wait, Boche Buster
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Penny's Thunderhead
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Salvo Sadie
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Shape
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lassie Come Home
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 23-Feb-2016. Added 2nd AD details to Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop and John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 23-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
Changes
Sources

Mission detail added courtesy of Diane Reese - http://www.457thbombgroup.org/Narratives/ma11.html

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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'.