809

28 January 1945
media-21459.jpeg UPL 21459 Pilot's recollection

son of the pilot

Object Number - UPL 21459 - Pilot's recollection

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

BIELEFELD

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

COLOGNE/GREMBERG

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 457th BG MISSION NO. 179 : COLOGNE, GERMANY : 28 JANUARY, 1945 There had been reports of considerable movement of German troops from the Western Front to the Eastern Front (the German Ardennes Offensive had been crushed). The targets were the vast marshalling yards at Cologne, where massive troop movements could be coordinated. The 457th comprised the 94th A Combat Wing, with Major Doherty as Air Commander. Combat Wing assembly was accomplished. A wind change interrupted the time schedule and made a deviation in course necessary, placing the Group about seven miles left of course. Proper position in the Division formation along the Division assembly line was attained. The route from the end of the Division assembly line to the IP was flown approximately as briefed. Slight deviations in course were caused by the necessity of remaining in Division formation. Just before the IP, the Group swung wide to the right because the flux-gate compass was not functioning normally and some difficulty was experienced with the PFF equipment. However, corrections were made and the Group crossed the IF on course. Cloud coverage was ten tenths and bombing was done by means of G-H equipment in Group formation. The bombs were released from 25,000 feet. After the bombs were dropped, the plane piloted by Lt. William P. Boyes left the formation near Coblenz, with one engine feathered, but apparently under control. It later crashed near Coblenz. Two crewmen lost their lives, one evaded and six were captured and became prisoners of war.

COLOGNE/HOHENZOLLERN

Description: RAIL BRIDGE

DUIESBERG/RHEINHAUSEN

Description: RAIL BRIDGE

DUISEBERG

Description: HIGHWAY BRIDGE

DUISEBURG/HOENBUNDBERG

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

FRIEMERSHEIM

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

GNEISENAU

Description: OIL REFINERY

GUTERSLOH

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

KAISERSTUHL

Description: OIL REFINERY

LIPPSTADT

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

NEHEIM

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Connections

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People

Robert O Holliday

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Dale A Johns

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Togglier

Harold A Krumsiek

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Melvin J Loes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37679193
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Francis J Lukosavich

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33764121
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

42-38140

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: ETO Happy : Pregnant Goose : Dollys Daughter
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron

42-38208

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lilly Belle
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron 398th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95183) nicknamed "Briney Marlin" of the 458th Bomb Group flies low over countryside.

42-95183

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Briney Marlin
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed "I'll Get By" of the 390th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: 'B-17G "I'll Get By", 8th Air Force. Photo by R.J. Zorn.'

42-97093

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ill Get By
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (NV-A, serial number 42-97141) of the 92nd Bomb Group. Image via William E "Doc" Furniss, 92nd Bomb Group. Written on slide casing: 'NV-A, [illegible] 297141.'

42-97141

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Mary Jane II
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorjancheta
Changes
Sources

JA Update

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/

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'.

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