809
28 January 1945
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
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35709304
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-77554
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-823677
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lady Vivian
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Satan's Chillen
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Joyride : Big Chief Illiniwek
- Unit: 412th Bomb Squadron 95th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Starduster
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
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'.