376
28 May 1944
OIl Refinery
28 May 1944
466th BG
466th BG Archives
Object Number - UPL 7361 - Strike Photo - Zeitz, Germany OIl Refinery 28 May 1944 466th BG
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 13.2 T
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 24.6 T
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 57.2 T
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 35 T
Description: AIRFIELD
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 47.5 T
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 9 T
COLOGNE/EIFELTOR (Primary)
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: Glide bombs are used on this target but they prove unsuccessful. 1st Bomb Division was made up of 303rd Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 384th Bomb Group.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 109 T
DESSAU (Opportunistic)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 43.5 T
DESSAU (Primary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 457th BG - MISSION NO. 53 - DESSAU, GERMANY 28 MAY, 1944 The Group attacked the aero-engine factories located at Dessau, Germany. The target was the center of the Junkers Aircraft Organization. This organization was primarily engaged in the development and in the experimental work on new as well as existing aircraft. The target had one of the highest priorities of all the remaining targets in Germany. For the second straight day, the 457th felt the wrath of the Luftwaffe. The bomber stream consisted of fifteen combat wings. The 94th Combat Wing was the last wing in the 1st Division formation. The 457th formation, led by Major George C. Hozief as Air Commander with Lt. Charles D. Brannan as pilot, formed the lead box in the 94th Combat Wing. The flight was uneventful until the bomber stream separated at a point northeast of Brunswick. Then, the fifteen wings took up separate courses for the attacks on their separate targets. The Group was attacked at the IP by large forces of Me 109s and FW-190s. The ship piloted by Lt. Clyde B. Knipfer, flying his 24th mission, was hit and dropped out of formation with No. 1 and No. 2 engines blazing. Lt. Knipfer and crew parachuted to the ground where all were picked up by the Germans and held as prisoners of war. A second mass frontal attack was made on the Group. Waves of Ju-88s and Me-109s attacked from the side followed immediately by Me-109s and FW-190s. Lt. Rudolph Stohi's craft took a direct hit and left the formation. The craft crashed after the crew bailed out. One crewman died. Lt. Bernard V. Conners' craft came back on one engine, two engines having been lost in the target area. Three cylinders on a third engine had been punctured by enemy flak. Conners had flown back at an air speed of 115 to 135 miles per hour, with just enough power to keep airborne. Prior to reaching the target, the craft of the Air Commander, Major George C. Hozier, was attacked. One engine was damaged and set ablaze, and the wing fuel tank was punctured seriously, endangering the safety of the craft. In spite of the damaged condition of the craft, Major Hozier maintained the lead and when he found it impossible to visually bomb the Primary target, after making two 360 degree turns, led the Wing to the secondary target, an aircraft factory at Leipzig and bombed With excellent results. For his gallant leadership, sound judgment and devotion to duty, Major Hozier was awarded the Silver Star. In addition to the enemy fighter opposition, the antiaircraft fire was moderate but accurate. A number of planes suffered damage. Gunners received credit for destroying one enemy aircraft and damaging five.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 30 T
DESSAU (Secondary)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 31.8 T
FRANKFURT (Opportunistic)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 8.3 T
FRANKFURT (Opportunistic)
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 30 T
GERA (Opportunistic)
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 11.4 T
Description: OIL REFINERIES
Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of (not broken out in source data. See above for 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups participating).
![Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408505.jpg.webp?itok=zJwHCUjh)
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 240.5 T
LEIPZIG (Secondary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 69.5 T
LIMBURG (Opportunistic)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 25 T
Description: OIL REFINERIES
Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 34th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 2nd Bomb Division486th Bomb Group B-24 also attacked Lutzkendorf, others not in source data.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 155.4 T
MAGDEBURG/ROTHENSEE (Primary)
Description: OIL REFINERIES
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 114.3 T
MEISSEN (Opportunistic)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 32.4 T
MEMMINGEN (Opportunistic)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 21.3 T
Description: OIL REFINERIES
Notes: 2nd Bomb Division was made up of 44 Bomb Group, 93rd Bomb Group, 389th Bomb Group, 392nd Bomb Group, 445th Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Group, 448th Bomb Group, 453rd Bomb Group, 458th Bomb Group, 466th Bomb Group, 467th Bomb Group, 492nd Bomb Group.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 145.7 T
Description: OIL REFINERIES
Notes: Largest bomber armada despatched to date, 1,341 bombers, target 21 specific targets and 38 hit targets of opportunity. Luftwaffe opposition is heavy as most of the targets are deep into Germany. A total of 32 bombers are lost. Oil targets will become more prevalent in the coming months following the D-day invasion. Bomb loads include HE and Incendiary Bombs (IB) on oil targets. 1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 303rd Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group, 306th Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 384th Bomb Group, 398NG, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 69.5 T
SAALFELD (Opportunistic)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 24 T
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 53.3 T
WETZLAR (Opportunistic)
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 21.9 T
Description: AIRFIELD
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 42.5 T HE
ZEITZ-TROGLITZ (Primary)
Description: OIL REFINERIES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The 466th BG sortied 25 B-24's and dropped 45.35 tons of bombs on target. Dorsey Baker, Pilot of Crew #404 stated "Had a good run on the target and had good results with 52 incendiaries. Best fighter cover yet! Saw more P-51's, P-47's and P-38's then we have ever seen. There were a few rockets around the target. I saw no enemy fighters though they were around. Saw P-51's strafing and playing around on the ground all the way out from target. What fun those guys must have. I'll swap with them."
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 447.3 T
ZWICKAU (Secondary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 25 T
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 570th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33574325
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-755259
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35733061
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Big Dick Hard To Hit
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 325th Bomb Squadron 92nd Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: El Lobo
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Spam-O-Liner
- Unit: 545th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Silver Slipper
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th 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'.
![B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (JD-Q) of the 384th Bomb Group fly in formation with two B-24 Liberators during a mission. Official caption on image: "9. 51911 A.[C.]" Printed caption on reverse: '51911 AC - Release line for 2,000 lb. H.E. glide bombs is approximately 20 miles from target. U.S. Air Force Photo.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413583.jpg.webp?itok=4XZO3XUA)
