720

21 November 1944
media-34071.jpeg UPL 34071 B - 17 (43-38725)

John M. Flynn – Engineer Anthony R. Demarco – Radio Operator Charles R. Agnatovich – Ball Turret Gunner
Douglas Aldrich - Waist Gunner John W. Lafferty Jr. – Waist Gunner Ralph B. Corning - Tail Gunner

Charles O. Norris – Co-Pilot Raymond H. Buthe – Pilot Marvin L. Brawer – Navigator
Curtis G. Chapman – Bombardier

Denise "Flynn" Frohm - Daughter of John Flynn

Object Number - UPL 34071 - B - 17 (43-38725) ...

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Description: SCREENING MISSION

APOLDA

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

BIELEFELD

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

FRIEDBURG

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 457th BG MISSION NO. 149: FRIEDBERG, GERMANY : 21 NOVEMBER, 1944 Although Merseburg was the briefed target, unfavorable weather conditions caused the Group to abandon the original plan and attack a target of opportunity. Major Syptak, Air Commander of the 94th A Combat Wing, led the Group with Captain Seesenguth as pilot, flying seventh in the Division formation, as briefed. Division assembly was loose, but the Group assumed its approximate position. At the Dutch Coast, a significant amount of flak made it necessary for the preceding groups to "S" on course. The 94th A Combat Wing continued on its briefed course and advanced in front of its briefed position, becoming fourth instead of seventh. The course over enemy territory was flown approximately as briefed. Approximately ten minutes before the IP, the Group encountered cloud conditions extending up to 30,000 feet. The Group leader decided to get below the clouds. At approximately 21,000 feet, another group of B-17s coming from about 45 degrees "shuffled the deck". The leader believed that all aircraft were now separated. The PFF equipment was not functioning satisfactorily and the operator reported it would be difficult to make the briefed mn. It was then decided to reassemble. The low squadron was not too far distant and assembled successfully. The high squadron, being separated, continued on its course toward the target. Although the primary target area was visible, weather conditions were extremely bad. Bombs were released. Results were not observed. In the meantime, the other two squadrons began a search for a target of opportunity and deviated considerably from the briefed course. Bombs were released on Fnedberg, making an indistinguishable pattern 2,000 feet east of the marshalling yard located there. Although flak had been encountered at the target, it was meager and inaccurate and no aircraft were lost. Flak was encountered at Cromer on the return to England; however, it caused no damage

GIESSEN

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

HAMBURG

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

HAMBURG/DPAG

Description: OIL REFINERY

Notes: A mix of 177 P-47 and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.

HAMBURG/RHENANIA

Description: OIL REFINERY

HERSFELD

Description: AUTOBAHN

HERSFELD

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

KOBLENZ

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

LEEUWARDEN

Description: AIRFIELD

LENDORF

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

LINGEN

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

MEPPIN

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

MERSEBURG

Description: FLAK GUN BATTERIES

MERSEBURG/LEUNA

Description: OIL REFINERY

QUAKENBRUCK

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

STERKRADE

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Notes: Cloud cover prevents bombing of these targets

WETZLAR

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-20558065
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12200808
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33437601
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15098973
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hard Seventeen, Hard Luck
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 447th Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: D-Day Dottie
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pretty Baby
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Doodle Bug
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorRichard412
Changes
Sources

Denise "Flynn" Frohm - John's daughter

Date
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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