720
21 November 1944
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
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-700918
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Bomb Division 45th Combat Bomb Wing 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-004614
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34021953
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Togglier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37726752
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Morning Star, Tail End Charlie
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron 615th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fire Ball Red
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Big Casino
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Mary Alice
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Silver Slipper
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th 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'.