723

25 November 1944
media-21672.jpeg UPL 21672 42-31154 O "Shack Happy" 708th BS Undated photo.
Probably one of the few OD aircraft stripped of paint, as traces are still seen around windows. Lost to flak over Merseburg on November 25, 1944. 447th Bomb Group collection

Timothy Motz

Object Number - UPL 21672 - 42-31154 O "Shack Happy" 708th BS Undated photo. Probably one of the few OD aircraft stripped of paint, as traces are still seen around windows. ...

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

BINGEN

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

MERSEBURG/LEUNA

Description: OIL REFINERY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 457th BG MISSION NO. 151 : MERSEBERG, GERMANY : 25 NOVEMBER, 1944 The 457th attacked the Leuna synthetic oil plant at Merseburg. Major Leon Stann was Air Commander. The Group comprised the 94th C Combat Wing. Assembly, and joining Division formation, were without incident. The route to the target was flown as briefed, but the Group continued to gain time because winds were not as briefed. At the IP, the decision was made to bomb by PFF. The bombing was done in group formation with all three squadrons releasing on the smoke marker of the lead aircraft. The target was attacked from 25,300 feet. Although heavy clouds prevented complete assessment, results were fair. Bombs observed by crews over target fell away from the target. Only damage was from a few strikes in the edge of Merseburg and a small village. The craft flown by Lt. Jack B. Wescott, left the formation after the target, due to lack of oxygen. Damage caused by flak over Dunkirk caused him to crash land his ship near Marek, France. The crew subsequently returned to the base.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-523642
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • 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: O-825585
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19182423, O-770966
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 2065046
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

Nine men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane.  Five men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Dark Angel
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Factory fresh B-17s
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Cover Girl
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Old Ironsides
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Shape
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Mary Alice" of the 401st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '401. Unknown. C2. '
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Mary Alice
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributormarshaferraro
Changes
Sources

Personal list of 30 missions Lloyd C. Kenagy participated in with the 401st Bomb Group 613th Squadron between Aug 1, 1944 and April 11, 1945.

Date
Changes
Sources

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

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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