723
25 November 1944
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: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron 755th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-664988
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 487th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron 837th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-816278
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-764004
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33568980
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- 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
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Shark Tooth
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hells Angels Out Of Chute 13, Grossly Inadequate
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Top O The Mark
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron 754th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Briney Marlin
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Paper Doll
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
Revisions
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.
Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/
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'.