811

29 January 1945

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

BAD KREUZNACH

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

BIELEFELD

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

HAMM

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

KASSEL

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

KASSEL/HENSCHEL

Description: OIL REFINERY

KOBLENZ

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

KOBLENZ/MOSEL

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

MUNSTER

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Notes: A mix of 173 P-47s and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.

NIEDERLAHNSTEIN

Description: RAIL CENTER

SIEGEN

Description: RAIL CENTER

SOEST

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Orman Merlin Coffin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Richard H Cole

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-392754
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Squadron Commander

Luis B Coppola

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39849255
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot on B-17

Jean P Elissalde

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 0781263
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Thomas F Flemming

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13152196 on enlisting
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A bomber crew of the 458th Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51110) nicknamed "Top O' the Mark.' The crew are: (back row, left to right) Carl Johnson - Nose Gunner, Chuck Frazer - Gunner, Charles Gretz - Top Turret Gunner, "Bubba" Monroe - Co-Pilot, (front row, left to right) Dick Eselgroth - Navigator, Al Miller - Bombardier, Billy Duke - Pilot "Luke" Lucas - Radio Operator, Baldamore Garcia - Engineer, "Pan" Panarese - Tail Gunner . Image via RM Eselgroth. Written on slide casing: '

42-51110

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Top O The Mark
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron 754th Bomb Squadron
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95183) nicknamed "Briney Marlin" of the 458th Bomb Group flies low over countryside.

42-95183

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Briney Marlin
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron

42-97093

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ill Get By
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron

42-97395

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Chute The Works
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron

42-97478

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shade Ruff #2
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorjancheta
Changes
Sources

Update

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'.