875

9 March 1945
B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group drop bombs over their target. Image stamped on reverse: 'US Official Photograph.' [stamp], 'Sacred.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: 446 BG led by "Ronnie" unloading demolition + incendiaries on Rheine Marshalling Yards, 9 March 1945.' media-380571.jpg FRE 1750 B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group drop bombs over their target. Image stamped on reverse: 'US Official Photograph.' [stamp], 'Sacred.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: 446 BG led by "Ronnie" unloading demolition + incendiaries on Rheine Marshalling Yards, 9 March 1945.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1750 - B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group drop bombs over their target. Image stamped on reverse: 'US Official Photograph.' [stamp], 'Sacred.' [stamp]...

Description

Narrative - Official Air Force Mission Description



Mission 875: 1,045 bombers and 443 fighters are dispatched to hit marshaling yards and industrial plants in Germany; they claim 0-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers are lost:

1. 423 B-17s are sent to hit the Ost (150) and Main (222) marshaling yards and a casting plant (38) at Frankfurt visually and using Micro H, H2X radar and smoke markers; 6 B-17s also fly a screening mission; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 182 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 28 MIA. Escorting are 94 of 101 P-51s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft in the air.



2. 318 of 336 B-17s attack the marshaling yard and a large tank factory at Kassel visually; 6 other B-17s fly a screening mission; 3 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 188 damaged; 4 airmen are WIA and 28 MIA. The escort is 97 of 99 P-51s; 1 is damaged beyond repair.



3. 282 B-24s are sent to bomb marshaling yards at Munster (97), Rheine (93) and Osnabruck (87) using Gee-H and H2X; 1 B-24 is lost and 52 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 12 MIA. 47 of 51 P-51s escort.



4. 4 B-17s fly a scouting mission.



5. 141 P-47s and P-51s fly a freelance sweep in support of the bombers; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair.



6. 27 P-51s fly a scouting mission.



7. 15 P-51s escort 12 F-5s and 3 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft in the air.



Source: THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by Carter / Mueller, the Office of Air Force History,

Mission Details

FRANKFURT

Description: SCREENING MISSION

FRANKFURT

Description: STEEL WORKS CASTING PLANT

FRANKFURT/MAIN

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

FRANKFURT/OST

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

KASSEL

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 457th BG MISSION NO. 205 : KASSEL, GERMANY : 9 MARCH, 1945 The marshalling yards at Kassel and in its vicinity were the primary targets for the entire 1st Division. Traffic had continued to pour through these marshalling yards on the way to the Western Front. The Kassel marshalling yards complex comprised an estimated area of two miles square. The Group led the First Division and its target was the center of the yards. The Group comprised the 94th A Combat Wing with Colonel Rogner as Air Commander. In addition, the Group put up a screening force of five planes. Group formation and Wing assembly were accomplished without difficulty. The Group was in proper position as the lead of the Division column. Division assembly line was flown slightly left of course. Route over the Continent was uneventful and was flown as briefed. The Air Commander was notified by the weather scouting force that the target area was open. Interval was taken by the Group with squadrons in trail. The IP was crossed on course by all three squadrons. The lead squadron was 400 feet below briefed altitude so in the event the squadron had to bomb by G-H equipment, an absolute altitude of 24,000 feet would be attained. Bomb results were observed to be very good. Flak was moderate and accurate with eleven bombers receiving battle damage.

KASSEL

Description: SCREENING MISSION

MUNSTER

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

OSNABRUCK

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

RHEINE

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: Serial Number: T5393 / Service Number: 16135585
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12177287
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Togglier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 849th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2063355
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

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: '
  • 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.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Briney Marlin
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ill Get By
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Boss Lady
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorjhuck
Changes
Sources

John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner

Source: History of the 447th Bomb Group by Doyle Shields; pp. 288-289

Date
Contributorjhuck
Changes
Sources

John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner

Source: History of the 447th Bomb Group by Doyle Shields; pp. 288-289

Date
Contributorjhuck
Changes
Sources

John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner

Source: History of the 447th Bomb Group by Doyle Shields; pp. 288-289

Date
Contributorjhuck
Changes
Sources

Personal files of John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner.

Date
Contributorjhuck
Changes
Sources

Entered by John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner

Source: The Eighth Air Force Historical Society - http://www.8thafhs.org/new/incl_missions.php

Date
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Associated Media based on images associated with mission in Freeman, 'The Mighty Eighth War Diary'.

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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