8th Air Force 760
24 December 1944
Associated to the Person entry for Edmund Auer based on information added to the caption of this photograph by Paul Webber.
Object Number - FRE 2042 - Captain Edmund F. Auer of the 487th Bomb Group in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Misch' This is Captain Edmund F....
Description
1. Decision.
Weather forecast at the afternoon conference indicated that high pressure
center would be situated over the southwest Germany, causing a condition of no cloud
in the bases and in the target areas. The only weather affecting these would be
local fog patches in the valleys and it was expected that these would burn off as
the day progressed. It was upon this forecast that the decision was made to dispatch
a maximum effort of heavy bombers, which was to be the largest mission yet airborne.
Targets were selected in the area of Frankfurt and the battle line.
2. Force.
1st bomb division was to dispatch fourteen groups of 36 A/C each on airfields
at Ettinghausen, Kirch Gons, Nidda, Merzhausen and Giessen.
2nd bomb division was to dispatch all available operational aircraft on fourteen
tactical targets in the front line area.
3rd bomb division was to dispatch all available operational aircraft on airfields
at Gross Ostheim, Darmstadt/Griesheim, Biblis, Babenhausen, Frankfurt/Rhein Main and
Zellhausen. This would consist of approximately twenty three groups of 36 A/C each. Forces
available by the respective divisions were uncertain up to just prior to take-off due to the fact that
previous operations had caused a number of A/C to be diverted to fields other than own.
3. Plan.
All divisions were to depart UK and penetrate southeast to the target areas.
Axis of the attack was chosen as being generally up or down wind for all divisions, with
1st division attacking up wind and breaking off their target to withdraw along the
reciprocal of penetration route. 2nd division was attacking up wind along the Gee-H approach,
their withdrawal being the reciprocal of the penetration route. 3rd division was attacking down-
wind from the northeast in order to minimize the effect of anti-aircraft defenses in the target areas.
Withdrawal was to be south of Saarbrucken and northeast to UK. Timing was controlled further to eliminate the
possibility of conflicting courses within the target areas. Zero hour was chosen at 1100 hours in order
to allow ample time for take-off assembly of such a large force and to allow time for the fog to
dissipate in the target areas.
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Description: ESCORT MISSION
Notes: The P-51s escort 9 spitfires and 8 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance mission.
Description: SCOUTING MISSION
AHRWEILLER
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
BABENHAUSEN
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
BABENHAUSEN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Biblis, Germany
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
![Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378743.jpg.webp?itok=HBB0lqjl)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
BITBURG
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
COCHEM
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
DARMSTADT
Description: AIRFIELD
Notes: A high pressure front across Western Europe brings clear weather and the 8th AF launches the greatest maximum effort of WWII. 2,034 bombers and 852 fighters are despatched. The mission was led by the 486th BG. 94th Bomb Group CO, BRIG GEN Fred Castle was KILLED IN ACTION (KIA) with 3 others on the "Treble Four" 44-8444, when he crash-landed the aircraft at Hods, Belgium after the aircraft was hit in the #4 engine by collision with an enemy aircraft. Present day Castle AFB is named in his honor.
DARMSTADT
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
DAUN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
ELLER
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
ETTINGHAUSEN
Description: AIRFIELD
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
EUSKIRCHEN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Notes: A mix of 87 of 92 P-47s and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
FRANKFURT-RHEINE
Description: AIRFIELD
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
GEROLSTEIN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
GIESSEN
Description: AIRFIELD
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
GROSS OSTHEIM
Description: AIRFIELD
Notes: 486th BG was also scheduled to bomb this target, instead they went to seacondary target at Pforzheim M/Y
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
HEILBRONN
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Target of last resort bombed by 6 B-17's and 1 PFF Ship
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
KAISERSLAUTERN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
KAISERSLAUTERN
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Description: AIRFIELD
KOBLENZ
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 457th BG MISSION NO. 162 : KOBLENZ, GERMANY : 24 DECEMBER, 1944 The Eighth Air Force was unable to cope with the weather. 20 December to 23 December was a repeat of 16 to 18 December. A relentless and stubborn fog had moved in and had accomplished what the German Luftwaffe had been unable to do, keep the bombers on the ground. The ground troops were desperate for air support. That was to finally come on Christmas Eve, when the Air Force meteorologists predicted a break in the weather. The Eighth Air Force planned what would be the largest air assault in the history of air warfare, 2,000 heavy bombers, plus fighter and other support units, with all groups putting up all airworthy planes. The 457th responded with 45 bombers. The assigned target was Coblenz, Germany. The 457th was to comprise the lead, low and high squadrons of the 94th A Combat Group, flying ninth in Division formation. The Air Commander was Captain Doherty with Captain Seesenguth as pilot. Despite the meteorologists' predictions, the weather on Christmas Eve was just as miserable as the days before, snowing, foggy, with a coldness that penetrated the skin. In early morning, just before six o'clock, two bombs (V-I's) dropped south of the base, apparently intended for a nearby munitions plant. The explosion shook the base. The crews flying the mission had an early morning briefing and proceeded to the planes. However, takeoff was delayed due to the weather. At 1024 hours, the planes did begin taking off. Six planes were airborne before the craft piloted by Lt. Carl P. Sundbaum crashed on takeoff,, claiming the life of one crew member. The explosion rocked the base for the second time that day. The crash closed the runways, because it was not visible in the fog, and crash equipment had difficulty finding it in the field off the end of the runway. Two of the Group aircraft, having been diverted from the previous mission, took off from other bases and joined the six craft already airborne from Glatton. The eight craft assembled on the Glatton Buncher at 7,000 feet and continued to circle it, waiting for the other craft to assemble. Word was then received from the tower that the mission had been scrubbed and to proceed to Ridgewell and land. A little later a stand by was received and shortly thereafter the eight were directed to form with the 401St Bomb Group, and proceed with the mission. They were to fly as high-high squadron with the 40 1st. The aircraft took interval behind the high squadron of the 40 1st Group, but the high-high lead craft was forced to abort after having been hit by antiaircraft fire, and turned the lead over to the No.3 position (the deputy was not able to take over because of mechanical difficulties). Because of this, the section became separated from the 401st and was not able to maintain formation. A visual run was made on Coblenz. There was about one-tenth cloud coverage and visibility was fair. The MPI was not actually sighted because it was obscured by smoke and clouds, and bombing was done by triangulation, the bombs being released from 26,000 feet. No other difficulties were encountered. The lead craft attacked a target of opportunity and returned to base Individually. The other seven aircraft, being unable to rally with the 40lst,joined the 398th Group formation and flew the return route without incident. All aircraft were diverted to other bases because of local weather conditions. A normal let down was made and they landed without further difficulty. Thirty-four aircraft took off in the afternoon and assembled on the Glatton Buncher at 7,000 feet. No difficulties were encountered. No Division assembly was accomplished. Because of the late takeoff, word was received to proceed to the Channel and jettison bombs in order to return to base by 1700 hours. After releasing bombs, the Group executed a 180 degree turn and flew back to the Glatton Buncher. One crew went into enemy territory alone and bombed Daun, a target of opportunity. Because of local weather conditions, all aircraft were diverted to Eye and Horham, where the crews spent a rather miserable Christmas. Three craft that had been diverted from the 19 December mission departed from Knettishell and bombed with the 3 88th Bomb Group. The Eighth Air Force was led on the mission by General Frederick W. Castle, Commanding Officer of the 4th Combat Wing. As General Castle's plane neared the front battle lines of the ground forces, No. 4 engine began to give trouble. A short time later a swarm of Me-I 09s appeared and attacked. No longer able to maintain its lead position, the plane pulled out of formation and was attacked again by the Me-I 09s. With the full bomb load still being carried; General Castle attempted to fly the plane to a spot where no damage could occur to Allied troops. The plane exploded and crashed in Belgium, killing General Castle and the pilot. For gallantry in action, above and beyond the call of duty, General Castle was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
MAYEN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
MERZHAUSEN
Description: AIR DEPOT
NIDDA
Description: AIRFIELD
PFAZEL
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
PZORZHEIM
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
RHEINBACH
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
RUWER
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
SCHONECKEN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
WITTLICH
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
ZELLHAUSEN
Description: AIRFIELD
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 784th Bomb Squadron 786th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-716310
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-760521
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36688087
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Wolves Inc.
- Unit: 467th Bomb Group 789th Bomb Squadron 791st Bomb Squadron
![An airman of the 95th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102447) nicknamed "El's Belles". First handwritten caption on reverse: 'F/L on last of 365's bases in Belgium other side "Angels Sister" [name struck-out and annotated 'No'] 365 FG C Johnson/icm/75' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'BG-A 95 BG.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379271.jpg.webp?itok=QwML6lTh)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: El's Belles
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Paisano
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lucky Lady aka Screaming Eagle
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Farmer's Daughter
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron 615th 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/
IRIS Number 00223365 / B5010 NARA
www.24december1944.com
Lee Cunningham 20-Feb-2015. Edited Title adding "8th Air Force"
Changed location from 'BILIBIS' to 'Biblis, Germany'.
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'.
