8th Air Force 962
20 April 1945Owner of original source material
Mission Details
Description: FIGHTER SWEEP
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: This is the last combat mission for the 493rd BG. They have flown 160 missions (110 in B017s and 50 in B-24s) in 4,781 sorties and dropped 11,730 tons of bombs. They report 41 aircraft MIA. Aircraft left UK AUG 45. Group inactivated Nov 45.
Description: RAIL JUNCTION
Description: RAIL JUNCTION
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Description: RAIL INDUSTRY
Notes: The 8th AF is running out of targets; the Germans are on their last legs, and it's time to reduce our airmens exposure to combat. This is the last combat mission of the 34th BG. They have flown170 missions (108 in B-17s and 62 in B-24s) in 5,713 sorties and dropped 13,425 tons of bombs. They reported 34 aircraft MIA but did not lose a single bomber to enemy fighters. Aircraft returned to US in Jun45. Ground unit sailed on Queen Elizabeth 6 Aug 45. Group inactivated on 28 Aug 45. This is the last combat mission for the 95th Bomb Group. They have flown 320 missions in 8,903 sorties and dropped a total of 19,769 tons of bombs. They claim the highest total of enemy aircraft in 8th AF - 425 and are the only 8th AF BG to be awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations. They recorded 147 aircraft MIA. Aircraft began leaving the UK on 19 Jun 45. Ground unit sailed on the Queen Elizabeth on 5 Aug 45. Group inactivated on 28 Aug 45.
Description: AIRFIELD
Notes: This is the last combat mission for the 457th BG. They have flown 237 missions in 7,086 sorties and dropped 16,916 tons of bombs. They reported 83 aircraft MIA. Aircraft returned to US late May 45. Ground unit sailed on Queen Elizabeth 24 Jun 45. Group inactivated 28 Aug 45. This is the last combat mission for the 490th BG. They have flown 158 missions in 5,060 sorties and dropped 12,407tons of bombs and been awarded 2 Distinguished Unit Citations. They reported 22 aircraft MIA, the lowest of any 8th AF BG. They had the second best rating in bombing accuracy. Aircraft returned to US on 6 Jul 45. Ground unit sailed on Queen Elizabeth 26 Aug 45. Group inactivated 7 Nov 45.
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: This is the last combat mission for the 385th BG. They have flown a total of 296 missions in 8,246 sorties and dropped 18,494 tons of bombs. They 129 aircraft MIA. They will participate with humanitarian missions to Holland in May 45. They will leave the UK in June and August of 1945. The ground unit will leave the UK on 5 Aug 45 on the Queen Elizabeth. The group will be inactivated on 28 Aug 45. This is the last combat mission for the 388th BG. They have flown a total of 306 missions in B-17s and 25 missions in B-24s (19 APHRODITE & 6 BATTY). Total sorties and bomb tonnage not recorded in available data. They report 142 aircraft MIA. The aircraft will leave the UK between 9 Jun 45 an Jul 45. The ground unit will leave the UK on 45Aug 45 on the Queen Elizabeth. Group inactivated on 28 Aug 45.
Description: CARPETBAGGER MISSION
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: This is the last combat mission for the 390th BG. They have flown 300 missions in 8,725 sorties and dropped 19,059 tons of bombs. They have one airman, Hewitt Dunn, who completes 100 missions. They reported 144 aircraft MIA. The aircraft leave the UK on the 25-26 Jun 45 and the ground unit sails on the Queen Elizabeth on 5 Aug 45. Group inactivated on 28 Aug 45. This is the last combat mission for the 401st BG. They have flown 255 missions in 7,430 sorties and dropped 17,778 tons of bombs and been awarded 2 Distinguished Unit Citations. They reported 95 aircraft MIA. They had the second best rating in bombing accuracy for 8th AF. Aircraft left UK 30 May to 4 Jun 45. Ground unit sailed on Queen Elizabeth 25 Jun 45. Group inactivated 28 Aug 45.
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: This is the last combat mission for the 100th BG, "The Bloody Hundredth". They have flown 306 missions with 8,630 sorties and dropped 19,257 tons of bombs. They report 177 aircraft MIA. In October and December of 1945 their aircraft will be returned to the US. The final contingent of ground personnel will leave the UK on the Lake Chamlain on 12 Dec 45. Group inactivated on 21 Dec 45. This is the last combat mission for the 351st BG. They have flown a total of 311 missions (actor Clark Gable flew some of these missions as a gunner) with 8,600 sorties and dropped 20,357 tons of bombs. They record 124 aircraft MIA. The first of their aircraft will leave the UK on 21 May 1945. The ground unit will sail for the US on the Queen Elizabeth on 25 June 45. Group inactivated on 28 August 1945.
Description: RAIL BRIDGE
Notes: A mix of 228 P-47 and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data. This is the last date that the 25th Bomb Group flew a reconnaissance sortie during the war. They will remain attached to 1st Bomb Division until 25 Aug 45.They have flown 3,370 sorties and report 15 aircraft MIA. Aircraft left UK in Jul-Aug 45 along with ground unit. Group inactivated 8 Sep 45.
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: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34725400
- Role/Job: Toglier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12120324 / O-835109
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36864214
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Diana Queen Of The Chase
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Dynamite John
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lucky Lady : 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
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Big Dog
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
Related videos and documents
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 53399
- Description: 401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 254, 20 Apr 1945, Brandenburg, Germany
Revisions
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'.