704
6 November 1944
Image reloaded to correct orientation. Original upload from user https://www.americanairmuseum.com/user/7842.
From Donald Muckerman's records kept during his time in England during WWII.
Object Number - UPL 39017 - Mission list kept by 2nd Lt. Donald Muckerman of the 8th Airforce, 305th Bomb Group, 422nd Squadron (back)
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
BOTTROP/WILHEIM
Description: OIL REFINERY
DUISBURG
Description: BENZOL OIL PLANT
HAMBURG/HARBURG
Description: OIL REFINERY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The 398th Bomb Group flies its first mission. 457th BG MISSION NO. 145: HARBURG, GERMANY, 6 NOVEMBER 1944 Again an oil refinery was attacked by the 457th. The target was Harburg. Captain Dozier was in command with Lt. Jeffers as pilot. The Group comprised the 94th C Combat Wing. After assembly, the Group assumed its proper position in the Division formation and proceeded across the Channel to attack its target. The IP was reached six minutes late because winds were not as briefed. After the turn at the IP, the craft piloted by Lt. Edward P. McGroarty left the formation. No damage, fire or chutes were observed and reason for leaving is unknown. Only one crewrnan survived. The turn on the bomb run was made about five miles northwest of the briefed IP. The target area was covered with ten tenths clouds and PFF was utilized. Although the Group encountered moderate anti-aircraft fire, its accuracy was only fair. All three squadrons released their bombs on the smoke marker of the Group Lead aircraft. Results were unobserved.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
HAMBURG/LUBECK
Description: OIL REFINERY
HAMBURG/RHENANIA
Description: OIL REFINERY
HAMM
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
MINDEN/MITTELLAND CANAL
Description: CANAL
NEUMUNSTER
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
NEUMUNSTER
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
RHEYDT
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
STERKRADE
Description: OIL REFINERY
VREDEN
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
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: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- 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: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Togglier
Aircraft
![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: Hale's Angels
- Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Little Kenny
- Unit: 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
- 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: The Challenger
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
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'.
