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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 173 -- December 23, 1944, Saturday AM Saarburg, Germany Road Bridge
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 173 -- December 23, 1944, Saturday AM Saarburg, Germany Road Bridge
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Place of Take-Off : A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France A/C Dispatched : 49 Total -- 9 A-20's, 39 A-26's, 1 B-26 (PFF) Modified British System Reference: L-146128 Secondary Target : Suitable Alternate Authorized Summary of Results : Bombing results by flight - 3 Excellent, 2 Superior, 2 Undetermined, 1 Unsatisfactory. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 49.60914,6.55461 (49° 36' 33" N, 6° 33' 17" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) wL146128) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
| Date | Report |   |
A/C Serial # Type |
Mis- sion # |
Bomb Sq |
Location | Personnel (Status when available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23, 1944 Saturday |
AAR 45-12-23-510 |
|
44-560 A-20K |
173 | 671 | Marchais, France O-1716 | Buskirk, John A. (Not Injured)
Hanna, Robert C. (Slightly Injured) Corbitt, Charles Houston Jr. (Not Injured) Mahoney, Robert J. (Not Injured) |
| Dec 23, 1944 Saturday |
AAR 45-12-23-535 |
|
41-39216 A-26B |
173 | 668 | Melun/A-55 | Kreh, Eldon B. (Not Injured)
Backus, Edward Nolen (Not Injured) Clark, Claude J. Jr. (Not injured) |
= Entries having actual Reports available for review. = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 173 -- December 23, 1944, Saturday AM
Saarburg, Germany -- Road Bridge
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. S/Sgt Fetko, C., Jr. S/Sgt Heitell, S.L. |
2 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. [Returned Early Landing Gear Would Not Retract] |
3 668th 41-39259 5H-H A-26B Lt Harris, F.W. S/Sgt Hantske, D. |
| 4 668th 41-39264 5H-I A-26B Lt Parker, P.E. S/Sgt Kochan, S.J. |
5 668th 41-39233 5H-F A-26B Lt Buchanan, R.C. Sgt Hindman, R.G. [Returned Early Nose Wheel Would Not Retract] |
6 669th 43-22300 2A-P A-26B Lt Parkhurst, G.J. Cpl Newman, F. |
| 1 669th 44-085 2A-T A-20K Capt DeMun, E.E. Lt McQuade, R.J. S/Sgt Stephens, D.W. Cpl Nelson, P.J. |
2 669th 41-39232 2A-A A-26B Capt Peck, W.A. S/Sgt Mallory, D.F. Lt Smith, D.E. |
3 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. Lt Britt, J.W. S/Sgt Sharp, R.P., Jr. |
| 4 669th 43-22344 2A-C A-26B Lt Greene, W.J. S/Sgt McGuire, J.J. Lt Willard, J.A. |
5 669th 41-39240 2A-K A-26B Lt Hackley, R.H. Cpl Koons, H.A. [Not Airborne Turret Out] |
6 669th 41-39241 2A-F A-26B Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Melchoir, F.E. [Returned Early Nose Wheel Would Not Retract] |
| 1 669th 44-178 2A-L A-20K Capt Stebbins, B.D. Lt Calloway, A.S. S/Sgt Brown, W.J. S/Sgt Carstens, R.W. |
2 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Robertson, R.B. S/Sgt Cheney, M.W. |
3 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Clark, H.B. S/Sgt Sabadosh, J.W. |
| 4 669th 41-39238 2A-M A-26B Lt Blomgren, J.E. Lt Johnson, G.G. S/Sgt Heath, K. |
5 669th 41-39244 2A-I A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. Cpl Draft, L.B. |
6 669th 43-22301 2A-O A-26B Lt Sorrels, D.W. S/Sgt Triber, H.I. |
| SPARE 671st 41-39237 5C-D A-26B Lt VanRope, R.W. Cpl Graham, R.F. [Not Airborne Oil Leak] |
| 1 668th 44-108 5H-M A-20K Capt Prentiss, R.B. Lt Bursiel, F.H. S/Sgt Pfenning, G.H. Sgt Hood, A.R. |
2 668th 41-39269 5H-K A-26B Lt Svenson, R.R. S/Sgt Fild, P.G. [Returned Early Nose Wheel Would Not Retract] |
3 668th 41-39218 5H-C A-26B Lt Cannon, L.E. S/Sgt Brzezinski, E.P. |
| 4 668th 41-39214 5H-B A-26B Lt Wright, J.W. Sgt VanGalder, D.W. |
5 668th 43-22302 5H-D A-26B Lt Roberts, W.H. Sgt Windisch, R.P. |
6 668th 43-22290 5H-L A-26B Lt Lackner, R.J., Jr. Cpl Musarra, A.J. |
| 1 671st 44-560 5C-X A-20K Lt Buskirk, J.A. Lt Hanna, R.C. S/Sgt Corbitt, C.H., Jr. S/Sgt Mahoney, R.J. [Crash Landed Near Laon] |
2 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Galender, J.W. |
3 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Lt Henderson, F.W. S/Sgt Coulombe, P.E. [Returned Early Left Main Landing Gear Would not Retract] |
| 4 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Brown, R.J. |
5 671st 41-39284 5C-C A-26B Lt Mooney, S. Cpl Buckley, W.C. |
6 671st 43-22326 5C-W A-26B Lt Fero, D.A. Sgt Rojas, A.A. |
| 1 671st 44-089 5C-R A-20K Lt Pair, H.F. Lt Corum, J.L. S/Sgt Davis, H.R. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. |
2 671st 41-39211 5C-K A-26B Lt Ames, W.H. S/Sgt Fessler, H.S. |
3 671st 43-22291 5C-Z A-26B Lt VanNoorden, H.M. S/Sgt Thompson, G.H., Jr. |
| 4 671st 43-22313 5C-B A-26B Lt Remiszewski, A. Sgt DiOrio, F.M. F/O Wilson, H.J. |
5 671st 41-39234 5C-P A-26B Lt Edstrom, L.W. Cpl Pompa, P.A. Pfc Stindt, G.S. [Stindt (4th CCU)] |
6 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Winn, A.J.P. Sgt Stephenson, G.G. |
| SPARE 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Murray, T.J., Jr. S/Sgt Jones, R.J. |
| 1 670th 44-173 F6-W A-20K Capt Monroe, H.A. Lt Kirk, R.L. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. Cpl Carney, H.O. |
2 670th 43-22307 F6-N A-26B Lt Johnson, E.L. T/Sgt Goggin, J.F. |
3 670th 43-22296 F6-D A-26B Lt Barausky, P.P. S/Sgt Hall, M. [Not Airborne Stuck in Mud] |
| 4 670th 41-39212 F6-K A-26B Lt Hall, R.B. S/Sgt Burger, L.C. Lt Errotabere, M. |
5 670th 41-39235 F6-M A-26B Lt Popeney, H.V. S/Sgt Arnett, W.E. |
6 670th 41-39217 F6-I A-26B Lt Warren, J.R. S/Sgt Turpin, S.J. |
| 1 670th 44-076 F6-Q A-20K Capt Atkinson, P.G., Jr. Lt Ackerson, D.G. Sgt Friday, L.R. Sgt Collier, J.L. |
2 670th 41-39227 F6-F A-26B Lt Singletary, R.B. Lt Rosenquist, A.E. S/Sgt Cianciosi, A.A. |
3 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Grunig, D.B. S/Sgt Dias, M.E. |
| 4 670th 43-22337 F6-O A-26B Lt Downing, W.E. Sgt Harmon, C.D. Capt Lane, C.H. [Lane (97th WG)] |
5 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Lt Murphy, T.A. S/Sgt O'Connell, L.W. Lt Cook, J.A. |
6 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Bishop, E.G. Sgt Hudnutt, L.W. |
| SPARE 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Sheley, S.H. Sgt Paladino, D.V. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 173 -- December 23, 1944, Saturday AM
Saarburg, Germany -- Road Bridge
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Eight days passed before we were able to fly another mission. During the eight days the Germans had begun their counter-offensive and had made vast gains. The one thing that they had counted on to keep their drive going was supplies and fuel captured from us as they pushed us backwards. The front line troops did a good job of destruction, far more complete than the enemy had expected. It became necessary for him, therefore, to call on his own supplies. If we could cut his vital supply channels, his drive would have to bog down.
On the 23rd we set out to do just that, to cut a vital supply channel. That supply channel was the highway bridge across the river at Saarburg. Thirty-eight planes made the attack on this the largest bridge across the Saar river between Merzig and Trier, and scored excellent to superior results. The bridge was completely destroyed by the 1,000-pounders. The three boxes that made the attack were led by Major Price, Lt. Hand, B-N, Capt. Prentiss, Lt. Bursiel, B-N, and Capt. Monroe, Lt. Kirk, B-N. Lt. Buskirk, flying an A-20 Havoc, had to drop out of the formation on the return trip with one propeller feathered when the engine failed. He made a crash-landing at A-69 near Reims, and the plane was washed out. He and his two gunners were uninjured. His Bombardier-Navigator, Lt. R.C. Hanna, suffered a sprained back.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 178
Mission #173 - 23 December - AM - Saarburg Bridge. The enemy were using this bridge to get their tanks, ammo and troops near our forces, so it had to be taken out. Weather was clear enough for the bombardiers to get a good sighting on the target. Bombing results were two superiors, three excellents. Major Price and Lt. Hand, BN leading Box I could not pick up the target and did not bomb on their first run. Captain Prentiss and Lt. Burseil, BN leading Box II dropped right down the pickle barrel, as the saying goes, rating a superior, since all the planes were in tight enough to blanket the bridge. Other flight leaders were, Lts. Buskirk and Hanna, BN - Lts. Pair and Corum, BN.. Major price and Lt. Hand BN made a second run on the target, scoring one of the excellent ratings. No enemy counterfire or fighters threatened the group.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On the 23rd, the highway bridge over the Saar River at Saarburg was attacked. Captain DeMun, Lt. McQuade, B-N, and Captain Stebbins, Lt. Calloway, B-N, both scored excellent results on the target, while leading flights. The bombs completely destroyed the bridge which had borne many tons of equipment going to the troops advancing in their Ardennes breakthrough.
That afternoon the defended town of Waxweiler was attacked. Due to the haste in which the mission was planned, insufficient time for preparation, and meager target material, Lieutenant Moore, Captain Morton's B-N, leading the first box, made an error in navigation and bombed a marshalling yard at the outskirts of Arlon, behind our own troops. Captain Hulse, Lieutenant Conte, B-N, leading the second box, went on in to bomb the primary target with excellent resutls.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
With the enemy advance came a high priority job of destroying his vital supply lines. On the 23d of December a mission took off to destroy the bridge at Sarrburg over which enemy materials were flowing. Twelve 670th crews took part in this attack behind the Ardennes salient. In spite of intense accurate flak over the target the planes dropped their 1,000-pound bombs with deadly accuracy and completely destroyed the bridge. Before this mission returned to the base another was on the line. This was to attack the defended village of Waxwieler.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
December 23rd, 1944
Brisk, clear weather gave the Allied air powers the chance they had been waiting for on December 23rd, 1944 when the Eighth and Ninth Air Force went out in force to rock the Nazis on their heels. The 416th Bomb took its full share of the task and came through with flying colors. Taking off at 1000 the Invaders proceeded to their target, a highway bridge at Saarburg, spanning the Saar River, 10 miles south of Trier.
Major Price led the formation, but his flight failed to bomb on the first run. However, the three flights following him layed their bombs down on the target with excellent and superior results. Lt.Buskirk and Lt. Hanna followed these flights, but he ran into trouble. His left engine was pouring black smoke and threatening to cut out. He was unable to get the ship righted in time for an accurate bomb run, but his bombs went away and landed on buildings near the bridge. Turning off the target, Lt.Buskirk found his ship wouldn't keep altitude and the engine was getting worse, so he turned over the lead to the Number 4 man and crash landed his plane, A-20K, 560, north of Rheims. He did an excellent job of crash landing, only the Bombardier, Lt.Hanna being injured. He received a sprained back and is now on the mend.
Lt. Pair and Lt. Corum followed Lt. Buskirk over the target and "Hot Shot" Corum racked up a superior rating on his bombing. The center of the bursts was 250 feet from the DMPI. The bombs blanketed the bridge and approach. Two more flights followed Lt. Pair over and they finished up the job of completely knocking it out. Major Price then made his second bomb run and visual results of excellent were reported.
Crews reported enemy fighters in the vicinity of the target area and later information proved their observations correct. The Luftwaffe rose in considerable strength and hammered at Marauder formations with affect. At the end of the day the scoreboard showed 12 A/C lost, 24 missing, 4 A/C crashed and 2 A/C crashed landed. The 416th escaped with just the loss of Lt. Buskirk's A-20K.
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[December 23, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, December 23, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |