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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 244 -- March 20, 1945, Tuesday AM Geisecke, Germany Marshalling Yards
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 244 -- March 20, 1945, Tuesday AM Geisecke, Germany Marshalling Yards
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Place of Take-Off : A-69 Laon/Athies, France A/C Dispatched : 42 Total -- 41 A-26's, 1 B-26 (PFF) Modified British System Reference: A-930182 Secondary Target : Westerburg or Holzhen Railroad (G-170190 or M-220770) Summary of Results : 3 a/c dropped Window, 36 attacked Westerburg (Alternate) - Results Box 1 - Superior, Box 2 - Unsatisfactory. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 51.46254,7.63646 (51° 27' 45" N, 7° 38' 11" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) rA930182) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 244 -- March 20, 1945, Tuesday AM
Geisecke, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
| 1 668th 43-22508 5H-Z A-26C Maj Shaefer, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. Lt Roman, L.J. S/Sgt Merritt, O.N., Jr. |
2 671st 43-22499 5C-G A-26C Lt Buskirk, J.A. Lt Hanna, R.C. S/Sgt Corbitt, C.H., Jr. |
3 668th 43-22385 5H-D A-26B Lt Montrose, J.H. S/Sgt Gandy, R.S. |
| 4 668th 43-22389 5H-X A-26B Lt Cannon, L.E. S/Sgt Brzezinski, E.P. |
5 668th 43-22321 5H-T A-26B Lt Parkhurst, G.J. Sgt Newman, F. |
6 668th 43-22495 5H-G A-26C Lt Long, R.H. Sgt McCarthy, C.J. |
| 1 670th 43-22507 F6-Q A-26C Lt Brewster, F.S. Lt Dennis, L.W. S/Sgt Clark, W.O. |
2 670th 43-22469 F6-A A-26C Lt Popeney, H.V. Lt Fry, C.F. S/Sgt Candler, H.C.S. |
3 670th 43-22307 F6-N A-26B Lt Wallace, J.F. Sgt Krantz, J.G. |
| 4 671st 43-22356 5C-C A-26B Lt Musgrove, W. S/Sgt Seighman, H.O. |
5 671st 41-39297 5C-T A-26B Lt O'Brien, J.V. Sgt Corey, F.E. |
6 670th 41-39205 F6-M A-26B Lt Stankowski, J.F. Sgt Kimball, A.H. |
| 1 670th 43-22501 F6-W A-26C Lt Grunig, D.B. Lt Morris, B.C. S/Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr. |
2 668th 41-39233 5H-F A-26B Lt Ford, R. Sgt Thompson, C.J. |
3 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Capt Gruetzemacher, R.O. S/Sgt Ricketson, J.J. S/Sgt Elliott, F.W. |
| 4 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Turner, E.O. S/Sgt Sienkiewicz, J., Jr. |
5 670th 41-39416 F6-O A-26B Capt Borman, H.W. Sgt Carney, T.D. |
6 671st 43-22352 5C-J A-26B F/O Boerner, S.B., Jr. Sgt Torres, I. |
| SPARE 669th 41-39338 2A-O A-26B Lt Drum, E.B. Sgt Schwartzkopf, J.R. |
| 1 671st 43-22498 5C-R A-26C Lt Errotabere, M. Lt Wilbur, M.F. Sgt Lynch, P.R. Sgt Bowie, E.A. |
2 671st 41-39332 5C-P A-26B Lt Miller, J.H. Sgt Maupin, W.W. Sgt Gurkin, C.W., Jr. |
3 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Lt Henderson, F.W. Sgt McNellis, D.E. Sgt Goldberg, L. |
| 1 668th 43-22523 5H-N A-26C Capt Evans, H.M. Lt McCartney, T.M. Lt Freed, D.R. S/Sgt Skeens, C.L. |
2 669th 43-22492 2A-E A-26C Lt Blomgren, J.E. F/O Wrubelle, W.M. Lt Johnson, G.G. S/Sgt Fleming, L.R. |
3 668th 41-39325 5H-L A-26B Lt Hale, W.L. S/Sgt Fuehrer, W.F. |
| 4 668th 41-39274 5H-S A-26B Lt McCready, T.D. Cpl Hawk, D.W. |
5 668th 41-39264 5H-I A-26B Lt Evarts, A.V. Sgt Fagan, C.D. |
6 668th 41-39335 5H-W A-26B F/O Gunkel, H.G. S/Sgt Calabrese, C.L. |
| 1 669th 43-22487 2A-J A-26C Capt Miller, E.L. Lt Conner, J.K. S/Sgt Floyd, C.F. |
2 669th 41-39314 2A-H A-26B Lt Martin, E.C. Lt Britt, J.W. Sgt Draft, L.B. |
3 669th 43-22381 2A-Q A-26B F/O Swap, F.W. Sgt Meliniotis, N. |
| 4 669th 41-39362 2A-Y A-26B Capt Sommers, H.L. S/Sgt Donnelly, W.W. |
5 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Harper, R.B. Cpl Black, R.M. |
6 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Smith, D.E. S/Sgt Kirik, S.J. |
| 1 671st 43-22490 5C-X A-26C Lt Lackovich, J.J. Lt Muir, R.C. S/Sgt Connery, T.F. |
2 671st 43-22497 5C-E A-26C Capt Tutt, R.J. Lt Orr, L.A. Sgt Schwartzapel, D. |
3 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Edstrom, L.W. Sgt Pompa, P.A. |
| 4 671st 43-22419 5C-Z A-26B Lt Spires, J.W. Sgt Messinger, R.W. |
5 671st 43-22326 5C-W A-26B Lt Graeber, T.E. Sgt Appleman, M. |
6 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Capt Moore, Z.R. S/Sgt Johnson, R.J. |
| SPARE 669th 43-22383 2A-V A-26B Lt Zeimet, L.R. Sgt Ray, R.K. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 244 -- March 20, 1945, Tuesday AM
Geisecke, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Slowing down somewhat to catch our breath on the 20th, only one mission was flown. The target was the Geisecke marshalling yards. The PPF plane, which was leading the formation, developed engine trouble at the I.P. and had to leave the formation. A large cloud hung over the target and after three runs without success, the leader of the first box led the formation to the briefed secondary target, the town of Westerberg...a total of 76 tons of bombs were dropped on the already badly hit town. The first box wiped out the center of the town. Noticing activity in the yards nearby, the bombardier in the second box changed his aiming point at the last minute. It threw of his accuracy and his bombs landed in the woods, but some cut minor roads. The two boxes were led by Major Shaefer and Lts Hand and Roman, B&N, and Capt Evans, Lts McCartney and Freed, B&N. Although the formation passed over several heavily defended Ruhr towns, only on the third run over the primary target was weak, inaccurate flak encountered.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 233 - 234
Mission #244 - 20 March - Geisecke Marshalling Yard. PFF Pathfinder B-26s led our group. The PFF plane developed engine trouble before the bomb run. Major Shaefer and Lts. Hand and Roman, BNs leading box I took three bomb runs over the target, eventually dropping on the secondary target, Westerberg with success. The second box led by Captain Evans and Lts. McCartney and Freed, BNs had difficulty and changed their aiming point to another part of the town, but his bombs scattered in the woods. However, 76 tons of bombs blanketed the town of Westerberg. Weak, inaccurate flak was experienced. Captain Tutt, Lt. Orr, BN and Lts. Buskirk and Hanna, BN, plus Lts. Lackovich and Muir led flights. Two pilots of the 671st who joined the squadron in May 1944 flew their 65th missions today as window dropping planes.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On the 20th, the formation bombed the Geisecke Marshalling Yard. The bombing run was made by the use of PPF technique, because the cloud cover made a visual run impossible. Lt. Blomgren and his B/N Lt. G.G. Johnson, flew as deputy leaders of the second box. Capt. Miller and Lt. Conner led the second flight of the second box.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
A formation took off on 20 March to attack the Geisecke
Marshalling Yards. However this target was covered with clouds and
could not be found so the secondary target was attacked. This was the
town of Westerberg, which was wiped out by the 76 tons of 1000 pound
bombs dropped. The bombing was rated as excellent.
Captain Paul G. Atkinson returned to the organization on 20 March
after being hospitalized since his crack up in Germany on the 23rd of
January.
Captain Chester C. Slaughter, Captain R.J. Koch and Pfc Louie
Massoni arrived on the 20th of March from the 29th Infantry Division
for the purpose of observing activities of the bombardment group.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
March 20th, 1945
Two veteran 671st pilots finished their E.T.O. tour on March 20th, flying window when the A-69 Invaders struck at the Geiaecke Marshalling Yard, on the main line between Dusseldorf and Kassel. The two pilots were Lt. James
H. Miller and Lt. Floyd W. Henderson who joined the 671st Bomb Squadron the first week of May, 1944. The two pilots celebrated their 65th mission by giving out with some super buzz jobs of both the runway and squadron area. It was some of the best buzzing seen in these here parts for some time. The two pilots, who have been on many of the roughest missions the Group has flown, are now awaiting their orders to return to the States.
The mission was dispatched as Pathfinder, but trouble was encountered on the bomb run. The PFF ship had engine trouble on the run and had to leave the formation. The first box bombed on the briefed secondary, Westerberg, and received a superior rating. The second box received an unsatisfactory as the bombardier was not synchronized and the bombs fell quite a distance from the town.
There were no losses or casualties and the crew returned in tact.
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[March 20, 1945], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, March 20, 1945 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |