9th AF Patch

416th Bombardment Group (L)

Mission # 262 -- April 8, 1945, Sunday AM

Munchen-Bernsdorf, Germany

Railroad Siding And Oil Storage Tanks

 

WWII-Medal

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Summary of Operations

Field Order        : 242-839
OpRep #            : 8.0
Nature of Mission  : Bombing
Mission Status     : Attacked
Bombing Altitude   : 8,000 -9,000 feet
Take-off Time      : 0741
Time Over Target   : 0955 - 0958
Landing Time       : 1159
Duration (Hrs:Min) : 4:18
 

Place of Take-Off  : A-69 Laon/Athies, France
A/C Dispatched     : 44 Total -- 44 A-26's
Modified British System Reference: WJ-940541
Secondary Target   : Possneck (G.S.G.S. No. 4416 S-6)
Summary of Results : Primary target results - All flights Undertermined except Flight 3, Box 2 - Excellent. Some a/c attacked casual target (J-641527) with Unknown results.

Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.81296,11.91305 (50° 48' 47" N, 11° 54' 47" E)
(Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) wJ940541)
(See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ)


Scanned original Mission 262 documents (multipage PDF files)

Mission Folder       Reports Folder       OpRep # 8       Fuel Use

If nothing happens on Click, check to see if the PDF file was automatically saved to your computer. Depending on Internet speed, the display or download may be slow.
These Public Domain, Declassified Mission documents were graciously provided to the 416th BG Archive by the dedicated staff of the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA).
An on-line index of records held by AFHRA up to 2001 is available at Air Force History Index.org.
Most of these PDF files are unaltered originals provided by the AFHRA, a few have been re-organized.
Pages may be out of sequence; files may contain scanned blank pages and/or pages scanned upside-down; some pages may be included in more than one file.
The "Mission Folder" usually contains the majority of documents for a Mission, including Field Orders, Status Reports, Pilot Interrogations, Photos (if available), etc.




Loading List 1

Loading List 1, Box I
One Camera Aircraft Also Assigned To This Mission



Loading List 2

Loading List 2, Boxes II and III


Route Map

Route Map


Target Topo Map

Primary Target area around MBS Coordinate (NGZ) wJ940541
Extracted from GSGS-4416/AMS-M641 Sheet R6 - "Jena" 1:100:000 Military Topographic Map
(Downloaded from Map Archive of Wojskowy Instytut Geograficzny 1919 - 1939,
GSGS 4416 / AMS M641, 651, 671 Germany, Poland, Middle Danube 1:100,000,
Jena sheet)
(Note: This coordinate and map display represent the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ)

(Annotated Full Map PDF)



Mission Loading Lists Transcription

Mission # 262 -- April 8, 1945, Sunday AM
Munchen-Bernsdorf, Germany -- Railroad Siding And Oil Storage Tanks

Included are Box, Flight and Position; Bomb Squadron; Aircraft Serial Number, Fuselage Code and Model; and Crew Members
transcribed from individual mission Loading List documents by Chris and Mary Adams and Carl Sgamboti.
Some information, such as Squadron, Serial Number, etc. has been expanded from other documents.

Box I -- Flight I
  1  670th                   
  43-22528  F6-T  A-26C
  Maj Ferris, C.H.
  Lt Royalty, P.G.
  Lt McNutt, M.C.
  S/Sgt Rio, D.J.
  2  670th                   
  41-39564  F6-V  A-26B
  Lt Chitty, W.D., Jr.
  Sgt Raccio, V.B.
 
 
  3  670th                   
  41-39286  F6-D  A-26B
  Lt Henson, A.G.
  Cpl Homler, R.K.
 
 
  4  670th                   
  41-39232  F6-N  A-26B
  Lt Turner, E.O.
  S/Sgt Belcas, J.O.
 
 
  5  670th                   
  43-22334  F6-G  A-26B
  Lt Stankowski, J.F.
  Sgt Vellinga, J.R.
 
 
  6  670th                   
  41-39315  F6-F  A-26B
  Lt Curtis, J.C.
  Sgt Mathews, J.M.
 
 

Box I -- Flight II
  1  668th                   
  43-22508  5H-Z  A-26C
  Capt Stanley, C.S.
  F/O Blount, J.H., Jr.
  S/Sgt Collier, C.B.
 
  2  668th                   
  41-39310  5H-A  A-26B
  Lt Cannon, L.E.
  S/Sgt Gandy, R.S.
 
 
  3  668th                   
  41-39325  5H-L  A-26B
  Lt Hale, W.L.
  S/Sgt Bentzler, D.H.
 
 
  4  668th                   
  43-22321  5H-T  A-26B
  Lt Colquitt, J.K.
  S/Sgt Mohr, C.M.
 
 
  5  668th                   
  41-39274  5H-S  A-26B
  Lt Prucha, L.J.
  T/Sgt Wilson, G.C.
 
 
  6  668th                   
  41-39352  5H-J  A-26B
  Lt Lackner, R.J., Jr.
  Sgt Fidler, W.H.
 
 

Box I -- Flight III
  1  668th                   
  43-22484  5H-C  A-26C
  Lt Parker, P.E.
  Lt Shaft, R.E.
  S/Sgt Kochan, S.J.
 
  2  668th                   
  43-22640  5H-N  A-26C
  Lt Laseter, W.H.
  Lt Schlefer, M.P.
  Sgt Cross, R.M.
 
  3  668th                   
  41-39188  5H-R  A-26B
  Lt McCready, T.D.
  S/Sgt Lemonds, W.E.
 
 
  4  668th                   
  41-39305  5H-U  A-26B
  Lt Harris, F.W.
  S/Sgt Fuehrer, W.F.
 
 
  5  668th                   
  41-39264  5H-I  A-26B
  Lt Evarts, A.V.
  Sgt Fagan, C.D.
 
 
  6  668th                   
  41-39233  5H-F  A-26B
  Lt Drum, E.B.
  S/Sgt Hindman, R.G.
 
 

Box I
  SPARE  669th               
  41-39263  2A-G  A-26B
  Lt Hackley, R.H.
  S/Sgt Basford, F.P.
 
 
  CAMERA  670th             
  41-39398  F6-Q  A-26B
  Lt Singletary, R.B.
  S/Sgt Wiggins, H.G.
  W/O Scheuerman, C.B.
  S/Sgt Snider, S.J.
  [Scheuerman, Snider (4th CCU)]
                             


Box II -- Flight I
  1  670th                   
  43-22501  F6-W  A-26C
  Lt Brewster, F.S.
  Lt Dennis, L.W.
  F/O Conley, F.J.
  S/Sgt Clark, W.O.
  2  670th                   
  43-22469  F6-A  A-26C
  Lt Barausky, P.P.
  Lt Sheehan, W.E., Jr.
  S/Sgt Hall, M.
 
  3  670th                   
  43-22330  F6-P  A-26B
  Lt Musgrove, W.
  S/Sgt Burns, D.E.
 
 
  4  670th                   
  41-39205  F6-M  A-26B
  Lt Bishop, E.G.
  S/Sgt Harris, M.C.
  S/Sgt Richards, D.B.
 
  5  670th                   
  41-39212  F6-K  A-26B
  F/O Boerner, S.B., Jr.
  Cpl Showers, M.W.
 
 
  6  670th                   
  41-39223  F6-B  A-26B
  Lt Sheley, S.H.
  S/Sgt Paladino, D.V.
 
 

Box II -- Flight II
  1  671st                   
  43-22497  5C-E  A-26C
  Lt Lackovich, J.J.
  Lt Muir, R.C.
  Cpl Barry, R.M.
 
  2  669th                   
  43-22492  2A-E  A-26C
  Lt Fero, D.A.
  F/O Langsam, R.L.
  S/Sgt Skelton, T.W.
 
  3  671st                   
  41-39249  5C-F  A-26B
  Lt Winn, A.J.P.
  S/Sgt Stephenson, G.G.
 
 
  4  671st                   
  41-39239  5C-N  A-26B
  Capt Sears, A.C.
  F/O Przywitowski, S.J.
  M/Sgt Wells, J.J.
 
  5  671st                   
  41-39300  5C-K  A-26B
  Lt Graeber, T.E.
  Sgt Miller, A.H.
 
 
  6  671st                   
  41-39297  5C-T  A-26B
  Lt Wright, J.R.
  Sgt Simon, D.O.
 
 

Box II -- Flight III
  1  669th                   
  43-22609  2A-N  A-26C
  Lt Jordan, C.S.
  Lt Mulgrew, R.P.
  Lt Moore, D.L.
  S/Sgt Brinkman, E.R.
  2  669th                   
  41-39244  2A-I  A-26B
  Lt VanRope, R.W.
  S/Sgt Klingman, W.H.
 
 
  3  669th                   
  41-39314  2A-H  A-26B
  Lt Weinert, C.E.
  Sgt Francis, R.D.
 
 
  4  669th                   
  41-39252  2A-D  A-26B
  Lt Allen, J.F., Jr.
  S/Sgt Getgen, L.R.
 
 
  5  669th                   
  41-39271  2A-R  A-26B
  Lt Harper, R.B.
  Sgt Black, R.M.
  Sgt Heenan, D.K.
 
  6  669th                   
  41-39362  2A-Y  A-26B
  Lt Housley, C.H.
  Sgt Block, P.J.
  S/Sgt Kruger, C.J.
  [Returned Early Engine Cutting Out]
 

Box II
  SPARE  669th               
  41-39229  2A-B  A-26B
  Lt Smith, B.A.
  Sgt Richards, D.A.
 
 
                                                           


Box III -- Flight I
  1  671st                   
  43-22499  5C-G  A-26C
  Capt Tutt, R.J.
  Lt Orr, L.A.
  Sgt Schwartzapel, D.
 
  2  671st                   
  43-22356  5C-C  A-26B
  Lt Milhorn, G.L.
  Sgt Chest, D.
 
 
  3  671st                   
  41-39360  5C-L  A-26B
  Lt Gary, J.C.
  Cpl Schoen, A.E., Jr.
 
 
  4  671st                   
  43-22313  5C-B  A-26B
  Lt Withington, D.L., III
  S/Sgt Eaton, A.B.
 
 
  5  671st                   
  41-39328  5C-D  A-26B
  Lt Price, D.L.
  Sgt Reicher, J.F.
 
 
  6  671st                   
  41-39250  5C-A  A-26B
  Lt Simpson, R.L.
  Sgt Stypenski, V.S.
 
 



Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 262 -- April 8, 1945, Sunday AM
Munchen-Bernsdorf, Germany -- Railroad Siding And Oil Storage Tanks


"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1945"
Transcribed from USAF Archives

Principally because of the extreme distance of any suitable targets, the third mission of the month was not flown until the 8th, when 42 planes attacked the Munchen-Bersndorf railroad sidings and oil storage tanks. Crews reported violent explosions in the storage area and many hits on the railroad siding. Photo interpretation found three tanks destroyed, one large storage type building one-half destroyed, and two other storage buildings damaged. Craters blocked the roads in at least four places. There was no flak, but one plane suffered battle damage when a bomb dropped from another flight exploded prematurely under this plane. Due to the similarity of terrain and smoke, one flight misidentified the target and dropped 4 1/2 miles southwest of the target. The three boxes were led by Major Ferris with Lts Royalty and McNutt, B&N, Lt Brewster, Lt Dennis and F/O Conley, B&N, and Capt Tutt, Lt Orr B&N.


"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 248

Mission #262 - 8 April - AM - Munchen-Bernsdorf Railroad sidings and oil storage tanks. Three boxes of a total of 42 planes created a very successful mission. Four different groups attacked this target in 20 minute intervals. When our crews got there, smoke and fire were the only thing to aim at and six of our crews did that with perfection. Violent explosions and fire balls rose as our bombs hit. A seventh flight of our group misidentified the target and dropped his bombs about five miles southwest of the primary target. Smoke could be seen for about 70 miles away from our primary target, indicating what the photo recon showed, that three storage tanks destroyed, large storage buildings destroyed and craters blocked four roads leading into the facility. Boxes were led by Major Ferris with Lts. Royalty and McNutt, BNs,-Lt. Brewster with Lt. Dennis and F/O Conley BNs, and Captain Tutt with Lt. Orr, BN. Lts. Lackovich and Orr BN,-Lt. Fero and F/O Langsam BN, - Captain Sears and F/O Przywitowski BN, led flights.


"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

It was not until the eighth of the month that the next operation was run. On that day two missions were flown. The first of these missions attacked the Munchen-Bernsdorf Railroad Sidings and Oil Storage Tanks. Good weather permitted visual bombing runs to be made. Violent explosions were seen, by the crews, in the target area. Lt. Jordan, with Lts. Mulgrew and Moore, led the Third Flight of the Second Box of the formation.


"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

Two missions were flown on 8 April 1945. The morning mission target Munchen Bernsdorf was led by Major Ferris, Lt. Royalty and Lt. McNutt with Lt. Brewster and Lt Dennis leading the second box. The results were unobserved due to smoke and flames caused by earlier bombing. This was the last mission for Lt Royalty as his tour was completed on this day. 12 aircraft of this squadron participated, which was maximum effort. 6 aircraft of this squadron took off in the afternoon mission against Sonderhausen and excellent results were determined.


"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns

April 8th, 1945

With their longest rest since the beginning of March behind them...four days, the 416th swung back into action on April 8th with two attacks against a communication and an oil storage plant. Both missions were run without loss, but smoke and haze proved to be just as bad as flak on the evening mission.

In the morning the Group hit the Munchen-Bernsdorf Oil Storage plant with very successful results. Due to heavy smoke covering the target area, the lead bombardiers in six of the seven flights estimated the DMPI and released. Violent explosions and fires resulted. Some bombs covered roads in the area, but most of the 150 GPs fell into smoke. The seventh flight misidentified the target and bombed about five miles southwest of the primary. Four groups attacked this target at 20-minute intervals starting at 9A.M. Smoke could be seen 70 miles from the target after the bombing. It is evident that the Germans suffered a complete loss of this vital storage plant. The target was located 40 miles southeast of Leipzig.

The target in the afternoon was the town of Sonderahausen. It was reported by ground forces to be a center of resistance to elements of the First

U.S.Army, fighting in the vicinity of Mulhausen. Its destruction would hamper communications in the area and would probably destroy supplies and personnel in the town. Taking off in late afternoon the formation found the target covered by haze and smoke, caused by previous bombings. Lt. Brown and Lt. Kerns were leading the first box and Lt. Buskirk and Lt.Hanna the second. Lt. Kerns led the formation to the I.P., but his Gee Box went out and he was unable to pick out the target at that time. The rest of the flights went on to the target and dropped from 4900 to 9500 feet. Almost all of the bombs fell into the city with devastating results. Lt. Kerns finally got his Gee set to function after about an hour of circling over Germany. The smoke and haze had cleared by then and he dropped his bombs with excellent results on the town. Lt. Hanna could not get a rating as the bombs fell into smoke and no bursts were visible. Of the six flights dispatched, four received an excellent rating on bombing. The crews in Lt. Brown's flight logged upward to five hours. Luckily flak was not encountered.




[April 8, 1945], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map

Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe
as of approximately 1200 hours, April 8, 1945
World War II Military Situation Maps Collection
Library of Congress


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