Because of continued poor bombing weather over Europe, various plans with target options were chosen for missions on this day. These multiple plans complicated the aircrew briefings to a greater extent than usual. For example, Plan "A" called for a strike against an industrial complex at Meschede; Plan "B" assigned the marshalling yards at Chemnitz; and Plan "C" specified the oil complex at Magdeburg for bombing yet again.
At 0415 to 0530, thirty crews were briefed on all three options. Approximately thirty minutes before take-off was scheduled, Plan "C" was designated as "go" and ships began to roll at 0810 hours. Once again, weather over the Continent forced the Group aircraft to climb above 24,000 feet just before the IP. On the bomb run, an armament malfunction caused the entire lead squadron to release bombs some 25 miles out from the target. The other two squadrons continued to make their runs over the marshalling yards with fair results being accomplished from the (316) 500# weapons dropped by H2X methods. Friendly fighter support was rated as very good and once more no enemy aircraft were engaged. Flak was moderate and somewhat inaccurate but eight returning bombers were damaged by AA fire.
Returning crews were given instructions to land on runway 26. The second aircraft to land, 2/Lt Prater's crew from the 577th with one engine out and low on fuel, obstructed the runway when its right main landing gear collapsed. This made it necessary to change to runway 31, with all aircraft told to maintain their landing pattern circuit until Flying Control was ready for landings on the new runway. As 576th pilot 2/Lt Kelley circled the field, all engines quit. He immediately crash-landed in a field about three miles southeast of the airfield. No one was injured in either crash.
Two other crews were forced to land on the Continent because of fuel shortages. These were Lieutenant Barnes' from the 579th in ship #788 (I'll be Back) and Lieutenant Osojnicki's crew in #697 (We'll get By) from the 577th. All other ships managed to land at Wendling around 1440 hours.
The right landing gear on 42-50390 collapsed when 2/Lt Prater attempted to land with one engine out and low on fuel. The plane was repaired and continued flying combat missions.
#42-95272, Pursuit of Happiness, was the plane immediately behind #390 in the landing pattern circuit. Pilot 2/Lt John B. Kelly later stated, "Returning from a operational mission, we checked our gas after leaving enemy coast. There appeared to be sufficient fuel to return to home base, so we returned with the formation. Upon reaching home base, we found the field closed to traffic due to an accident on the runway. This necessitated circling the field for a short time. I instructed the engineer to put all fuel valves on 'Tank to engine to crossfeed' position. As I was turning on the base leg all engines quit. We immediately crash landed in a field, being unable to reach the runway. There was no injuries to personnel."
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 387 |
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P Raczko, W. 2nd Lt. CP McGill, C.L. 2nd Lt. N Cline, A.P. F/O B Feldman, P. 2nd Lt. R Reynolds, J.R. S/Sgt. E VanDeven, J.K. S/Sgt. RW Holland, J.R. S/Sgt. LW Parker, R.J. S/Sgt. TG Adkins, J.E. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 916 |
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P Markuson, C.O. 2nd Lt. CP Hutchcroft, H.W. 2nd Lt. N Maceyra, E. 2nd Lt. B Hunter, E.R. S/Sgt. R Burke, J.E. T/Sgt. E Cain, P.L. T/Sgt. RW Monaghan, T.D. S/Sgt. LW Howard, J.B. S/Sgt. TG Horn, J.E. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 299 |
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P Proctor, H.E. 2nd Lt. CP Russell, C.E. 2nd Lt. N Plagenhoef, S.C. 2nd Lt. B Wade, T.E. Sgt. R Kerfoot, D.A. Sgt. E Sevier, R.M. Pvt. RW Gill, J.B. Sgt. LW Kouzes, G. Sgt. TG Dippel, W.L. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 302 |
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P Sommers, O.L. 1st Lt. CP McFarland, J.D. 1st Lt. N Judd, G.G. 1st Lt. B Streicher, H.P. Jr. 1st Lt. R Fender, J.F. T/Sgt. E Drummond, W.D. T/Sgt. RW O'Kane, R.P. S/Sgt. LW McNeill, C.E. S/Sgt. TG Luciano, S. S/Sgt. S-27 Steffen, N.W. T/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 770 |
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P Crowell, R.K. 2nd Lt. CP Berkley, J.B. 2nd Lt. N Byrnes, W.B. 2nd Lt. B Colquhoun, R.N. S/Sgt. R Waggener, L.R. S/Sgt. E Hough, J.F. M/Sgt. RW Anastos, G. S/Sgt. LW Tracy, R.D. S/Sgt. TG Moffa, A.J. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 659 |
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P Peterson, T.W. 1st Lt. CP Rohe, J.M. 1st Lt. N Damerst, W.A. 2nd Lt. B Lawson, R.F. 2nd Lt. R Green, C.M. T/Sgt. E Bruney, G.L. T/Sgt. RW Hankins, T.E. S/Sgt. LW Mitchell, D.F. Pvt. TG Hoffman, G.A. S/Sgt. PN Miller, S. 1st Lt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 194 |
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P Novik, A.J. 1st Lt. CP Graves, J.H. 1st Lt. N Leonard, A.C. 1st Lt. B Graves, R.H. S/Sgt. R Hildebrand, R.O. T/Sgt. E DiMarco, F.J. T/Sgt. RW Watkins, M.F. S/Sgt. LW Cheshire, W.T. Sgt. TG Buckley, C.A. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 272 |
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P Kelly, J.B. 2nd Lt. CP Vaughan, D. F/O N Coleman, A.D. 2nd Lt. B D'Ambrosio, M.J. Cpl. R McElroy, V.E. Cpl. E Yost, D.A. Cpl. RW Zielke, W.P. Cpl. LW Poremba, S.J. Cpl. TG Reardon, D.J. Cpl. RCM Appel, N.S. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 340 |
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P Ross, J.E. 2nd Lt. CP Crane, F.D. 2nd Lt. N Richner, G.C. F/O B Hester, T.G. S/Sgt. R Agnew, T.G. S/Sgt. E Albright, H.B. S/Sgt. RW Brooks, V.B. S/Sgt. LW Blackburn, W.F. S/Sgt. TG Arnold, E.R. S/Sgt. RCM Simpson, V.H. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 118 Y+ |
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P Scott, D.A. 2nd Lt. CP Jordan, E.B. 2nd Lt. N Tucker, R.A. 2nd Lt. B Glasscock, J.B. S/Sgt. R Berger, S. T/Sgt. E Karas, J. T/Sgt. RW Hanley, E.H. S/Sgt. LW Jordan, V.A. 2nd Lt. TG McKee, S.P. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 448 |
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P Majesky, A.E. 2nd Lt. CP Wanner, G.L. 2nd Lt. N Vought, E.I. F/O B Zuckert, J.S. 2nd Lt. R Ivey, M.A. S/Sgt. E Patton, F.M. S/Sgt. RW Esenwein, E.R. Sgt. LW Harrow, K.J. S/Sgt. TG Martin, J.F. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 898 |
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P Myers, C.E. 2nd Lt. CP Anderson, K.W. 2nd Lt. N Warntz, W. F/O B Zgurich, E.E. 2nd Lt. R Jaklinski, B. Sgt. E Payton, J.B. S/Sgt. RW Thornton, A.H. S/Sgt. LW Gillette, R.E. Sgt. TG Kirk, G.A. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 697 |
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P Osojnicki, E.S. 2nd Lt. CP Schoellerman, M.L. 2nd Lt. N Ashen, G.T. 2nd Lt. B Thompson, W.H. Jr. Sgt. R Reidy, H.J. Sgt. E Sacher, P. Cpl. RW Ortega, J. Jr. Sgt. LW Weatherbie, L.K. Sgt. TG McCormick, D.E. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 390 |
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P Prater, W.K. 2nd Lt. CP Levin, R.J. 2nd Lt. N Pilcher, W.L. 2nd Lt. B Venuti, L.C. Sgt. R Killian, C.J. Sgt. E Lawrence, L.J. Sgt. RW Kegler, S.D. Sgt. LW Healey, J. Sgt. TG Deshantz, D. Sgt. S-27 Krohn, O.G. T/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 792 |
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P Dodson, G.H. 2nd Lt. CP LeFevre, L.P. 2nd Lt. N Fletcher, W.J. 2nd Lt. B Hochard, H.H. Sgt. R Green, J.M. S/Sgt. E Herrera, D.R. S/Sgt. RW Allendorf, V.G. Sgt. LW Peterson, F.H. Sgt. TG Jenkins, C.E. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 901 |
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P Jackson, C.J. 1st Lt. CP Parrish, C.E. 2nd Lt. N Pillsbury, A.A. 2nd Lt. B Wolfe, P.G. S/Sgt. R Paren, J.H. S/Sgt. E Jenkins, J.H. Sgt. RW Korb, L.J. S/Sgt. LW Webb, J.H. S/Sgt. TG Roe, W.L. Sgt. RCM Cauchon, L.V. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 313 |
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P Bell, W.M. 1st Lt. CP Pope, C.H. 1st Lt. N Cole, R.W. 1st Lt. NT Bross, J.H. S/Sgt. R Louizides, S. T/Sgt. E Morse, J.H. T/Sgt. RW Case, R.F. S/Sgt. LW Onstot, P.O. S/Sgt. TG Divers, C.B. S/Sgt. RCM Hill, T.J. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 241 |
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P Walker, J.R. 1st Lt. CP Casstevens, R.C. 2nd Lt. N Donohue, J.J. 1st Lt. B Pataki, S.M. S/Sgt. R Brown, J.C. T/Sgt. E Thomas, C.B. T/Sgt. RW Faucette, E.W. S/Sgt. LW Huff, R.H. S/Sgt. TG Duerr, E.E. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 495 |
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P Byrne, C.E. 1st Lt. CP Schmitt, F.J. 2nd Lt. N Bunting, J. S/Sgt. B Heilman, R.C. S/Sgt. R Trapp, M.W. T/Sgt. E Bennett, L.F. T/Sgt. RW Libby, J.E. S/Sgt. LW Wagner, F.E. S/Sgt. TG Alper, M.A. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 250 |
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P Vickers, R.E. 2nd Lt. CP Schwarzer, D.E. 2nd Lt. N Roberts, K.E. 2nd Lt. B Henthorn, W.N. Sgt. R Costanzo, N.T. S/Sgt. E Krutys, E.V. S/Sgt. RW Damuth, T.A. Sgt. LW Nock, W.H.E. Jr. Sgt. TG Leinweber, R.L. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 205 |
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P Vaden, J.C. 2nd Lt. CP Tichenor, N.K. 2nd Lt. N Vrable, E.G. 2nd Lt. B Sieg, R.J. 2nd Lt. R Crockett, J.G. Cpl. E Perry, C.E.O. Cpl. RW Wojtowicz, C.T. Sgt. LW Beaton, S.O. Sgt. TG Smith, C.W. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 511 |
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P Ebersole, H.R. 2nd Lt. CP Culp, A.B. 2nd Lt. N Sauter, J.C. 2nd Lt. B Greene, H.B. Sgt. R Chew, W.B. Sgt. E Gabris, J.M. Sgt. RW Flint, D.W. Sgt. LW McDonald, C.L. Sgt. TG Lynch, H.F. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 436 |
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P Tays, R.H. 1st Lt. CP Ferguson, T.B. 2nd Lt. N Holzinger, J.J. 1st Lt. B Sorensen, A.C. 1st Lt. R Berger, J.T. Sgt. E King, C.C. T/Sgt. RW Coury, G.A. S/Sgt. LW Turner, M.E. S/Sgt. TG Fetterhoff, E.E. S/Sgt. PN Hartman, H.R. 1st Lt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 477 |
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P Rose, P.E. 1st Lt. CP Pratt, D.M. 1st Lt. N Rohde, C.R. 1st Lt. B Harnden, R.G. 1st Lt. R Croy, O.N. T/Sgt. E Scott, W.A. T/Sgt. RW Manelick, N.L. S/Sgt. LW Davidson, S.A. S/Sgt. TG Beane, H.E. S/Sgt. RCM Malone, H.Q. Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 636 |
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P Garcia, A.R. 2nd Lt. CP Pollack, M. 2nd Lt. N Hoffman, W.A. F/O B Westlund, J.K. S/Sgt. R Nelson, D.A. S/Sgt. E Landes, I.B. S/Sgt. RW Pennington, M.E. S/Sgt. LW Merda, A.J. S/Sgt. TG Rauscher, J.G. S/Sgt. |
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14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 788 |
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P Barnes, W.B. 1st Lt. CP Perry, R. Jr.1st Lt. N Dieruff, R.C. 1st Lt. B Edmond, R.E. 1st Lt. R Benson, L.R. T/Sgt. E Wilson, W.W. T/Sgt. RW McGuire, E.P. S/Sgt. LW Braman, J.L.. S/Sgt. TG Harvell, J.E. S/Sgt. MV Kopecky, R.H. 2nd Lt. PN Czyzewicz, C.H. 2nd Lt. |
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14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 128 |
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CA Hunsaker, B.W. Capt. P Caldwell, R.R. Capt. CP Connor, J.A. Jr. 1st Lt. N Thornburgh, J.W. 1st Lt. B Cetin, W.F. Capt. R Westerfield, M.M. T/Sgt. E Munden, F.R. T/Sgt. RW Maher, T.O. S/Sgt. LW Conn, J.G. S/Sgt. TG Bennett, D.F. S/Sgt. PN Walters, J.E. 1st Lt. NV Edmundson, R.H. 1st Lt. |
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14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 899 |
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P Eggleston, J.W. Capt. CP Peters, M.J. 1st Lt. N Zamor, R.J. 1st Lt. B Hickok, H.E. 1st Lt. R Nika, L.E. T/Sgt. E Smith, J.W. T/Sgt. RW Mitchell, R.L. S/Sgt. LW Murray, J.J. S/Sgt. TG Mortimer, D.E. S/Sgt. PN Wilfahrt, D.W. 1st Lt. NV Adelstein, R.L. 1st Lt. |
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14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 519 |
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P Kerr, D.R. 1st Lt. CP Fabiani, H.L. 2nd Lt. N Boettcher, R.E. 1st Lt. B Copple, R.N. 2nd Lt. R Abraham, L.J. T/Sgt. E Chelenyak, J.A. T/Sgt. RW Johnson, E.W. S/Sgt. LW Richardson, W.C. S/Sgt TG Harmon, G.E. Sgt. NN Mintz, H.B. 2nd Lt. MV Slagle, R.G. 2nd Lt. |
