Once again, strikes were scheduled against enemy transportation networks in efforts to disrupt troop re-supply and reinforcements from inland Germany. This date saw the marshalling yards in this town just east of Bonn assigned for attack. General briefings for 28 crews were given at 0715 and 0830 hours with all commencing take-offs at 1045. A force of 27 went over the target bombing through clouds by GH methods and releasing a load of 530 250-, 300-, and 500-pound GP and IB weapons in the target area. Results could not be evaluated accurately again because of weather.
Friendly fighter coverage was good and, what now had been a decidedly accepted fact, the German Air Force was no longer capable of mounting any sustained interception of invading bombing forces as proven by this and the many missions preceding it. Though enemy fighter production was known to have risen in the closing months of the war, the tactical employment of the forces had been critically hampered by fuel shortages, denial of operating bases and to a significant degree (which was later confirmed after the war), high command level decisions which negated the flexibility of fighter forces employment. This was particularly true of the new jet-propelled ME-262 which was assigned a bomber role. (Author's note: After the war, the famous Luftwaffe fighter-pilot General, Adolph Galland, one time protégé of Reichsmarshall Goering, wrote the book, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, which affords an interesting insight to the closing days of the air war over Germany and the ME-262's employment.) The last mission flown in February ended with all crews landing safely back at base around 1756 hours.
General Kepner, commander of the 2nd Air Division, sent this teletype to his units early on the morning of 28 February:
"This is the greatest 2 weeks for the 8 AF in the air war against Germany. The 8 AF Hus operated on every day since the 14 February 1945 except for one day. Over 1000 heavy bombers have been dispatched every day the last two weeks except for the one day when the mission for that one day was cancelled.
The RAF dispatched a force of Mosquitoes against Berlin on the night 26 February 1945 following the great 8 AF raid on Berlin. The RAF crews reported 10/10 low cloud along the route up to within 10 miles of Berlin. The low cloud had been burned off by heat from the large fires in the city. The RAF crews also reported they did not need their PFF crews or target indicators to mark their targets because they were able to make visual sightings due to targets being illuminated by the fires started by the 8 AF."
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 659 |
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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 Lewis, A.J. Sgt. RW Gill, J.B. Sgt. LW Kouzes, G. Sgt. TG Dippel, W.L. Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 502 |
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P Blakeley, W.G. 2nd Lt. CP Schoelerman, H.A. 2nd Lt. N Walker, C.S. 2nd Lt. B Dodge, H.F. Sgt. R Spades, R.J. Sgt. E Amodeo, F.A. Pvt. RW Talley, E.R. Sgt. LW Hamment, R.E. Sgt. TG Law J.L. Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 409 |
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P Raczko, W. 2nd Lt. CP McGill, C.L. 2nd Lt. N Cline, A.P. F/O B Holland, J.R. S/Sgt. R VanDeven, J.K. S/Sgt. E Reynolds, J.R. S/Sgt. RW Parker, R.J. S/Sgt. LW Flesey, R.J. S/Sgt. TG Adkins, J.E. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 194 |
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P Dugger, F.R. 1st Lt. CP Perkins, G.A. 2nd Lt. N Judd, G.G. 1st Lt. B McInvale, A.L. S/Sgt. R Chenail, G.E. T/Sgt. E Jones, J.R. T/Sgt. RW Coffman, J.G. S/Sgt. LW McAtee, J.R. S/Sgt. TG Rubenstein, S.J. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 709 |
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P Yasi, R.L. 2nd Lt. CP Blanton, G.L. 2nd Lt. N Hamilton, P.L. 2nd Lt. B Pasco, W.J. S/Sgt. R Nalette, T.A. S/Sgt. E Taylor, B.D. T/Sgt. RW Merchant, W.D. S/Sgt. LW Hensler, L.P. S/Sgt. TG Tingle, J.B. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 476 |
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P Harcus, R.W. 2nd Lt. CP Thompson, J.R. 2nd Lt. N Adler, M.N. 2nd Lt. B Brennan, R.W. S/Sgt. R Shanley, J.V. T/Sgt. E Thomas, E. T/Sgt. RW McNeill, C.E. S/Sgt. LW Marshall, L.C. S/Sgt. TG Rosenberg, J.E. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 299 |
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P Kelly, J.B. 1st 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. |
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28 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 357 |
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P Smith, W.E. 2nd Lt. CP Malmborg, F.L. 2nd Lt. N Purvis, C.G. 2nd Lt. B Linderman, W.T. Sgt. R Kroll, M.E. Sgt. E Lyon, H.H. Sgt. RW Devish, M.G. Sgt. LW Werner, W.T. Sgt. TG Farley, R.L. Sgt. S-27 Frappier, H.A. T/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 445 (no mission credit) |
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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. Sgt. R Reidy, H.J. Sgt. E Sacher, P. Cpl. RW Ortega, J. Sgt. LW Weatherbie, L.K. Sgt. TG McCormick, F.G. Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 390 |
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CA Williamson, D.R. 1st Lt. P Weed, O.F. 2nd Lt. CP Healy, B.P. 2nd Lt. N Trask, W.V. 2nd Lt. B Erfurth, R.L. Sgt. R Yoak, E.B. Sgt. E Gorman, E.J. Sgt. RW Higgins, R.S. Sgt. LW Laird, J.L. Sgt. TG Kolodziejski, J.J. Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 697 |
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P Jordan, E.B. 2nd Lt. CP Garrett, A.W. 2nd Lt. N Mercer, E.A. 2nd Lt. B Lehr, E.L. Sgt. R Leahy, W.E. Sgt. E Thompson, R.H. T/Sgt. RW Cobb, C.E. Sgt. LW Girulat, R.M. Sgt. TG Larmee, W.H. Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 079 |
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P Popek, E. 2nd Lt. CP Henry, H.E. 2nd Lt. N Frederickson, L.T. 2nd Lt. B Irvine, E.C. S/Sgt. R Yuhas, G. T/Sgt. E Bombardier, W.J. T/Sgt. RW Trofnoff, F. S/Sgt. LW Thompson, J.R. S/Sgt. TG Swee, F.A. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 792 |
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P Inman, C.E. 1st Lt. CP Ondrasek, J.G. 2nd Lt. N Lange, E.A. 2nd Lt. B Rees, R.R. 2nd Lt. R Flake, R.M. Jr. T/Sgt. E Kamholz, E.J. T/Sgt. RW Finkelstein, B. S/Sgt. LW Evans, H.D. S/Sgt. TG Gafin, B. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 507 |
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P Clower, W.J. 1st Lt. CP Reel, H.D. 2nd Lt. N Williams, R.B. 2nd Lt. B Fleming, F.E. 1st Lt.. R Stroh, J.E. T/Sgt. E Tomaszewski, E.A. T/Sgt. RW Schumacher, A.H. S/Sgt. LW Galvin, G.M. S/Sgt. TG Hendrickson, R.H. S/Sgt. B Eldridge, H.N. Capt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 901 |
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P Prater, W.K. 2nd Lt. CP Levin, R.J. 2nd Lt. N Pilcher, W.L. 2nd Lt. NG 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. RCM Cauchon, L.V. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 916 |
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P Gates, H.W. 2nd Lt. CP Day, J.G. 2nd Lt. N Siwy, W.J. 2nd Lt. B Harrison, W.F. Sgt. R Frigo, H.M. Sgt. E Baker, R.E. Sgt. RW Talcott, W.J. Sgt. LW Lamkin, R.B. Sgt. TG Ryan, W.M. Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 436 |
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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. S/Sgt. R Costanzo, N.T. S/Sgt. E Krutys, E.V. T/Sgt. RW Nock, W.H.E. Jr. S/Sgt. LW Damuth, T.A. S/Sgt. TG Leinweber, R.L. Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 804 |
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P Mayer, E.H. 1st Lt. CP Fligge, S.G. 2nd Lt. N Burros, R.S. 2nd Lt. B Crosby, P.E. 2nd Lt. R Hatfield, H.C. T/Sgt. E Fickel, S.A. T/Sgt. RW Gibson, C.P. S/Sgt. LW Robinson, M.M. S/Sgt. TG Fulton, C.E. S/Sgt. RCM Williams, O.L. T/Sgt. S-27 Steffen, N.W. T/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 249 |
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P Downs, H.E. 2nd Lt. CP Bickham, T.E. 2nd Lt. N McKay, R.P. 1st Lt. B Oakes, H.W. 2nd Lt. R Spicketts, J.G. S/Sgt. E Lim, D.P. S/Sgt. RW Crane, T.P. S/Sgt. LW Cinquina, E.A. S/Sgt. TG Weatherman, H.W. S/Sgt. NG Neetz, R.E. F/O |
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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 446 |
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P Fox, J.E. 1st Lt. CP Sampley, T.A. 2nd Lt. N Johnson, M.S. 1st Lt. B Robinson, D.T. 1st Lt. R Tameling, H. T/Sgt. E Smith, B.F. T/Sgt. RW Seever, B.H. S/Sgt. LW Coury, G.A. S/Sgt. TG Davis, C.L. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 495 |
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P Byrne, C.E. 1st Lt. CP Schmitt, F.J. 1st Lt. N Holzinger, J.J. 1st Lt. 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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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 313 |
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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. Sgt. E Perry, C.E.O. Sgt. RW Wojtowicz, C.T. Sgt. LW Beaton, S.O. Sgt. TG Smith, C.W. Sgt. RCM Harvie, W.M. T/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 511 |
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P Hoover, J.A. 2nd Lt. CP Douglass, G.E. 2nd Lt. N Fetter, G.R. F/O B Janak, E.G. S/Sgt. R Affinito, L.J. S/Sgt. E Marlowe, J.D. T/Sgt. RW Fitzgerald, T.R. S/Sgt. LW Gayda, F.M. S/Sgt. TG Jones, L.A. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 838 |
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P Warner, C.W. 2nd Lt. CP Smith, J.E. 2nd Lt. N Peppard, J.M. F/O B Kight, D.A. S/Sgt. R Hathaway, E.O. S/Sgt. E McGee, O.W. S/Sgt. RW Neel, L.E. S/Sgt. LW Brooks, E.J. S/Sgt. TG Richmond, T.C. S/Sgt. |
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28 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 385 |
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CA Gilbert, L.G. Lt. Col. P Clark, D.L. Capt. CP Jones, G.B. 1st Lt. N Delach, J.J. Capt. B McGarry, T.J. 1st Lt. R Howeth, G.W. T/Sgt. E Keba, J. T/Sgt. RW Kopperud, C.M. S/Sgt. LW Faust, K.E. S/Sgt. TG Tharp, R.N. S/Sgt. NV Conrad, J.B. 1st Lt. PN Nagler, H.F. F/O |
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28 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 308 |
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P Sincock, W.R. 1st Lt. CP Johnston, N.F. 1st Lt. N Balides, T. 1st Lt. B Williams, A.R. 1st Lt. R Ostrove, H. T/Sgt. E Swisher, W.O. T/Sgt. RW Domme, E.J. S/Sgt. LW Manshack, B.R. S/Sgt. TG Peth, P.J. S/Sgt. NV Milrod, M. 2nd Lt. PN Barger, G.W. 1st Lt. |
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28 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 899 |
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CA Pennypacker, J.E. Capt. P Beder, J. 1st Lt. CP Samsell, J.A. 1st Lt. N Matishowski, J. 1st Lt. B Murray, J.G. 1st Lt. R Murgatroyd, R.S. T/Sgt. E Morley, J.P. T/Sgt. RW Carr, R.P. S/Sgt. LW Roever, C.H. S/Sgt. TG Schodrof, R.H. S/Sgt. PN Shumaker, M.C. 2nd Lt. NV Kennedy, J.L. 1st Lt. |
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28 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 519 |
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P Wood, D.R. 1st Lt. CP Peters, M.J. 1st Lt. N Satterthwait, D.R. F/O B Segraves, W.D. 2nd Lt. R Fleischmann, R.F. S/Sgt. E Morgan, K.W. S/Sgt. RW McCormick, F.L.J. S/Sgt. LW Stuck, W.F. S/Sgt. TG Wright, A.P. S/Sgt. NV Tucker, W.L. 2nd Lt. PN Reynolds, D.W. 1st Lt. |
