On this date, the Eighth Air Force mounted the heaviest raid of World War II against the Third Reich's capital, sending over 1,300 heavies to attack strategic targets in and around the city. According to the 2nd Air Division's Intelligence Annex, "Entire Eighth Air Force is attacking [Berlin]. At this time Germans are reporting effective offensive measures by the Russians directly east of city, (although this is not confirmed by our allies), and general effect of a large scale bombing will be another disruption of normal facilities. 1st and 3rd Air Divisions are attacking communication centers and 2AD targets are armament and heavy ordnance."
The 392nd's target was the Tegel Steel mill, located in the northwestern section of "Big B", as it came to be called by the crews who had to go there. The last of their 31 Libs took off at 0910 hours. Cloud cover in the target area was heavily broken with undercast conditions. The planes dropped 143 1,000-pounders on the target. As a result of contrails, two squadrons of the Group had to make an H2X run on the primary with poor results. Fortunately, at the last minute on the bomb run, the 578th managed to sight the target visually and hit it with pin-point accuracy. This squadron had 97 percent of its bombs impacting within 1000 feet of the MPI giving the Group as a whole 43 percent of all releases within a 2000 foot radius of the aiming point.
Though fighters were not sighted, AA fire as usual over this heavily defended target was intense and extremely accurate. Considerable aircraft battle damage was suffered from flak, eight bombers, mostly from the 578th, being hit. Typical of this squadron's aircraft damage was that inflicted on ship #44-50493 (C-Bar, nicknamed "Dugan") flown by 2/Lt Vickers' crew. The bomber came home with extensive damage to three props chewed up by shrapnel, a gaping slice cut through the leading edge of the left wing between #1 and #2 engines, holes in the waist section and the de-icer boot shot off of the left vertical stabilizer. Most fortunately, not a single crewmember from the entire Group force was injured during this mission in view of the intensive enemy reaction. All bombers returned safely, some bedraggled, with the last landing at Wendling at 1606 hours.
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18 Mar 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. S/Sgt. R Kerfoot, D.A. Sgt. E Lewis, A.J. S/Sgt. RW Gill, J.B. S/Sgt. LW Kouzes, G. S/Sgt. TG Dippel, W.L. S/Sgt. RCM Hill, T.J. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 340 |
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P Smith, W.E. 2nd Lt. CP Malmborg, F.L. 2nd Lt. N Vealey, S.L. F/O B Linderman, W.T. S/Sgt. R Kroll, M.E. S/Sgt. E Lyon, H.H. S/Sgt. RW Devish, M.G. S/Sgt. LW Werner, W.T. Sgt. TG Farley, R.L. Pfc. RCM Malone, H.Q. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 589 |
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P DePalma, F.T. 1st Lt. CP Austin, G.E. 1st Lt. N Oppenheim, R. 2nd Lt. B Margarones, J.J. 2nd Lt. R Corbosiero, J.L. T/Sgt. E Betterini, A. T/Sgt. RW Bryan, C.F. S/Sgt. LW Mowery, H.J. S/Sgt. TG Ferdinando, A.P. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 545 |
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P Sincock, W.R. 1st Lt. CP Johnston, N.F. 1st Lt. N Hampton, W.A. F/O 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. PN Duffy, F.J 1st Lt. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 650 |
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P Earl, P.R. 2nd Lt. CP Smiley, W.R. 2nd Lt. N Perkins, R.W. 2nd Lt. B Marchetta, A. S/Sgt. R Irish, E.W. T/Sgt. E Woods, R.E. T/Sgt. RW Keith, D.N. Cpl. LW Schafer, J.G. S/Sgt. TG Cosentino, C. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 409 |
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P Markuson, C.O. 1st 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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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 709 |
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P Rohe, J.M. 1st Lt. CP Blanton, G.L. 2nd Lt. N Hamilton, P.L. 2nd Lt. B Malley, J.P. S/Sgt. R Nalette, T.A. S/Sgt. E Taylor, B.D. T/Sgt. RW Pasco, W.J. S/Sgt. LW Hensler, L.P. S/Sgt. TG Tingle, J.B. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 357 |
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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 Woerth, J.B. S/Sgt. LW Marshall, L.C. S/Sgt. TG Rosenberg, J.E. S/Sgt. RCM Robinson, L.D. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 770 |
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P Frazier, L.J. 2nd Lt. CP Linder, E.P. F/O N Robinson, R.L. 2nd Lt. B Hazard, A.R. 2nd Lt. R Latour, H.E. Cpl. E McGrath, L.R. Cpl. RW Leach, R.H. Cpl. LW Penders, D.P. Cpl. TG Rohde, R.E. Cpl. |
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18 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 792 |
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P Jordan, T.J. 1st Lt. CP Fastabend, J.B. 1st Lt. N Sprosty, A.O. 1st Lt. B Eldridge, H.N. Capt. R Brown, L.E. T/Sgt. E Kinzler, S.J. S/Sgt. RW Davis, T.N. S/Sgt. LW Meister, R.H. S/Sgt. TG Kwiatowski, L.P. S/Sgt. RCM Faust, L.E. 2nd Lt. |
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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 118 |
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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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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 901 |
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P Clower, W.J. 1st Lt. CP Reel, H.D. 2nd Lt. N Williams, R.B. 2nd Lt. B Letourneau, D.R. S/Sgt. 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. RCM Simpson, V.H. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 238 |
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P Eyles, E.E. 2nd Lt. CP Foley, R.T. F/O N Augustensen, H.R. F/O B Stutzman, R.J. Sgt. R Barrett, W.R. Sgt. E Mattera, A.P. Sgt. RW Shrum, T.H. Sgt. LW Carpenger, B.E. Sgt. TG Wengress, C.P. Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 118 |
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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. S/Sgt. E Thompson, R.H. T/Sgt. RW Cobb, C.E. Jr. Sgt. LW Girulat, R.M. Sgt. TG Larmee, W.H. Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 040 |
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P Harding, W.A. 1st Lt. CP Morrow, E.T. 2nd Lt. N Parrish, J.D. 2nd Lt. B Fisher, J.G. Sgt. R Dollar, W.H. Sgt. E Butler, C.E. Sgt. RW Silliman, E. Sgt. LW Smith, R.L. Jr. Sgt. TG Neumann, H.J. Sgt. RCM Taylor, J.L. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 390 |
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P Weed, O.F. 2nd Lt. CP Healy, B.P. Jr. 2nd Lt. N Trask, W.V. 2nd Lt. B Erfurth, R.L. Sgt. R Yoak, E.B. Sgt. E Herrera, D.R. Sgt. RW Higgins, R.S. Sgt. LW Laird, J.L. Sgt. TG Kolodziejski, J.J. Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 898 |
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P Osojnicki, E.S. 2nd Lt. CP Schoellerman, M.L. 2nd Lt. N Flugel, R.R. F/O B Thompson, W.H. Sgt. R Reidy, H.J. Sgt. E Sacher, P. Cpl. RW Ortega, J. Jr. Sgt. LW Weatherbie, L.K. Sgt. TG McCormick, F.G. Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 697 |
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P Barker, W.R. 2nd Lt. CP Churchwell, W.F. F/O N Green, M.L. F/O B Fleming, F.E. 1st Lt. R Coury, L.J. Sgt. E Milstead, W.R. Sgt. RW Morris, G.W. Sgt. LW Ratliffe, Q.R. Sgt. TG Althen, E. Sgt |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 240 |
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P Ansbro, M.J. 2nd Lt. CP Wernsman, J.B. 2nd Lt. N Christman, H.E. F/O B Andrews, Q.Q. S/Sgt. R O'Brien, B.M. S/Sgt. E Brierley, A.R. S/Sgt. RW Nichols, P.F. Sgt. LW Kurkomelis, G.C. S/Sgt. TG McLaughlin, M.M. Sgt. RCM Kieffer, R.W. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 446 |
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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. S-27 Belsky, M. T/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 568 |
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P Tokarsky, A. 2nd Lt. CP Moore, M.R. F/O N King, F.S. F/O B Ross, W. S/Sgt. R Vivero, D.L. S/Sgt. E Dowling, R.L. S/Sgt. RW Granzow, L.J. S/Sgt. LW Ridge, B.E. S/Sgt. TG Weissbeck, E.A. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 205 |
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P Byrne, C.E. 1st Lt. CP Schmitt, F.J. 1st 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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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 249 |
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P Mayer, E.H. 1st Lt. CP Fligge, S.G. 1st Lt. N Burros, R.S. 2nd Lt. B Crosby, P.E. 1st 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. |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 493 |
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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. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 477 |
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P Henning, J.C. 2nd Lt. CP Moser, F.E. F/O N Humiston, M.R. F/O B Regan, J.H. Sgt. R Wilkins, R.A. Sgt. E Regester, R.B. Sgt. RW Stockard, J.C. Sgt. LW McLaughlin, E.J. Sgt. TG Davis, G.L. Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 542 |
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P Adsit, B.D. 2nd Lt. CP Weber, M. F/O N Wedgeworth, Q.R. 2nd Lt. B Timmons, K.L. S/Sgt. R Close, H.R. S/Sgt. E McDonald, R.C. S/Sgt. RW Ritty, P.M. S/Sgt. LW Anderson, W.G. S/Sgt. TG Taylor, H.T. S/Sgt. |
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18 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 772 |
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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. S/Sgt. R Chew, W.B. S/Sgt. E Gabris, J.M. S/Sgt. RW McDonald, C.L. Pvt. LW Flint, D.W. S/Sgt. TG Lynch, H.F. Pvt. |
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18 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 670 |
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P Miller, R.L. 1st Lt. CP Creel, H.L. 2nd Lt. N Weissberger, M.L. 1st Lt. B Hickok, H.E. 1st Lt. R Tribbett, L.L. S/Sgt. E Reid, H.A. T/Sgt. RW Markle, J.M. S/Sgt. LW Grimm, R.H. S/Sgt. TG Wolfe, P.J. S/Sgt. NV Barry, W.T. 1st Lt. PN Baker, R.W. 1st Lt. |
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18 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 459 |
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P Teipel, H.N. 1st Lt. CP Karas, M. 2nd Lt. N Polansky, M.L. 2nd Lt. B Flory, D.L. 2nd Lt. R Goodson, E. T/Sgt. E Rabine, V.A. T/Sgt. RW Conrad, D.E. S/Sgt. LW Hodoian, J.C. S/Sgt. TG McConnell, H.M. S/Sgt. MN Vasconcellos, H.M. 1st Lt. PN Moss, J.R. 2nd Lt. |
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18 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 125 |
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CA Gilbert, L.G. Lt. Col. P Caldwell, R.R. Capt. CP Peters, M.J. 1st Lt. N Thornburgh, J.W. 1st Lt. B Weiland, H.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. Cpl. PN Walters, J.E. 1st Lt. NV Morris, J.E. Capt. |
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18 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 519 |
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CA Sather, H. Maj. P Wood, D.R. 2nd Lt. CP McCormick, J.J. 2nd 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. |
