458TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)

HISTORY

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

Our first mission of February was on the 3rd when we were assigned as a target, our old friend, the ROTHENSEE OIL REFINERY at MAGDEBURG.  Although this target had been attacked many times, it was still believed to be operating at about 75% normal capacity, and it was up to us to decrease this output of the very much needed fuel going to the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe.  Maximum effort was called for, and we answered by putting 41 A/C in the air under the leadership of MAJOR BETZOLD and LTS. BLUM [left], BOWERS, ELLIS, and EISERT.  Plans called for an attack on this target by visual methods only, but while on the bomb run 6-8/10ths cloud prevailed and it did not look like a visual run could be made so the code word was changed to an attack by visual means with an H2X assist.  Twenty-one A/C dropped on the primary with unobserved results due to cloud coverage.  Eighteen others attacked a Target of Opportunity at WESERMUNDE by H2X methods with unobserved results.  One A/C attacked VECHTA A/F, whilst another attacked OSTER KAPIN with crews reporting hits in center of town, however, no photo coverage was obtained.  Total bombs dropped on these targets 374×500 GP’s and 3×2000 GP’s, and another mission was added putting us up to 187 with 13 to go for the 200.

We were not again airborne until the 6th, when once again we were back at MAGDEBURG (some pilots claim that we have been to this unfortunate city so many times, that they could fly to it blindfolded) only this time it was to be the M/Y instead of the oil refinery.  Once again we had to resort to instrument bombing due to the existing cloud cover.  The group, leading “B” wing of the Division, put 36 A/C over the target under the leadership of LT COL WILLIAMSON, CAPT BLUM and LTS. CHIMPLES and ANDERSON.

Again on the 14th we had to pass up bombing our assigned primary, the OIL REFINERY (ROTHENSEE) at MAGDEBURG, and instead drop on the secondary, the MAGDEBURG M/Y.  Our formation of 28 A/C were led over the target by MAJOR SPEER and CAPTS BLACK and BRECKENRIDGE dropping 111×1000 GP’s plus 50 M-17 IB’s with unobserved results due to the 10/10ths cloud coverage.

Still after MAGDEBURG/ROTHENSEE due to the fact that, although being bombed a number of times, it was still #3 on the priority list and was still capable of producing 10,000 metric tons a month which amounted to 50% of its original output before being bombed.  So, on the 15th we were once again over Germany, placing 36 A/C led by MAJORS BREEDING, RUE, PHILLIP and CAPT QUINN over the OIL REFINERY and dropping 409×500 GP’s with the following results:  SAV’s obscured by cloud.  Crews feel the run was good, but may have dropped a little over.  It was reported that after leaving the target area, black smoke was seen billowing up into clouds at about 10,000 feet, and we can readily guess what that means.  Only eight more to go.

Emphasis seemed to be placed on the Hun’s transportation, as it can be readily seen that the targets so far attacked this month, M/Y’s, were in the majority.  And this continued true as on the 16th we were assigned the M/Y at OSNABRUCK which photo recon showed to be exceptionally active, therefore meriting a visit.  MAJOR BOOTH, CAPT BRECKENRIDGE and LT MORAN led our three squadrons and placed 26 A/C over the target, dropping 317×500 GP’s with the aid of GH equipment.  It was brought out at the critique that this was one of the best GH bomb runs ever made.  After analyzing the SAV’s, our P.I. Officer stated that the first section’s bombs scattered between 1000 and 3000 feet south and east of the MPI, whilst the second section’s bombs fell 14,000 feet northwest of the MPI.  It was determined that the second squadron dropped 20-30 seconds early due to a malfunction that may have been caused by the invertors coming back in suddenly.

After two days of poor weather, we were again airborne on the 19th with an attack on a FOUNDRY and CASTING PLANT at MESCHEDE, which produces in great quantity castings for Jet propelled A/C.  Again we had to resort to GH bombing, and the 29 A/C of our formation dropped 165×500 Mark 12’s and 156 M-17 IB’s with unobserved results.  Credit for leads this day went to LT COL WILLIAMSON, CAPTS BRECKENRIDGE and BLACK.  Six more to go!

In those far-away days known as peacetime, the city of NUREMBURG was noted for the manufacture of children’s toys, and also for its marvelous Gothic architecture, but when the Nazis came into power this once peaceful city became the seat of Nazism.  Here the great Party gatherings were held in the tremendous stadium and here fostered the creed of the Nazi Party.  But now, Nuremburg, instead of producing toys, was manufacturing tanks and other implements of war.  So on 21 February, we paid a visit to this important target and were assigned as our MPI the MAIN RR STATION which was reported to be jammed with rolling stock ready for shipment to the front.  A total of 352×500 GP’s were dropped by our formation of 37 A/C led by LT COL O’NEILL, MAJORS RUE and PHILLIP and LT WILLIAMS.  Once again we had to resort to H2X bombing and results were unobserved.  However, our H2X operators all agreed that they had a good run and were positive of being over the target.  We feel sure of good results this day as up until the end of the month there has been no request by the VIII AF for a repeat call on this Nazi incubator.

And now we come in on the home stretch and starting on the 22nd we ran a mission each day for the following 12 days.  In a maximum effort against the Hun’s RR facilities, the VIII AF, in conjunction with the RAF, was out in full scale.  Our efforts called for a two-prong attack on two M/Y, namely, PEINE and HILDESHEIM near HANOVER.  We dispatched 38 A/C under the leadership of MAJORS BREEDING, BOOTH and LTS POLLIARD and CHIMPLES, but our total A/C attacking was 34.  Our results this day might be classified as fair, as our P.I. Officer rates our bombing as follows: 16 A/C, PEINE M/Y visual.  Crews report good hits in M/Y and adjacent factory buildings.  SAV show two patterns 2500 feet south and 7500 feet SE of MPI with some hits on factory area and rail line E of MPI.  18 A/C HILDESHEIM M/Y, visual, crews from one squadron report hitting short in woods while those from the second report good pattern in M/Y with large fires.  SAV show patterns 4-1/2 miles short of MPI in forest area, and 6000 feet south in small M/Y on eastern side of HILDESHEIM.  Only four more to go!

[Left out of this narrative is the loss of two A/C and crews, the 754th Squadron’s 2Lt William A Duke and the 752nd Squadron’s 2Lt Joseph E Szarko]

An intelligence annex was received from the VIII AF reporting the efforts of the previous day to be excellent and again assigning all groups the task of eliminating the remaining M/Y’s.  Our target was the M/Y at SAALFELD, but the leader of the Wing did not announce the decision as to target and method of bombing until well past the I.P.  Finally, word was received to attack a last resort by H2X, so 19 A/C attacked the M/Y at GERA by H2X with unobserved results due to 10/10ths coverage, and the remaining 9 A/C attacked the M/Y at REICHENBACH under the same conditions.  We had an unfortunate mid-air collision as our formation was over the field preparing to land.  It was determined that the formation was in haze and cloud at 17,000 feet and making their first 10 minute turn over the Buncher.  So far as eye witnesses could see, A/C 449-W flown by LT R. J. BECHTEL (753rd Sq.) slid into A/C 598-R flown by LT D. HUNT of the 754th Sq. knocking off the left stabilizer.  A/C 449-W lost a wing and both disappeared into the undercast immediately.  All personnel of A/C 449 were killed, while only three men of A/C 598-R survived.  (See KIA section for names, etc.)

Our old friend BIELEFELD M/Y was to receive a visit from the 458th on 24 February.  The formation, led by LT COL HOGG, CAPTS BLACK and BRECKENRIDGE, led the Wing on this mission dropping 298×500 GP’s with the following results: 25 A/C attacked BIELEFELD, tertiary target by H2X with a visual assist.  Cloud coverage prevented accurate observations but most crews believed numerous hits were made in center of town.  One A/C attacked LASTRUS (5247-0752) opportunity target by visual method, results unknown.  One A/C attacked BAD ESSEN, opportunity target by visual method, results unknown.  Photo coverage reveals bursts 800 feet south of MPI and a pattern from MPI to the east thereof.  Clouds limited accurate coverage, but believe results to be fair.  Two more to go!

At last on 25 February we were favored with some fine weather and were able to bomb visually and see the results of our efforts.  The A/F, SWABISCH-HALL engaged in major training and refitting as well as assembly of JET A/C was to be our victim of the day.  MAJOR RUE, CAPTS WILLIAMS and GOODFRIEND led our 27 A/C over and all 27 bombed the target visually dropping 258×500 IB’s with very good results.  On the bomb run a GH run was started.  The middle third of the bomb run was covered with clouds.  However, the target area was picked up visually when 14 miles out and the GH Operator turned the A/C over to the Bombardier.  The MPI was sighted from about 8 miles away.  All three squadrons had good runs.  A good job done and something to be proud of.