458TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)

HISTORY

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

Keeping in step with the VIII AF plan of disrupting the Kraut’s supply and communication lines, we were once again dispatched to hit another M/Y on the 9th, namely MAINZ M/Y.  Nineteen of our A/C were over the target led by Major HENSON and Capt CLAGGETT [left], dropping 320×250 GP’s with the aid of PFF equipment with unobserved results.  Our A/C 342-S [Lt Paul W. Stoneburner] was seen going down very fast with #4 engine smoking north of TRIER, GERMANY.  (See MIA section for names, etc)

[Also lost to an accident on this date was the crew of Lt William R. Frederick]

Again on the 10th another blow at Schickelgruber’s transportation lines, this time the ULM M/Y.  The way we had been hitting these M/Y would seem to indicate that after this fracas is over that the Hun will [be] forced to use bicycles or shoe leather and here’s to hoping it will be Ersatz goods at that.  To go on with the serious side of the day, we placed 19 A/C over the target under the leadership of Capt SPEER and dropped 90×500 GP’s and 100×500 M17 incendiaries with the aid of PFF equipment with unobserved results.

Rumors began spreading that we were to become unoperational [sic] but before this event we completed another Sortie, namely 125 by attacking a SYNTHETIC OIL PLANT at MAGDEBURG, GERMANY.  We placed 25 A/C over the target under the leadership of Major HENSON, Capt’s CLAGGETT and WRIGHT.  Our bomb load dropped was 1190×100 GP’s, and bombing was accomplished by the aid of PFF equipment with unobserved results.  Our A/C 314, 752nd Sq. [Lt Thomas G. Horgan] was apparently hit by flak over KOBLENZ.  #1 engine was feathered and A/C dropped out of formation and down to 10,000.  Seven ‘chutes reported, one of which may not have opened. A/C continued flying below formation for 10-20 minutes under control and in no apparent trouble when last seen.  (See MIA section for names, etc)

And thus ended our combat status for the month of September.  From the 12th until the end of the month we were to fulfill a mission so vital to the success of the ground forces, namely: the ferrying of 80 octane gas to three A/F’s in France.  The importance, the additional work involved, the danger of the assignment cannot be over emphasized.

In addition to dispatching our own A/C we had to take care of A/C from the 389th Group.  Our personnel flew these A/C and our ground echelon were responsible for the maintenance of these additional A/C.

We will try to give a picture of “Truckin” operations as best we can.  In the beginning all A/C used in “Truckin” were equipped with 4 bomb bay platforms, and each A/C loaded with 218 five gallon cans.  Each A/C commander was responsible for loading and lashing of gas loads in his A/C.  It was figured to a fine point, that loading and unloading would take approximately four hours.  On the 18 September, the bomb bay platforms were discarded in place of bomb bay and fighter [drop] tanks.

Each A/C, when two bomb bay tanks were available, were loaded as follows: