TARGET: MARSHALLING YARDS

MUNSTER, GERMANY

11 MARCH, 1944

Twenty aircraft bombed military targets and the marshalling yards at Munster. The 457th comprised the high box of the 94th Combat Wing. Captain Leroy Watson was Air Commander. Bombing was done by PFF at an altitude of 24,000 due to the heavy 10/10 undercast, and results were not observed.

No enemy fighter opposition was encountered, due to the fighter escort provided. However, intense but inaccurate flak was encountered over the target area. Relatively light damage was inflicted and all aircraft returned safely to the Base.

All silver ships were used for the first time. As a diversion from seeing B-I 7s, the first B-29 ever to land at Glatton arrived on 11 March. Personnel of the Group were permitted to inspect it before its departure. Reportedly the craft, then designated as a YB-29, had been attached to the Eighth in an attempt to deceive German intelligence into believing the 8-29 was to become the replacement craft in the E.T.O.

Target was completely obscured, P.F.F. job. Over target lead ship put in a terrible correction and dropped bombs. Heavy FLAK over target.

Duration of mission about 5 hours and 55 minutes / 6 hours and 5 minutes

From the diary of 2^nd Lt. John O. Millham, navigator 749^th BS:

Munster     6 hrs  5 min.

Marshalling Yards        Ship 067

Our old ship 464 was given to Denethorpe and we flew 067 for the first time. It was a beautiful new silver ship. The target was completely obscured so it was a P.F.F. job. Just as we were over target lead ship put in a terrible correction. James E. Thomas didn’t expect them to drop bombs immediately. He looked away to check bomb controls. I saw lead ship drop bombs and had to beat Thomas on head to tell him to release bombs. Heavy FLAK over target but none of it got us.