TARGET: INDUSTRIAL AREA
CHEMNITZ, GERMANY
2 MARCH, 1945

Another milestone in the Group’s history was reached. The briefing officer commenced the briefing by observing, “Well, Men of the 457th, it’s here!”

The crews were well aware it was Mission No. 200. In addition to the usual briefing, the crews were briefed to come back to the field in formation. The low squadron was instructed to do a 360 degree turn and come in for a peel off. The Group Leader was to begin the peel off at the upwind end of the runway.
The primary target was the marshalling yards at Bohien. The Group comprised the 94th A Combat Wing with Captain Dozier as Air Commander. The Group assembled in Wing formation without difficulty.
Because of weather, Chemnitz, an important industrial city, was attacked. Bombs were dropped from 25,000 feet. Results were obscured by clouds.

Flak was light and no craft sustained damage. Upon return to the Base, the Group received an enthusiastic welcome. On hand were the Chief of Staff of the 1st Air Division General Bartlett Beaman, and the Commander of the 94th Combat Bombardment Wing, General Julius K. Lacey. The official press release in part, commented on the record of the 457th Group, and stated:
“The Fireball Group sel up a distinguished record by leading the Eighth Air Force in bombing results during the last five months of 1944.”

The release pointed out the Group had participated in many notable assaults on the Nazi war machine, including the Gdynia mission, the invasion assault on D-Day, and as an example of the high degree of accuracy in high altitude bombing achieved by the Group, cited the destruction on 13 January, of the Maximiliansau Bridge on the Rhine River. Emphasis was placed on the splendid teamwork and efforts of the ground and combat crews, and noted that the 457th Bombardment Group was a highly efficient and smooth running organization.