467th Bombardment Group Research

8th AF Mission #935: 1173 bombers dispatched to a variety of targets including enemy airfields, marshalling yards and an oil storage depot. The 2AD sent 302 aircraft to target airfields, the 467th with the 96CBW were assigned to attack Unterschlauersbach airfield.

The 467th dispatched 29 ships in three squadrons, and assigned to fly high left of the 96CBW.

The lead crews departed Rackheath at 0735hours with a degree of undercast during the early part of the mission. By the time the Wing reached the IP conditions were clear and bombing was made visually at 1205hours from 20,000ft.

Capt Rothchild led the first squadron with Lt Scott Crew#090-R3 aboard 44-50325, deputy lead was Lt Dunnam Crew#083-R3 aboard 42-51671. Second squadron was led by Capt McCarthy with Lt Wheelock Crew#082-R4 aboard 42-51832 with the third squadron led by Lt Moseley Crew#089 aboard 44-48860.

28 ships were effective bombing visually with reports as very good with a concentrated pattern on one MPI and scattered pattern across the airfield between MPI's. The 790th Lt McFarland Crew#073 aboard "Witchcraft" 42-52534, bombed with the 93rd BG whose target was Ruth airfield. No anti-aircraft fire at the target with all aircraft returning to Rackheath with no loss or damage. Fighter support was good.

Additional comment: John Shirk, Bombardier, completed his 24th mission and recorded the following back at Rackheath.

24th Mission - Unterschlauersbach, Germany. Sunday April 8th 1945. Time 7hrs 5 mins. Target - airfield. Bomb-load 6 x 250lb GP = 1500lbs.

This was our second Group lead also it gave us another cluster to our air medal. We had an undercast going in but then it broke and we could contact the ground all the way in. Our IP was a co-ordinate but we made it good. We didn't see any flak or fighters but we could see enemy jet planes on the ground. On the way home we turned the lead over to our deputy because our airspeed indicator freeze up.