467th Bombardment Group Research

Mission #311 by the 8th AF was intended to be a "surprise" attack by taking off later than usual. The goal was to arrive over the target in the early evening, after the time when the Americans would typically attack and before the time when RAF missions would begin. The target for each Bombardment Division was the marshaling yards at Hamm. High command was hoping to destroy the railroad repair crews and equipment when they would least expect an attack.

Twenty-eight aircraft of the 467th BG took off starting at 1630. All of these reached the target. Thirteen dropped a total of 132 x 500 lb general purpose bombs and another thirteen dropped 676 x 100 lb incendiary bombs in the target area. The 10 x 500 lb general purpose bombs of one ship (41-29388 'Slick Chick') fell on a small village just beyond the IP due to a rack malfunction. The 52 x 100 lb incendiary bombs of another plane (42-52565 'Southern Cross/My Ideal') were released over another small village due to difficulty in opening the bomb bay doors.

Lt. Col Shower led the group in Lt. Campbell’s ship (42-52571 'Snooper' with crew #053-R0 of the 790th BS) and Lt Brandon flew deputy lead with Lt Sheehan flying 41-29270 'My Wild Irish Rose' with crew #061-R0 of the 790th BS. The second Squadron was led by Capt Garner, who flew with Lt Tormoen flying 41-29408 'Valiant Lady' with crew #015-R0 of the 788thBS, and Lt Driscoll flew deputy lead while flying 41-29373 'Flak Magnet/The Monster' with crew #007-R0 of the 788th BS.

The results of this raid are described as good, with a considerable number of bombs in the MPI area. Heavy flak was encountered along the route and in the target area. Enemy aircraft were not encountered until the aircraft were nearly back to their bases.

Several German aircraft followed the 2nd BD back to the coast. The weather was clear, and it was just turning dark. A small number of German twin and single-engined fighters (ME 410) came into the traffic pattern of the base and attacked planes as they landed. Some damage was inflicted on the planes, and crew members suffered injury. Two aircraft crashed after being severely damaged. 42-52536, flow by Lt. Roden and crew #009-R0 of the 788th BS, crashed at Witherdale Street, Mendham, Suffolk. Sadly, all 10 members of the crew were killed. Also, 42-52445 'Miss-Fire', flown by Lt. Reid and crew #088-R0 of the 791st BS, crashed in a field opposite the village school at Barsham, Suffolk. While three members of the crew managed to parachute to safety, sadly Lt. Reid and six others from his crew lost their lives.

The German aircraft also attacked the base at Rackheath, straffing and dropping five 50kg bombs. One member of the ground personnel, Pvt. Daniel E. Miney, 1229 Quartermaster Corps, was sadly killed. Miney was the only member of the ground crew killed in action while the Group was stationed at Rackheath.