Mission 207
This painting is
dedicated to the memory of my brother S/Sgt. Robert C. Lind, the tail
gunner on Aircraft #44-10568 depicted here. He was killed with his
crew when this aircraft went down over Augsburg, Germany on 27 February
1945 during this mission.
I have taken some artistic license in creating this painting so as to
enhance the moment and to honor two other friends of mine who were with
the 456th Bomb Group at the time. Both Robert C. Carlin
and Robert Reichard were flying on this mission and witnessed my
brother’s aircraft going down. Their assistance in helping me with
details of the event, history of the 456th Bomb Group, and
the 747th Bomb Squadron are immeasurable. I would
also like to thank Fred Riley and Roy Firestone for their support and
help in aiding me in this endeavor.
The following story is based on the actual events as reported from the
Enemy Evasion Aid Report from Headquarters 456th Bombardment
Group (H) dated 27 Feb 1945, a copy of which was provided to me by my
friend, the late Robert C. Carlin. I have also based it from
personal conversations with Bob Carlin and Bob Reichard and from their
personal observations and articles written by them. In addition
facts were taken from the Group’s history book provided by Fred Riley,
456th Bomb Group Association historian.
It was a clear morning with unrestricted visibility when at 0845 hours
on the 27th of February 1945, 28 B-24’s from the 456th
Bomb Group based at Stornara Field, Italy took off on mission 207.
They were headed for the marshaling yards at Augsburg, Germany.
One B-24 turned back because of a bomb rack malfunction, leaving 27
aircraft to proceed on to the target. The Group was being escorted
by P-51’s and P-38’s, possibly from the 1st, 14th,
or 82nd Fighter Group.
Mostly cirrus clouds covered the north Adriatic and north of the Alps as
the Group continued on to the target. Aircraft 44-10568 was flying
Baker 3 position piloted by 2nd Lt. Jim Sugden. Sgt. Bob
Lind, who normally occupied the ball turret position, moved to the tail
turret position for this particular mission. At 1300 hours a
German fighter was seen being chased by two P-51’s below them.
Also four new German ME-262 jet fighters were seen at 35,000 feet.
Several other German fighters were seen circling at 15,000 feet below
the Group. Smoke and clouds covered the target and the
anti-aircraft flak was heavy, intense and accurate. The white
smoke from the flak was an indicator that the Germans were using the
heavy 120mm flak and not the usual 88mm. Aware that the killing
radius of the 120mm was about twice that of the 88mm the crews all knew
they were in for one hell of a ride.
Then suddenly at 1334 hours, over the target, aircraft 44-10568 took a
direct hit from flak in the midsection and broke in two. Bob
Reichard, flying in a flight behind the aircraft, recalled: “The front
spiraled to the ground and the tail seemed to maintain level flight.
In fact, the lead pilot had to swing our flight off course to avoid a
collision with it.” Bob Carlin, Lt. Lee and at least 22 other
crews reported the aircraft was last seen spinning towards earth, and no
parachutes were seen to open.
On that day 27 aircraft dropped 143 bombs, 74.5 tons, on the target.
Only one aircraft was lost with 10 KIA’s and one Navigator-Bombardier
seriously wounded in the leg by flak. After the strike the
remaining aircraft turned south and returned to base. The return
flight was uneventful. Once back safe at Stornara Field the Enemy
Evasion Aid Report was filed and sent to the Headquarters of the 15th
Air Force. It was signed by Capt. Gilbert Smith and substantiated
by the following personnel: Lead Bombardier Lt. Turner, Command Pilot
Capt. Ecker, Lead Pilot Lt. Brandecker, Lead Navigator Lt. Puehalski,
PFF Navigator Lt. Lee.
Pilot- 2nd Lt. James W. Sugden
Co Pilot – 2nd Lt. Lee O. Bogue, Jr.
Navigator- 2nd Lt. Benjamin S. Opperman
Bombardier- 2nd Lt. George F. Collins
Engineer- T/Sgt. Edward H. Kinney
Radio Operator – T/Sgt. Anacleto E. Magliacane
Nose Turret Gunner- S/Sgt. Warren E. Smith
Top Turret Gunner- S/Sgt. Paul S. Hensley
Ball Turret Gunner- S/Sgt. Clifford E. Todd
Tail Turret Gunner- S/Sgt. Robert C. Lind