http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_q ... _n16527015
Woodruff's bomber was one of five aircraft shot down and 38 others were damaged during the mission over Politz, according to the "History of the 457th Bombardment Group." During that mission and the five before it, 24 bombers in the 457th were shot down, 88 were damaged and 225 crewmen were killed or missing in action, including POWs, the 457th history said.
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http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/aprilskie ... sions.html
http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/aprilskie ... dbuck.html
88 06/20/44 Politz, Germany – Synthetic Oil
Plant
63 05/29/44 Politz, Germany – Synthetic Oil
Plant
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http://www.457thbombgroup.org/New/NewHi ... thxxx.html
7 Oct. Politz - 5 A/C lost - 38 damaged - 50 crew KIA/MIA
1944 -
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http://www.b24.net/missions/MM062044.htm
For its two missions on this date, the 392nd Bomb Group put up a total of
49 planes. According to 392nd Bomb Group historian Col. Robert E. Vickers, Jr., this "maximum effort" was "a tribute to all ground maintenance, armament, ordnance and communications personnel of the Group's supporting organizations. This type of outstanding effort on behalf of these mission support units was typical throughout the 392nd's combat operations and attributed directly to the successes achieved by the Group in all of its
(285) missions. The 392nd because of this typical effort was always labelled--'a goin' outfit!' as its bombing record among all B-24 units attested." (The Liberators from Wendling, p. 48)
Mission #116 Target: Politz
Again this rough target would be remembered, not only for the Group’s
heavy losses suffered from the raid of May 29th but from the many
casualties it would also absorb again on this day. The target once
more was the synthetic oil refinery and between 0100 and 0200 hours,
(33) aircrews were briefed. Lieutenant Crowell of the 579th was one
of the two primary Bombardiers while Lieutenant Robinson of the 576th
was the other. Two PFF lead ships were employed on this mission. All
(32) ships went over the target, but some malfunction in the lead PFF
ship caused the first squadron to release its bombs shortly after
leaving the IP. The other two squadrons hit the target with generally
fair results. In all, (812) 100# and 500# bombs were dropped in the
target areas. Problems on this mission were compounded with heavy
enemy aircraft reaction against the 14th Combat Wing formations
starting around 0920 hours, just before the target. An estimated
50-60 fighters of the JU-88 and ME-410 bomber/fighter type hit the
Group to some extent but the burden of their strikes was against the
492nd Group from North Pickenham, a sister 14th Combat Wing B-24
outfit. Flak once more was heavy over the target with (24) ships of
those returning picking up battle damage. Though little else was
known,(4) of the 392nd’s Liberators were listed as lost with their
crews MIA - all believed to have headed toward Sweden. From the 579th
in ship #135, Lieutenant W. M. Forsythe’s crew was heard to announce
over VHF "A" Channel after bombs away, position 5417N-1224E, that his
aircraft was headed in that direction and under control. In ship #343
of the 577th, Lieutenant C. L. Bell’s crew was last seen at 1015
hours, position 5417N-1224E, also heading on the same course under
control. From the 577th also, Lieutenant L. Page in aircraft #125 was
observed last, immediately after bombs away, heading toward Sweden
too - this being his second trip to this neutral country. From the
579th, ship #586 with Lieutenant W. A. Schafer was last seen at 1015,
position 5417N-1227E, also heading in that direction. The remaining
aircraft returned safely with Group gunners claiming (3) enemy
aircraft kills. The mission ships landed around 1345 hours with (4)
Liberators and their (40) crew personnel missing-in-action.