340th Bomb Group History

340th Bombardment Group History

340th BG Patch

340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories

February 18, 1945 Mission to Ala Station Yard & Railroad Bridge

Squadron War Diary

486th Brenner Pass mission by three boxes of ships resulted in 98% accuracy for the squadron. Flak was accurate and damaged Lt. Cooleys' ship to the extent it was thought at first all members would have to bail out. The flames on one of the engines fortunately ceased and it was then decided to take the ship back. All men remained cool and their courage is indeed an example for all.

487th The status was all mixed up this morning and no one knew exactly what was going on. First of all a mission was scheduled for early morning take-off, but it was changed and a stand-down was declared at Group briefing. By the time crews got back to the Squadron area an immediate stand-by was in effect and shortly after that an afternoon mission was determined. Early chow was served to crew members and they were out on the field taking off when they were called back due to the weather. All this confusion was supposed to have been caused by the apparent withdrawal of German troops from Italy......Three chaff ships from this Squadron flew with the 488th and dropped the chaff in the assigned area, but phosphorus bombs were returned due to bombardiers error.

488th Fifteen planes to Ala station and marshalling yards, Italy. 75% bombing accuracy. The anti-flak element hit their assigned gun positions right on the head.

489th Not assigned to this mission

Target in 1945

Target Today

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German 88mm Flak Gun Positions (Photographs courtesy Odorico Tonello)

Squadron	War Diary
486th	Brenner Pass mission by three boxes of ships resulted in 98% accuracy for the squadron. Flak was accurate and damaged Lt. Cooleys' ship to the extent it was thought at first all members would have to bail out. The flames on one of the engines fortunately ceased and it was then decided to take the ship back. All men remained cool and their courage is indeed an example for all.
487th	The status was all mixed up this morning and no one knew exactly what was going on. First of all a mission was scheduled for early morning take-off, but it was changed and a stand-down was declared at Group briefing. By the time crews got back to the Squadron area an immediate stand-by was in effect and shortly after that an afternoon mission was determined. Early chow was served to crew members and they were out on the field taking off when they were called back due to the weather. All this confusion was supposed to have been caused by the apparent withdrawal of German troops from Italy......Three chaff ships from this Squadron flew with the 488th and dropped the chaff in the assigned area, but phosphorus bombs were returned due to bombardiers error.
488th	Fifteen planes to Ala station and marshalling yards, Italy. 75% bombing accuracy. The anti-flak element hit their assigned gun positions right on the head.
489th	Not assigned to this mission

Crew Lists and Mission Reports

Crew List 486th


Crew List 488th

340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories