| 340th BG Squadron Insignia |
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| 489th B.S. | ||||
| Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories | ||||
March 20th, 1945 Mission to Campo North & South Bridges
| Squadron | War Diary |
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| 340th HQ Diary | The group flew its 800th mission yesterday, against the Muhldorf rail bridge in Austria, scoring direct hits on the installation. On two other missions direct hits were scored on Perca rail bridge and the San Michele diversion fill. Today the 488th squadron lost two crews headed by 1st Lt. John P. Wilkerson [Also lost were: Lt. Robert J. Brown, Sgt. Blain J. Thompson, Sgt. Richard Miller] and 1st Lt. Edward V. Mack [Lt. Mack survived. KIA were: Lt. Stanley C. Caniglio, Sgt. Maurice Granger, Sgt. Paul E. Leonneke, Sgt. Edmund C. Racette, Sgt. Zegmund Zawistowski], and the 488th lost 2nd Lt. James E. Jacobs [Lt. Jacobs, Sgt. Melvin E. Kelly and Sgt. Jack B. Willingham survived as POW. Lt. Hardy D. Narron, Lt. George W. Hammond and Sgt. Medard R. Tafoya were captured and shot by the Germans.] and crew, all over the the Campo bridge targets, where the flak was savage. The north Campo bridge was probably seriously damaged, while a cut was possibly made on the south target. Two other targets were the Vipiteno rail bridge, which was well hit, and the rail bridge at Pizzighettone, where trackage on the approach was cut. |
| 486th | The Squadron suffered a major loss today when 6B failed to return. The crew of six were some of the best liked men in the outfit. They were: Lt. Mack, Pilot Lt. Caniglio, Co-Pilot S/Sgt. Granger, Bombardier Sgt. Leonneke, Radio-Gunner Sgt. Racette, Turret Gunner S/Sgt. Zawistowski, Tail Gunner The 488th also lost one plane and we had eight men with minor wounds. Spirits are pretty low tonight. |
| 487th | Twelve bombers and three phosphorus ships took off at 08:30 hours this morning to bomb Campo South Railroad bridge and Vipiteno gun positions. Both boxes were within the target area scoring hits on the north end of the bridge. Phosphorus probably hit gun positions, but observations were difficult due to intense flak. Five ships were holed and one crew member, Sgt. Heater, was wounded as a result of the accurate anti-aircraft fire encountered over the target. Needless to say the boys will not request a repeat performance at Campo South. |
| 488th | Losses in Action: 1st Lt. John P. Wilkinson 2nd Lt. Robert J. Brown S/Sgt. Blaine G. Thompson S/Sgt. Paul M. Zick S/Sgt. James H. Cardwell S/Sgt. Richard Miller 2nd Lt. James E. Jacobs 2nd Lt. Hardy D. Narron 1st Lt. George W. Hammond, Jr. S/Sgt. Jack B. Willingham S/Sgt. Medard R. Tafoya S/Sgt. Melvin E. Kelly |
| 489th | Not assigned to this mission |
| Target in 1945 |
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| Target Today |
View Larger Map |
| Plane 7A of the 487th Squadron on the Campo Mission |
 Photo from the collection of Hymie Setzer |
Crew Lists and Mission Reports
| Crew Lists |
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| Crew List 487th |
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| 340th BG Squadron Insignia |
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| 489th B.S. | ||||
| Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories | ||||
