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457th Bomb Group Honor Roll
Mission No. 212 |
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| 457th Bomb Group | 748th Bomb Squadron |
| (457th Home) (Back) Updated 12/03/2000, 19:17:20 |
Mission NarrativeMission No. 212Date - March 18, 1945 Target - Berlin This mission on March 18th, 1945 was a "Back to Berlin" mission. Again, the 8th Air Force committed 2000 bombers to the raid in an attempt to knock out communications. The target for the 457th was the marshalling yards. As the approached the target, the high squadron was attacked by ME-262's. Three planes in the high squadron were hit but one managed to survive and flew to Poland where it landed safely. The other managed to return to the base. The plane of Lt John Schwikert was shot down. Bombing was done in Group formation using PFF and visual method because of cloud coverage and general visibility. Results were observed to be good. Gunners claimed four confirmed ME-262's. jPlane s/n 43-38203, piloted by Lt John W. Schwikert, was attacked by three ME262's over the target at Berlin. The plane was hit in the left inboard engine which caused the wing to catch fire. The plane dove sharply and disappeared in the clouds. The crew all bailed out and were all POW's. |
......... Crew
| Pilot | Lt John W. Schwikert | POW | |
| Copilot | Lt Quentin P. Thompson | POW | |
| Navigator | Lt Rueben O. Everett | POW | |
| Toggleer | Sgt. Hugh Burton | POW | |
| Aircraft Engineer | Sgt. Emilio D. Biagini | POW | |
| Radio Operator | Sgt. Rayford L. Brooks | POW | |
| Ball Turret Gunner | Sgt. Douglas R. Barron | POW | |
| Left Waist Gunner | Sgt. Irving S. Brod | POW | |
| Tail Gunner | Sgt. James C. Taber | POW |
Plane s/n 43-38203 | Note: Please feel free to send your observations/comments on the Content: Willard (Hap) Reese (Website Author) |