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

January 20, 1945 Mission to Trento Marshaling Yards

Squadron War Diary

486th In spite of freezing mist and drizzle early this morning the day resolved itself into a fairly sunny one, and we had a mission to the Trento marshalling yards. Very hot target. Twelve ships with bombs and three with chaff and phosphorous. Three ships holed but no casualties. One of the other squadrons, the 487th, lost one ship in flames over the target.

487th Twelve bombers of the Squadron took off at 11:30 hours to bomb Trento Marshaling Yards in Northern Italy. Anti-aircraft fire was accurate and intense although despite the opposition a compact pattern was placed within the target area. Six planes were holed and 7L with Lts. La Vine, Gluckowski, F/O Farone; S/Sgts. Gregor, Mayer and Sgt. Summers aboard was downed over the target. It all happened so fast that no one really knows what occurred. Crew members of other planes noticed the distressed bomber on fire just before it headed earthward. Following formations reported two possible 'chutes coming from the downed ship. It's almost six months to the day since we lost a ship. -- June 22, 1944. Lt. Evans got quite a break as he ws supposed to fly 7L today until he was removed from the schedule to accompany the band for a week-end engagement.

Much drinking took place at the Officers Club tonite which was probably due to the catastrophe. It's amazing to see what a change an accident of that kind brings about among the combat men.

Journal Entry - War Diary - March 29, 1945:

The Squadron got word today that S/Sgt. Summers who went down over Trento Marshaling Yards on January 20th is now a prisoner of war. The War Department has not advised his Mother of the fact as yet although she had a letter from her own Son in Germany. It is not known whether or not any of the other crew members got out safely.

488th Twelve planes to Trento North marshalling yards, Italy. 100% bombing accuracy and a beautiful coverage of the target with all patterns.

489th We sent a total of fifteen aircraft to the Trento marshalling yards. Three of these aircraft carried chaff and one hundred pound phosphorous bombs. The other twelve planes each carried four one thousand pounders. There were a total of fifty-four aircraft in the Group formation. It was necessary to fly through heavy, intense, and very accurate ack-ack (six planes were holed) before the bombs were away. But in spite of this opposition, our bombardiers lay an excellent pattern and undoubtedly, according to Captain Eggers, Group Intelligence Photographic Interpreter, destroyed a high per centage of the 400 units of rolling stock in the yards at the time of the mission. The 487th Squadron lost one plane to flak directly over the target.

Target in 1945

Target Today

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Squadron	War Diary
486th	In spite of freezing mist and drizzle early this morning the day resolved itself into a fairly sunny one, and we had a mission to the Trento marshalling yards. Very hot target. Twelve ships with bombs and three with chaff and phosphorous. Three ships holed but no casualties. One of the other squadrons, the 487th, lost one ship in flames over the target.
487th	Twelve bombers of the Squadron took off at 11:30 hours to bomb Trento Marshaling Yards in Northern Italy. Anti-aircraft fire was accurate and intense although despite the opposition a compact pattern was placed within the target area. Six planes were holed and 7L with Lts. La Vine, Gluckowski, F/O Farone; S/Sgts. Gregor, Mayer and Sgt. Summers aboard was downed over the target. It all happened so fast that no one really knows what occurred. Crew members of other planes noticed the distressed bomber on fire just before it headed earthward. Following formations reported two possible 'chutes coming from the downed ship. It's almost six months to the day since we lost a ship. -- June 22, 1944. Lt. Evans got quite a break as he ws supposed to fly 7L today until he was removed from the schedule to accompany the band for a week-end engagement. Much drinking took place at the Officers Club tonite which was probably due to the catastrophe. It's amazing to see what a change an accident of that kind brings about among the combat men. Journal Entry - War Diary - March 29, 1945: The Squadron got word today that S/Sgt. Summers who went down over Trento Marshaling Yards on January 20th is now a prisoner of war. The War Department has not advised his Mother of the fact as yet although she had a letter from her own Son in Germany. It is not known whether or not any of the other crew members got out safely.
488th	Twelve planes to Trento North marshalling yards, Italy. 100% bombing accuracy and a beautiful coverage of the target with all patterns.
489th	We sent a total of fifteen aircraft to the Trento marshalling yards. Three of these aircraft carried chaff and one hundred pound phosphorous bombs. The other twelve planes each carried four one thousand pounders. There were a total of fifty-four aircraft in the Group formation. It was necessary to fly through heavy, intense, and very accurate ack-ack (six planes were holed) before the bombs were away. But in spite of this opposition, our bombardiers lay an excellent pattern and undoubtedly, according to Captain Eggers, Group Intelligence Photographic Interpreter, destroyed a high per centage of the 400 units of rolling stock in the yards at the time of the mission. The 487th Squadron lost one plane to flak directly over the target.

Decorations Awarded

Recipient General Orders - Distinguished Flying Cross

Alleson J. Forrister Alleson J. Forrister, 0760702, Capt, 489th Bomb Sq, 340th Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a B-25 type aircraft.

On 20 January 1945, Lt. Forrister flew in an attack upon a marshalling yard at Trento, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior flying skill as he skillfully maneuvered through a heavy overcast and accurate anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Lt. Forrister's perfect run over the objective enabled his bombardier to release his bombs with precision accuracy on this vital enemy communications center. On more than sixty-five combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Recipient	General Orders - Distinguished Flying Cross
Alleson J. Forrister	Alleson J. Forrister, 0760702, Capt, 489th Bomb Sq, 340th Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a B-25 type aircraft. On 20 January 1945, Lt. Forrister flew in an attack upon a marshalling yard at Trento, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior flying skill as he skillfully maneuvered through a heavy overcast and accurate anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Lt. Forrister's perfect run over the objective enabled his bombardier to release his bombs with precision accuracy on this vital enemy communications center. On more than sixty-five combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Crew Lists and Mission Reports

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