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 31, 1945 Mission to Rovereto Railroad Bridge

Squadron War Diary

486th Again a mission to Rovereto in the Brenner Pass. Unfortunately two men were struck by flak - Lt. Eddy and Sgt. Kingsbury - We are very unhappy to report such bad news but we wish them the best possible recovery. Bombs were dropped directly across the R.R. Bridge and the Squadron made 100%.

Lt. Harbough had his hydraulics shot up and had to land tail dragging. He used excellent judgement when he saw he could not stop at the end of the runway by reving up his right engine to spin completely about, thus averting an accident off the end of the field.

And so another month has quickly sped by. The missions fell mostly at the end of the month because of poor flying weather at its beginning.

487th Twelve bombers of the 487th Squadron took off at 11:30 hours this A.M. to again bomb the Rovereto railroad bridge in Northern Italy. The first box was believed to have hit the north approach, but due to poor visibility the pattern of the second box was not clearly observed although crews reported it within the target area. Anti-aircraft fire was heavy, moderate to intense and accurate holing three of the participating aircraft.

7M returned with a hole as large as a human head so close to the radio compartment that Sgt. Rigdon missed it by fractions rather than inches. He was only slightly injured by fragments, however.

488th Fifteen planes to Rovereto rail station and marshalling yards, Italy. 100% bombing accuracy. the 488th for the month of January had 17 missions with 188 sorties. It dropped 553,200 pounds of bombs. On the efficiency reports it ranked first, and the Guard Mount was the best in the Group.

489th Not assigned to this mission.

Squadron	War Diary
486th	Again a mission to Rovereto in the Brenner Pass. Unfortunately two men were struck by flak - Lt. Eddy and Sgt. Kingsbury - We are very unhappy to report such bad news but we wish them the best possible recovery. Bombs were dropped directly across the R.R. Bridge and the Squadron made 100%. Lt. Harbough had his hydraulics shot up and had to land tail dragging. He used excellent judgement when he saw he could not stop at the end of the runway by reving up his right engine to spin completely about, thus averting an accident off the end of the field. And so another month has quickly sped by. The missions fell mostly at the end of the month because of poor flying weather at its beginning.
487th	Twelve bombers of the 487th Squadron took off at 11:30 hours this A.M. to again bomb the Rovereto railroad bridge in Northern Italy. The first box was believed to have hit the north approach, but due to poor visibility the pattern of the second box was not clearly observed although crews reported it within the target area. Anti-aircraft fire was heavy, moderate to intense and accurate holing three of the participating aircraft. 7M returned with a hole as large as a human head so close to the radio compartment that Sgt. Rigdon missed it by fractions rather than inches. He was only slightly injured by fragments, however.
488th	Fifteen planes to Rovereto rail station and marshalling yards, Italy. 100% bombing accuracy. the 488th for the month of January had 17 missions with 188 sorties. It dropped 553,200 pounds of bombs. On the efficiency reports it ranked first, and the Guard Mount was the best in the Group.
489th	Not assigned to this mission.

Decorations Awarded

Recipient General Orders - Distinguished Flying Cross

Bryant (BO) Lyons Bryant O. Lyons, 0764371, 1st Lt, 487th Bomb Sq, 340th Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a B-25 type aricraft.

On 31 January 1945, Lt. Lyons flew as flight leader in a formation attacking a railroad bridge at Rovereto, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior leadership as he skillfully maneuvered through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Lt. Lyons' perfect run over the objective enabled his bombardier to release his bombs with devastating effect upon this vital bridge. On fifty-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.

Lt. Lyons receives his DFC from General Knapp.

Target in 1945

Photo not available. See January 28, 1945 mission to same target.

Target Today

View Larger Map

Recipient	General Orders - Distinguished Flying Cross
Bryant (BO) Lyons	Bryant O. Lyons, 0764371, 1st Lt, 487th Bomb Sq, 340th Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a B-25 type aricraft. On 31 January 1945, Lt. Lyons flew as flight leader in a formation attacking a railroad bridge at Rovereto, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior leadership as he skillfully maneuvered through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Lt. Lyons' perfect run over the objective enabled his bombardier to release his bombs with devastating effect upon this vital bridge. On fifty-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. Lt. Lyons receives his DFC from General Knapp.

Target in 1945
Photo not available. See January 28, 1945 mission to same target.
Target Today
View Larger Map

No Crew Lists Available

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