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 25, 1945 Mission to Vipiteno Railroad Bridge

Squadron War Diary

486th Not assigned to this mission

487th Not assigned to this mission.

488th First mission was to Vipiteno rail bridge, Italy on the Brenner route with six planes. The flak was intense and we had three planes holed. We got 100% bombing accuracy.

489th Today stark tragedy struck, not once but three separate times when three of our planes were hit by flak over the target, a rail bridge less than fifteen miles from the Italian-Austrian border. One plane sustained a direct hit in its loaded bomb bay while it was making the bomb run; it blew up. Another plane was hit by flak and crashed into a mountain side. The third plane to be lost to us had one engine shot out and when last seen was headed for neurtal Switzerland, where we hope it will make a safe landing.

Losses in Action on mission to Vipiteno RR/B:

Herrin
Butler
Hurd
Jefferys
Manwell
Griffin
Matchette
Spann
Westra
Beckwith
Crecenzi
Firsch
Gearhart
Beverly
Clayton
Schoenholtz
Van Overberg
Taylor

Target in 1945

Target Today

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Squadron	War Diary
486th	Not assigned to this mission
487th	Not assigned to this mission.
488th	First mission was to Vipiteno rail bridge, Italy on the Brenner route with six planes. The flak was intense and we had three planes holed. We got 100% bombing accuracy.
489th	Today stark tragedy struck, not once but three separate times when three of our planes were hit by flak over the target, a rail bridge less than fifteen miles from the Italian-Austrian border. One plane sustained a direct hit in its loaded bomb bay while it was making the bomb run; it blew up. Another plane was hit by flak and crashed into a mountain side. The third plane to be lost to us had one engine shot out and when last seen was headed for neurtal Switzerland, where we hope it will make a safe landing. Losses in Action on mission to Vipiteno RR/B: Herrin Butler Hurd Jefferys Manwell Griffin Matchette Spann Westra Beckwith Crecenzi Firsch Gearhart Beverly Clayton Schoenholtz Van Overberg Taylor

Decorations Awarded

Recipient General Orders - Distinguished Flying Cross

John C. Hostetler John C. Hostetler, 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 25 February 1945, Capt. Hostetler led a formation in an attack upon a railroad bridge on the Brenner Pass line at Vipiteno, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior leadership as he skillfully maneuvered in vigorous evasive action through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Capt. Hostetler leveled out at the last possible moment and guided his bombers on a perfect run over the objective. With all bombardiers releaseing in perfect coordination with the lead bombardier, a devastating bomb pattern in the target area heavily damaged the bridge, thereby blocking a vital link in enemy communication lines. On more than fifty combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Abraham Salop Abraham Salop, 0712311, 1st Lt., 489th Bomb Sq, 340th Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a B-25 type aircraft.

On 25 February 1945, Lt, Salop flew as lead bombardier of a formation attacking a railroad bridge at Vipiteno, Italy. Upon the approach to the target, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire enveloped the formation destroying two B-25's attacking gun positions defending the bridge. Skillfully directing his pilot in a vigorous evasive action through this continuing barrage, which reportedly holed his airplane, to the start of the bomb run, Lt. Salop then set course and guided the formation on a perfect run over the objective. With all bombers releasing on his sightings, many direct hits in the target area heavily damaged this vital bridge. On many 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
John C. Hostetler	John C. Hostetler, 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 25 February 1945, Capt. Hostetler led a formation in an attack upon a railroad bridge on the Brenner Pass line at Vipiteno, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior leadership as he skillfully maneuvered in vigorous evasive action through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Capt. Hostetler leveled out at the last possible moment and guided his bombers on a perfect run over the objective. With all bombardiers releaseing in perfect coordination with the lead bombardier, a devastating bomb pattern in the target area heavily damaged the bridge, thereby blocking a vital link in enemy communication lines. On more than fifty combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Abraham Salop	Abraham Salop, 0712311, 1st Lt., 489th Bomb Sq, 340th Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a B-25 type aircraft. On 25 February 1945, Lt, Salop flew as lead bombardier of a formation attacking a railroad bridge at Vipiteno, Italy. Upon the approach to the target, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire enveloped the formation destroying two B-25's attacking gun positions defending the bridge. Skillfully directing his pilot in a vigorous evasive action through this continuing barrage, which reportedly holed his airplane, to the start of the bomb run, Lt. Salop then set course and guided the formation on a perfect run over the objective. With all bombers releasing on his sightings, many direct hits in the target area heavily damaged this vital bridge. On many 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