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

March 17, 1945 Mission to Aldeno Fill (Middle)

Squadron War Diary

486th Today's mission went to the Aldeno fill, along the lower Brenner Line and proved to be a very hot target. Our squadron was a bit lucky because we just received two holed ships; however the 489th had the misfortune of losing one ship. Six chutes were observed and we can hope for the best.

487th Not assigned to this mission.

488th Not assigned to this mission

489th On mission to Aldeno RR Fill
Missing in action:
2nd Lt. Charles C. Parker
2nd Lt. Lawrence E. Proffitt
2nd Lt. Howard R. Bradley, Jr.
S/Sgt. William N. MacEachon
Sgt. James R. Ehrsam

Personal account by 2nd Lt. Howard R. Bradley, Jr.
[2nd Lt. Howard R. Bradely, Jr. along with the rest of the crew had to bail out. He broke his ankle upon hitting the ground and was immediately taken prisoner.]

“Surprisingly, no one panicked and everyone waited his turn to evacuate the aircraft while Capt. Parker maintained the ship on a steady descent.

[...]

It was a terribly long time before we reached a prison in the middle of the night somewhere near Bolzano. We were thrown into a cell along with Capt. Parker where we could stretch out in bunk beds. He took the top bunk because of my broken ankle.

The next night some German guards opened the door and gestured to me to follow them. I tried to follow their orders but due to my ankle I collapsed at their feet. They demanded an explanation and our guard told them my situation. They dismissed me with a disdainful wave of the hand and turned to Capt. Parker. They told him to follow them. I never saw him again, nor did I have any idea what happened to him until I learned of his story later.

Think of it! For some unknown reason God spared me, but Parker is dead. If I had not have broken my ankle, I would have died in his place. I could never make you understand what I feel. Yes, I would really like to forget all of these things...and the war.”

[Capt. Charles Parker was taken out, along with two British airmen, and shot in the back by SS troops on the orders of a Major Schiffer. The SS major was angry at Allied bomber crews because of the indiscriminate bombing of German cities. The tragic irony is that the 57th Bomb Wing was a tactical wing specializing in bombing transportation infrascructure and never bombed cities in Germany.]

[Translated from U.S.S. Corsica, L'île porte-avions by Dominique Taddei, Albiana Press, Corsica 2003 pages 177, 180.]

Target in 1945

Target Today

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Squadron	War Diary
486th	Today's mission went to the Aldeno fill, along the lower Brenner Line and proved to be a very hot target. Our squadron was a bit lucky because we just received two holed ships; however the 489th had the misfortune of losing one ship. Six chutes were observed and we can hope for the best.
487th	Not assigned to this mission.
488th	Not assigned to this mission
489th	On mission to Aldeno RR Fill Missing in action: 2nd Lt. Charles C. Parker 2nd Lt. Lawrence E. Proffitt 2nd Lt. Howard R. Bradley, Jr. S/Sgt. William N. MacEachon Sgt. James R. Ehrsam

Personal account by 2nd Lt. Howard R. Bradley, Jr.
[2nd Lt. Howard R. Bradely, Jr. along with the rest of the crew had to bail out. He broke his ankle upon hitting the ground and was immediately taken prisoner.] “Surprisingly, no one panicked and everyone waited his turn to evacuate the aircraft while Capt. Parker maintained the ship on a steady descent. [...] It was a terribly long time before we reached a prison in the middle of the night somewhere near Bolzano. We were thrown into a cell along with Capt. Parker where we could stretch out in bunk beds. He took the top bunk because of my broken ankle. The next night some German guards opened the door and gestured to me to follow them. I tried to follow their orders but due to my ankle I collapsed at their feet. They demanded an explanation and our guard told them my situation. They dismissed me with a disdainful wave of the hand and turned to Capt. Parker. They told him to follow them. I never saw him again, nor did I have any idea what happened to him until I learned of his story later. Think of it! For some unknown reason God spared me, but Parker is dead. If I had not have broken my ankle, I would have died in his place. I could never make you understand what I feel. Yes, I would really like to forget all of these things...and the war.” [Capt. Charles Parker was taken out, along with two British airmen, and shot in the back by SS troops on the orders of a Major Schiffer. The SS major was angry at Allied bomber crews because of the indiscriminate bombing of German cities. The tragic irony is that the 57th Bomb Wing was a tactical wing specializing in bombing transportation infrascructure and never bombed cities in Germany.] [Translated from U.S.S. Corsica, L'île porte-avions by Dominique Taddei, Albiana Press, Corsica 2003 pages 177, 180.]

Decorations Awarded

Recipient General Orders - Distinguished Flying Cross

James R. Millikin James R. Millikin, 0760892, 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 17 March 1945, Lt. Millikin led a large formation in an attack upon a rail fill at Aldeno, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior leadership as he skillfully maneuvered in an effective evasive action through intense anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Lt. Millikin leveled out at the last possible moment and guided his formation on a perfect run over the objective. In perfect coordination with the lead bombardier, a concentrated pattern of bombs in the target area heavily damaged this 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.

Recipient	General Orders - Distinguished Flying Cross
James R. Millikin	James R. Millikin, 0760892, 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 17 March 1945, Lt. Millikin led a large formation in an attack upon a rail fill at Aldeno, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior leadership as he skillfully maneuvered in an effective evasive action through intense anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Lt. Millikin leveled out at the last possible moment and guided his formation on a perfect run over the objective. In perfect coordination with the lead bombardier, a concentrated pattern of bombs in the target area heavily damaged this 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.

Crew Lists and Mission Reports

Crew List 486th

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