[Eagle0025]

The P-38s involved were likely from the 474th FG. The group only flew one mission that day (#296) and it was a combined B-26 escort and armed recce mission in the Herford-Hameln-Lippstadt area. The 428th FS put up 9 ships and the 429th put up 12 ships. I do not have any data about the 430th FS, but I am sure they participated as well. Each ship carried one 500 pound bomb and one 165 gallon fuel tank (no cluster bombs).

The 474th also was in the Rheda-Wiedenbruck area on that mission. It is likely that is where they bombed and strafed two locomotives. I have some map coordinates for targets hit on that mission. I will check them against the 1944 maps that I have and see where the areas are. I will let you know if I discover anything.

Cheers, Gary Koch (474th FGA Historian)