This painting
is dedicated to the memory of my brother SSgt. Robert C. Lind, the tail gunner
on Aircraft #44-10568 depicted here. He was killed with his crew when this
aircraft went down over Augsburg, Germany on 27 February 1945 during this
mission.
I have taken
some artistic license in creating this painting so as to enhance the moment and
to honor two other friends of mine who were with the 456th Bomb Group
at the time. Both Robert
C. Carlin and Robert Reichard were flying on
this mission and witnessed my brother’s aircraft going down.
Their assistance in helping me with details of the event, history of the
456th Bomb Group, and the 747th Bomb Squadron are
immeasurable. I would also like to
thank Fred Riley and Roy Firestone for their support
and help in aiding me in this endeavor.
The following story is based on the actual events as reported
from the Enemy Evasion Aid Report from Headquarters 456th Bombardment
Group (H) dated 27 Feb 1945, a copy of which was provided to me by my friend,
the late Robert C. Carlin. I have
also based it from personal conversations with Bob Carlin and Bob Reichard and
from their personal observations and articles written by them.
In addition facts were taken from the Group’s history book provided by
Fred Riley, 456th Bomb Group Association historian.
It was a
clear morning with unrestricted visibility when at 0845 hours on the 27th
of February 1945, 28 B-24’s from the 456th Bomb Group based at
Stornara Field, Italy took off on mission 207. They were headed for the
marshaling yards at Augsburg, Germany. One
B-24 turned back because of a bomb rack malfunction, leaving 27 aircraft to
proceed on to the target. The Group
was being escorted by P-51’s and P-38’s, possibly from the 1st,
14th, or 82nd Fighter Group.
Mostly cirrus
clouds covered the North Adriatic and North of the Alps as the Group continued
on to the target. Aircraft 44-10568
was flying Baker 3 position piloted by 2nd Lt. Jim Sugden.
Sgt. Bob Lind, who normally occupied the ball turret position, moved to
the tail turret position for this particular mission.
At 1300 hours a German fighter was seen being chased by two P-51’s
below them. Also four new German ME-262
jet fighters were seen at 35,000 feet. Several
other German fighters were seen circling at 15,000 feet below the Group.
Smoke and clouds covered the target and the anti-aircraft flak was heavy,
intense and accurate. The white
smoke from the flak was an indicator that the Germans were using the heavy 120mm
flak and not the usual 88mm. Aware that the killing radius of the 120mm was about twice
that of the 88mm the crews all knew they were in for one hell of a ride.
Then suddenly
at 1334 hours, over the target, aircraft 44-10568 took a direct hit from flak in
the midsection and broke in two. Bob
Reichard, flying in a flight behind the aircraft, recalled:
“The front spiraled to the ground and the tail seemed to maintain level
flight. In fact, the lead pilot had
to swing our flight off course to avoid a collision with it.”
Bob Carlin, Lt. Lee and at least 22 other crews reported the aircraft was
last seen spinning towards earth, and no parachutes were seen to open.
On that day
27 aircraft dropped 143 bombs, 74.5 tons, on the target.
Only one aircraft was lost with 10 KIA’s and one Navigator-Bombardier
seriously wounded in the leg by flak. After
the strike the remaining aircraft turned south and returned to base.
The return flight was uneventful. Once
back safe at Stornara Field the Enemy Evasion Aid Report was filed and sent to
the Headquarters of the 15th Air Force.
It was signed by Capt. Gilbert Smith and substantiated by the following
personnel: Lead Bombardier Lt.
Turner, Command Pilot Capt. Ecker, Lead Pilot Lt. Brandecker, Lead Navigator Lt.
Puehalski, PFF Navigator Lt. Lee.
Another
mission was completed successfully but at the price of 10 gallant crewmen.
The war had seen many such gallant sacrifices being made and in a few
months it would be all over. Soon
the men of the 456th Bomb Group would be going home with the war
behind them - but never would they forget the gallant fellow crewmen that they
left behind. Their memories and the sacrifices they made would be forever
embedded in their minds. Them and
all the valiant men who fought and died throughout all the branches of the
military during this war and others yet to come, will be forever enshrined in
the hearts of all who cherish the freedom that these brave men gave so freely of
their lives to preserve for all of us. Let
us not forget them and the families they left behind in our thanks and prayers,
and especially to the crew of Aircraft 44-10568 that perished that fateful day.
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