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Restoration Division |
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Worms Mission Legacy Documentation |
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On a chilly, overcast Sunday morning on March 18, 1945, forty-one Douglas A-26 Invaders of the 416th Bomb Group took part on a 9th Air Force raid on the city of Worms, Germany. Worms is a major transportation crossroads for the Germany Army on the Rhine River with key bridges and railroad marshalling yards. With General George S. Patton’s Third Army pressing eastward and only several days away, it was imperative to neutralized Worms. The targets for multiple waves of medium bombers of the 9th Air Force were the communications center and marshalling yards. This was the 239th bombing mission for the 416th BG since they landed in Wethersfield, England in February 1944. The group would complete 285 missions by the end of the war in Europe. This mission resulted in the loss of four aircraft and four crew members KIA from the 416th BG. Twenty three aircraft received moderate to heavy flak damage. To the crews that flew that day, this mission became known as “Black Sunday.” Meteorology reports indicated 10/10 cloud cover over the target. At the general mission briefing, the mission was set up as a pathfinder mission. Combat experience at this point in the war indicated that pathfinder missions with 10/10 cloud cover were six times safer than mission with clear skies over a target. While no mission is truly a “milk run”, this mission had the earmarks of one at its beginning. Earlier missions flown by the group resulted in similar levels of losses of aircraft and crew but many these losses occurred under non-combat situations. What happened that morning made a long-lasting impact on the flight crews who took part in Mission #239. An excellent book, written by Ralph Conte, detailed the history of the 416th BG. The book entitled “Attack Bombers We Need You!” devoted five pages to this mission and includes recollections from crew members. A mission with such long lasting impact deserves further attention. Accordingly, this documentation project was initiated with the goal of producing an historical document that focuses solely on the events of the March 18, 1945 mission to Worms, Germany. This document is intended as a tribute and a legacy for all the veterans of the 416th BG; flight crews, ground crews and the hundreds of support personnel at the squadron and group levels that “greased the wheel” to make the 416th BG one of the most effective tactical air forces in the European Theater of Operation. This site presents only an overview of information regarding the Worms mission. An official historical document is in preparation. Carl Sgamboti, Author
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Douglas A-26C Restoration Project Web Pages Originally developed by:
A-26C Restoration Crew Chief Permission to include these web pages on 416th.com graciously provided by Carl's Family |
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Worms Mission |
