7 mai 1944: 15th AAF bombing on Bucharest, live photos

They also bombed the Northern Railway Station (Gara de Nord) and the marshalling yards, hitting trains filled with refugees from Moldavia. This is how the large number of casualties can be explained.

Victor
Mytzu

Many thanks for the additional photos, its not clear to me was the bombing of the CFR station date identical with those posted by Fratello ? also do you by chance remember the target such as the Boucharest Marshalling Yards or Roumanian Army Hdq ( Cuartierul General Al Armatei / Statul Major)

Thanks and sorry I am missinformed

Alex

The targets from 7 may 1944 on Bucharest was the Chitila, Griviţa Giuleşti and Gara de Nord area . The american bombs hited also the center area of Bucharest among Dâmbvoţia river, Caşin church and Sf Vineri church. It was also distroyed C.A.M. Belvedere, 3 schools (nr. 27, 28 and 51); and damaged: 4 highschools (B. Delavrancea, Doamna Stanca, Industrial de fete and A. Vlaicu), 4 hospitals (Miltar, Regina Maria, Viting and Macarie children hospital), some warehouses (Saniar al Armatei, Ministerulu Sănătaţii, de medicamente al C.A.S.S., al Crucii Roşii). It also damaged the Sf Vineri church, Cercul Militar, Inspectoratul General Finaciar, Percepţiile ficale nr. 1 and 12, Judecătoria from Roma street, Administraţia Financiară a sectorului nr. 1, The Cometa fireman station, the Bonaparte Post Office (and primary school near the post office), the Cartea Românească workshops, Leonida and Saral garages, the silk factories Viviliana and Lessel and Iron Industry factory. It was also heavly damaged Gara de Nord (4 rails destroyed, and the Bucureşti-Chitila, Podul Grand and Băneasa-Chitila rails heavly deamaged), the Bucharest C.F.'s warehouses (o lot of waggons had burned), Depoul Bucureşti Mărfuri, and the Regie, Militari and Bucureşti-Triaj stations. The
residential districts Steaua and Giuleşti were also hited by american bombs.
Destroyed buildings: 904; Damaged buildings: 788.
411 people were killed and another 920 wounded.

well in that case either the NORDEN or SPERRY bomb sights were missaligned or the RECON/INTEL maps were not properly charted or maybe drop and forget ?

Alex

On may, 7th 1944 the 15th Air Force sent 536 bombers to Bucharest , Romania to destroy with 1.262 tonnes bombs the railstation and railroads. But only 429 B-24 and B-17 reach the target. The escort for the mission was 199 fighters P-38 and P-51.
In the fight 1 P-38 and 3 B-24 were lost due to enemy fighters and flak and 1 B-17 damaged ditched in Adriatica one the way back ( the crew was saved). 18 victories were claimed by US fighters.

Dan.

On 7 may ’44 the romanian 1th FG took off with 16 IAR 80-81 to intercept the B-17 bombers at 7000m. They attacked three times the first and the second wave of Fortress. Many B-17 were hit with good results. Cpt. Av.Georgescu Constantin shoot one B-17 who started to smoke heavily also his wingmen Sgt.Tifrea and Lt. Marchis confirmed . Three IAR 81 from the group were damaged and Sgt. Zisu Sava was wounded. ( from the book IAR 80 un vanator necunoscut –Dan Antoniu and George Cicos )


The only B-17 lost on that day ( probably hit by Cpt. Georgescu ) was :

B-17 Sn 42-31379 from 97 BG, 341BS Pilot Galloway MIA Bucharest and ditched Adriatic near Bari (all 10 crew saved).

Dan.

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on February 15, 2005 01:56 pm

From the 461BG missions reports :


Mission No. 20, 7 May 1944 – Bucharest M/Y, Roumania

Back to the familiar target area of the Chitila Marshalling Yard of Bucharest, the Group employed practically the same procedure in attacking this target as had been used the previous at Pitesti. The briefed aiming point was in front of a plot of rectangular buildings located near the round house near the northwest end of the marshalling yard. The mission was well led by Captain Goree but the bombs of the first section were somewhat scattered and many of them were to the right of the target. Lt. Faherty, lead bombardier of the second Section, however, rang the bell with a beautiful pattern on the briefed aiming point. Reconnaissance pictures showed the target was hard hit by concentration of 39 per cent of our bombs within 1,000 feet of the briefed aiming point. Only a few enemy airplanes were seen and only three of our bombers were damaged by flak.

From 31FG journal. - 7th may ’44.

“Bucharest was the third corner of the romanian triangle Command meant to defeat: Ploesti, Brasov and Bucharest. Smoke and fire was rising from all over the Romanian capital when the fighters arrived. Above them Major Gillem of 307th spied six German interceptors weaving in and out of the roiling smoke. Shoving his throttle to the fire wall, he led his flight upward in a screaming climb and quick as a flash, he had his third Me-109. Lt.Nelson was able to shoot down his second Messerschmitt, and Lt.Wallace claimed a damaged for the mission. In the 309th, Capt.Sam Brown shot down one of 12 IAR-80’s that attempted to attack the B-24 they were escorting. A second IAR 80 was claimed as damaged. Lt. Faxon also shot down an IAR 80 and Lt.McLaughlin damaged another."


The germans lost that day Ufzz Richard Grafmuller from 9/JG 77his G-6 "yellow 4" wnr 161412 crashed west of Bucharest. Three more Bf-109 from 10/301 were damaged but with their pilots safe.

Dan.

One of the B-24 from 461 BG in the mission over Bucharest on 7th may was:
B-24H No. 27 ‘Hare Power” Sn 41-29325
Hare Power belonged to crew #29
One of the crew member was T/Sgt. Howard C. White 18166945 Eng. Gunner.

Below it's the picture with "Hare Power"( courtesy David White son of Howard White)






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Two B-24 from 454 BG were lost over Bucharest on 7th may '44 due to AA and IAR 80 attack.


- B-24 Sn 41-29436 454BG, 736BS MACR 4663
MIA Bucharest Romania

- B-24 Sn 41-29592 454BG MACR 4624
MIA Bucharest Romania

Dan.

7 may ’44, 1Lt. M.D. Mc Laughlin 309FS, 31FG with P-51B -10-NA sn.42-106559 at 12,07 near Bucharest claimed one IAR 80 damaged.

Dan.


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7 may ’44, 2Lt. P.M. Goldstein 49FS, 14FG with P-38 J-15 “Jewboy’ sn 42-104107 near Bucharest at 11,35 shot down one IAR 80-81 wrong indentified with Fiat G-50.


Dan.


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And his P-38 color profile ( from the book Lightning aces in MTO -Osprey)

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on February 15, 2005 09:55 am

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DFC award 461BG for 7th may '44 ( from 461BG website )

EARL M. DeWITT, 0-733413, First Lieutenant, 764th Bomb Sq, 461st Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as navigator of a B-24 type aircraft. On 7 May 1944, Lt. DeWitt led his group on a bombing mission against an important and heavily defended rail and communications center in Rumania. Because of adverse weather conditions, shortly after getting on course, the formation was required to fly under complete instrument conditions that made navigation extremely difficult. However, despite this hazardous condition, Lt. DeWitt successfully brought his group to the target, doing a superior job in avoiding several heavy enemy flak areas enroute. A perfect bombing run was made, the bombs being dropped with devastating effect, scoring numerous direct hits on the roundhouse and rail center and inflicting great damage to other nearby installations. Adverse weather was encountered on the route to base, but Lt. DeWitt again utilized his exceptional skill to bring the formation safely back to base without loss or damage. By his superior leadership, sound judgment and professional ability on this and other combat missions, Lt DeWitt has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: Sparta, Wisconsin.

JOHN D. ICONIS, 0-673078, First Lieutenant, 764th Bomb Sq, 461st Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as bombardier of a B-24 type aircraft. On 7 May 1944, Lt Iconis led his group on a bombing mission against strategic installations in Rumania. Despite severe and adverse weather conditions enroute to and over the target area, together with heavy enemy opposition from both enemy fighters and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lt Iconis, through superior tactics, skillful leadership and unfailing courage, led his entire formation through the enemy defenses for a highly successful bombing run. Under his superior guidance the bombs from his formation fell directly on the target, inflicting grave damage to vital enemy supplies, equipment and installations. By his calmness, determination and devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout his brilliant combat career, Lt Iconis has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: Richmond Hill, New York

EDWARD F. Veilkuva, 0-682924, First Lieutenant, 764th Bomb Sq, 461st Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of a B-24 type aircraft. On 7 May 1944, Lt. Veiluva led his group on a bombing mission against vital enemy strategic installations in Rumania. Through superior leadership, coordination and maintenance of strict flight discipline, he brought the entire formation through extremely severe and adverse weather conditions for a highly successful bombing run which caused severe damage to be inflicted on vitally important enemy installations. Through the use of exceptionally efficient combat tactics, Lt Veiluva accomplished this difficult and hazardous mission with a minimum of losses that were far below the normal expectancy for such a mission. By his outstanding airmanship, gallantry and devotion to duty, Lt Veiluva has upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: Sacramento, California.

Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular Number 26, Headquarters NATOUSA, the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded the following named personnel, Air Corps, United States Army, residence as indicated with the following citation:

For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. On 7 May 1944, these three (3) officers were flying as staff pilot, pilot, and bombardier in the lead ship of a formation of B-24 type aircraft on a mission against an important and heavily defended rail and communications center in Rumania. As their group approached the target area, the first formation veered off to the right and headed for what appeared to be the target. Captain McQuillan and Lt Alkire were about to follow them when Lt Faherty located a much more important portion of the yards and informed his pilot who led the formation towards it. In spite of the intense concentration of accurate heavy flak that was present, Captain McQuillan and Lt. Alkire kept the formation directly on course and brought them directly over the objective while Lt Faherty dropped his bombs at the exact moment required for perfect target coverage. The initiative, sound judgment and exceptional skill and leadership displayed by these three (3) officers in locating the most important portion of the target and cooperating so splendidly was primarily responsible for the severe damage inflicted on enemy material and installations and reflects great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

DAVID P. MCQUILLAN, 0-793139, Captain, 767th Bomb Sq, 461st Bomb Gp. Residence at appointment: Norristown, Pennsylvania.

ROBERT W. ALKIRE, 0-683139, First Lieutenant, 767th Bomb Sq, 461st Bomb Gp. Residence at appointment: Jamaica, Iowa.

PATRICK J. FAHERTY, JR., 0-663244, First Lieutenant, 767th Bomb Sq, 461st Bomb
Gp. Residence at appointment: Quincy, Massachusetts.




EDWIN T. GOREE, 0-724610, Major, 764th Bomb Sq, 461st Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of a B-24 type aircraft. On 7 May 1944, Major Goree led his group on a bombing mission against vital enemy strategic installations in Rumania. Through superior leadership, coordination, and maintenance of strict flight discipline, he brought the entire group through extremely severe and adverse weather conditions directly to the target for a highly successful bombing run that caused heavy damage to be inflicted on vitally important enemy installations. Through the use of exceptionally efficient combat tactics, Major Goree accomplished this difficult and hazardous mission without loss. By his outstanding airmanship, gallantry, and devotion to duty, Major Goree has upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: San Diego, California.



Dan.

Capt. Sam Brown 31FG, 309th had a record of IAR 80 shot down over romanian sky.


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