This mission was prompted by an unusual request from the advancing Russian forces. The target assigned was shipping facilities and shipping in the Oder River near the city. The 392nd was selected from the 14th Combat Wing Groups to provide the strike force because of its efficient bombing record. A total of (31) aircrews were committed, general briefings being conducted between 0415 and 0530 hours. At 0740, the entire Group force was launched, having been personally briefed by the 14th Combat Wing Commander, General Leon Johnson, on bombing precautions with the Russian forces just (12) miles away from the target area. Over the target, 10/10ths cloud cover was encountered causing the force of (28) ships going over to bomb by H2X radar. The majority of crews felt that the target had been well hit by the huge volume of dense smoke which rose out of the undercast after release of the (144) 1000# GP bombs. This assessment later proved to be correct as the target had been attacked well. Once again there were no fighter seen and flak was negligible. Returning ships landed at base safely around 1540 hours.
Gen William E. Kepner, commander of the 2nd Air Division, sent this teletype to his units with the direction that it be read at the day's air crew briefing:
"Evaluation of yesterday's bombing results on important communications and a/c centers concisely shows that each of 2nd Division's targets was superlatively hit. I consider this to be not only the best day's work this Division has ever done while under my command but also one of the outstanding performances in the history of precision bombing. My congratulations to each and every officer and man in each and every Group and Wing for this magnificent performance which dealt the enemy a devastating blow at one of the crucial periods of the war."
On 7 April 1945, Gen William E. Kepner, commander of the 2nd Air Division, sent this teletype to his units about the mission on 12 March to Swinemunde:
"I commend all units and personnel of this Division for their contribution towards the success of the mission against Swinemunde as indicated by the following:"
"Your well planned and magnificently executed operation of 12 March against Swinemunde is deserving of the highest praise. The town of Swinemunde was heavily damaged by concentrations of high explosive bursts which also destroyed a factory, several warehouses and installations near a seaplane base. Additional photographic reconnaissance made by the Soviets has established that several hundred bomb craters are clearly visible in the fort area and that three (3) transport ships were definitely sunk during the attack. This devastating instrument bombing attack, made with great accuracy only a short distance from the Russian front lines, truly demonstrates the skill and determination with which your crews fulfill their duties. I wish to commend you upon this outstanding job by your command, and particularly wish to commend and congratulate the lead crews and air commanders who so carefully and efficiently conducted the attack. Signed SPAATZ."
"I am pleased and gratified to forward to you this splendid commendation contained in basic communication from Lieutenant General Spaatz. Please convey to all air commanders and crews my sincere appreciation for the outstanding effort which they displayed in the execution of the operation against military objectives in the town of Swinemunde. Signed DOOLITTLE."
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 545 |
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P Smith, W.E. 2nd Lt. CP Malmborg, F.L. 2nd Lt. N Judd, G.G. 1st Lt. B Linderman, W.T. S/Sgt. R Kroll, M.E. Sgt. E Lyon, H.H. S/Sgt. RW Devish, M.G. S/Sgt. LW Werner, W.T. S/Sgt. TG Farley, R.L. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 194 |
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P Markuson, C.O. 1st Lt. CP Hutchcroft, H.W. 2nd Lt. N Maceyra, E. 2nd Lt. B Hunter, E.R. S/Sgt. R Burke, J.E. T/Sgt. E Cain, P.L. T/Sgt. RW Monaghan, T.D. S/Sgt. LW Howard, J.B. S/Sgt. TG Horn, J.E. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 650 |
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P Ault, D.E. 2nd Lt. CP Maloney, J.P. F/O N Lang, H.A. F/O B Brown, H.F. Cpl. R Buglewicz, G.J. Cpl. E Dehart, R.J. Cpl. RW Waters, R.D. Cpl. LW Huffer, J.O. Cpl. TG Hoffman, R.L. Cpl. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 340 |
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P Harcus, R.W. 2nd Lt. CP Thompson, J.R. 2nd Lt. N Adler, M.N. 2nd Lt. B Brennan, R.W. S/Sgt. R Shanley, J.V. T/Sgt. E Thomas, E. T/Sgt. RW Woerth, J.B. S/Sgt. LW Marshall, L.C. S/Sgt. TG Rosenberg, J.E. S/Sgt. RCM Williams, C.G. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 357 |
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P Ross, J.E. 1st Lt. CP Crane, F.D. 1st Lt. N Richner, G.C. F/O B Arnold, E.R. S/Sgt. R Agnew, T.G. T/Sgt. E Albright, H.B. T/Sgt. RW Brooks, V.B. S/Sgt. LW Watkins, F.C. S/Sgt. TG Blackburn, W.F. S/Sgt. RCM Cauchon, L.V. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 709 |
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P Yasi, R.L. 2nd Lt. CP Blanton, G.L. 2nd Lt. N Hamilton, P.L. 2nd Lt. B Pasco, W.J. S/Sgt. R Nalette, T.A. S/Sgt. E Taylor, B.D. T/Sgt. RW Malley, J.P. S/Sgt. LW Hensler, L.P. S/Sgt. TG Tingle, J.B. S/Sgt. S-27 Krohn, O.G. T/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 659 |
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P Griffin, J.E. 2nd Lt. CP Cameron, A.S. 2nd Lt. N Byall, J.R. 2nd Lt. B Kosek, S.C. Cpl. R Kirkpatrick, J.T. Cpl. E Richardson, S.D. Sgt. RW Jordan, F.C. Cpl. LW Shealy, L.A. Cpl. TG Dennis, R.W. Cpl. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 770 |
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P Earl, P.R. 2nd Lt. CP Smiley, W.R. 2nd Lt. N Perkins, R.W. 2nd Lt. B Marchetta, A. S/Sgt. R Irish, E.W. T/Sgt. E Woods, R.E. T/Sgt. RW Keith, D.N. S/Sgt. LW - - TG Schafer, J.G. S/Sgt. B Duffy, F.J. 1st Lt. |
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12 Mar 1945 576th Sqdn. A/C 299 |
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P Frazier, L.J. 2nd Lt. CP Linder, E.P. F/O N Robinson, R.L. 2nd Lt. B Hazard, A.R. 2nd Lt. R Latour, H.E. Cpl. E McGrath, L.R. Cpl. RW Leach, R.H. Cpl. LW Penders, D.P. Cpl. TG Rohde, R.E. Cpl. RCM Marantos, J. (Radar Officer from 2nd Air Division) |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 898 |
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P Osojnicki, E.S. 2nd Lt. CP Schoellerman, M.L. 2nd Lt. N Flugel, R.R. F/O B Ashen, G.T. 2nd Lt. R Reidy, H.J. Sgt. E Sacher, P. Cpl. RW Ortega, J. Sgt. LW Weatherbie, L.K. Sgt. TG McCormick, F.G. Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 906 |
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P Majesky, A.E. 2nd Lt. CP Wanner, G.L. 2nd Lt. N Vought, E.I. F/O B Zuckert, J.S. 2nd Lt. R Ivey, M.A. Sgt. E Patton, F.M. Sgt. RW Esenwein, E.R. Sgt. LW Adelman, S. Sgt. TG Martin, J.F. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 040 |
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P Harding, W.A. 1st Lt. CP Morrow, E.T. 2nd Lt. N Parrish, J.D. 2nd Lt. B Fisher, J.G. Sgt. R Dollar, W.H. Sgt. E Butler, C.E. Sgt. RW Silliman, E. Sgt. LW Smith, R.L. Jr. Sgt. TG Neumann, H.J. Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 118 |
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P Scott, D.A. 2nd Lt. CP Cline, K.E. 1st Lt. N Tucker, R.A. 1st Lt. B Glasscock, J.B. S/Sgt. R Berger, S. T/Sgt. E Karas, J. T/Sgt. RW Hanley, E.H. S/Sgt. LW Jordan, V.A. 2nd Lt. TG McKee, S.P. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 448 |
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P Mlinarcik, E. 2nd Lt. CP Parker, R.W. 2nd Lt. N Caris, R.L. 2nd Lt. B Caltrider, G.E. Sgt. R Livingston, F. Sgt. E Butler, J.M. Sgt. RW Howard, C.E. Sgt. LW Kozma, M. Sgt. TG Franks, A. Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 118 (no mission credit) |
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P Jackson, C.J. 1st Lt. CP Parrish, C.E. 2nd Lt. N Pillsbury, A.A. 2nd Lt. B Wolfe, P.G. S/Sgt. R Paren, J.H. S/Sgt. E Jenkins, J.H. Sgt. RW Webb, J.H. S/Sgt. LW Korb, L.J. S/Sgt. TG Roe, W.L. Sgt. RCM Hightower, W.H. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 901 (no mission credit) |
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P Weed, O.F. 2nd Lt. CP Healy, B.P. 2nd Lt. N Trask, W.V. 2nd Lt. B Erfurth, R.L. Sgt. R Yoak, E.B. Sgt. E Gorman, E.J. Sgt. RW Higgins, R.S. Sgt. LW Laird, J.L. Sgt. TG Kolodziejski, J.J. Sgt. RCM Morriset, H.J. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 577th Sqdn. A/C 079 |
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P Gates, H.W. 2nd Lt. CP Day, J.G. 2nd Lt. N Siwy, W.J. 2nd Lt. B Harrison, W.F. Sgt. R Frigo, H.M. Sgt. E Baker, R.E. Sgt. RW Talcott, W.J. Sgt. LW Lamkin, R.B. Sgt. TG Ryan, W.M. Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 697 |
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P Sisson, T.M. 2nd Lt. CP Cranson, W.N. 2nd Lt. N Greening, D.J. 2nd Lt. B White, E.D. Sgt. R Strausbaugh, R.L. Sgt. E Robinson, J.C. Sgt. RW Jones, M.R. Sgt. LW VanAmburg, C.C. Sgt. TG Kruse, E.K. Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 542 |
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P Adsit, B.D. 2nd Lt. CP Weber, M. F/O N Wedgeworth, Q.R. 2nd Lt. B Timmons, K.L. S/Sgt. R Close, H.R. S/Sgt. E McDonald, R.C. S/Sgt. RW Ritty, P.M. S/Sgt. LW Anderson, W.G. S/Sgt. TG Taylor, H.T. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 772 |
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P Mayer, E.H. 1st Lt. CP Fligge, S.G. 2nd Lt. N Burros, R.S. 2nd Lt. B Crosby, P.E. 2nd Lt. R Hatfield, H.C. T/Sgt. E Fickel, S.A. T/Sgt. RW Gibson, C.P. S/Sgt. LW Robinson, M.M. S/Sgt. TG Fulton, C.E. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 495 |
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P Vaden, J.C. 2nd Lt. CP Tichenor, N.K. 2nd Lt. N Vrable, E.G. 2nd Lt. B Sieg, R.J. 2nd Lt. R Crockett, J.G. S/Sgt. E Perry, C.E.O. S/Sgt. RW Wojtowicz, C.T. S/Sgt. LW Beaton, S.O. S/Sgt. TG Smith, C.W. S/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 313 |
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P Joyce, J.F. 2nd Lt. CP Bowman, J.A. 2nd Lt. N McQuade, R.N. F/O B Andrews, Q.Q. S/Sgt. R Brown, J.F. T/Sgt. E Albino, A. T/Sgt. RW Gorham, R.L. Sgt. LW Kurkomelis, G.C. S/Sgt. TG Richter, R.H. S/Sgt. RCM Frappier, H.A. T/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 240 |
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P Case, W.D. 2nd Lt. CP Griffin, R.E. 2nd Lt. N Gullick, C.H. 2nd Lt. B McCoy, F.W. S/Sgt. R Black, C.B. S/Sgt. E Kidd, J.L. S/Sgt. RW Chanson, M.C. S/Sgt. LW Johnson, R.L. S/Sgt. TG Lutes, M.A. S/Sgt. S-27 Belsky, M. T/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 916 |
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P Henning, J.C. 2nd Lt. CP Moser, F.E. Jr. 2nd Lt. N Humiston, M.R. 2nd Lt. B Regan, J.H. Sgt. R Wilkins, R.A. Sgt. E Regester, R.B. Sgt. RW Stockard, J.C. Sgt. LW McLaughlin, E.J. Sgt. TG Davis, G.L. Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 578th Sqdn. A/C 477 |
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P Fox, J.E. 1st Lt. CP Sampley, T.A. 2nd Lt. N Johnson, M.S. 1st Lt. B Robinson, D.T. 1st Lt. R Tameling, H. T/Sgt. E Smith, B.F. T/Sgt. RW Seever, B.H. S/Sgt. LW Turner, M.E. S/Sgt. TG Davis, C.L. S/Sgt. RCM Hairston, R.T. T/Sgt. |
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12 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 958 |
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CA Sather, H. Maj. P Daley, J.C. Capt. CP Stebner, O.G. 1st Lt. N Thomas, C.P. 1st Lt. B Cunningham, V.J. 1st Lt. R Firquain, O.S. T/Sgt. E Minster, G.E. T/Sgt. RW Bevill, B.T. S/Sgt. LW Cole, R.A. S/Sgt. TG Berry, J.F. S/Sgt. PN Czyzewicz, C.H. 2nd Lt. NV Bailey, D.C. 2nd Lt. |
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12 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 670 |
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P Teipel, H.N. 1st Lt. CP Karas, M. 2nd Lt. N Polansky, M.L. 2nd Lt. B Flory, D.L. 2nd Lt. R Goodson, E. T/Sgt. E Rabine, V.A. T/Sgt. RW Conrad, D.E. S/Sgt. LW Hodoian, J.C. S/Sgt. TG McConnell, H.M. S/Sgt. NV Vasconcellos, H.M. 1st Lt. PN Moss, J.R. 2nd Lt. |
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12 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 459 |
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P Beder, J. 1st Lt. CP Samsell, J.A. 1st Lt. N Matishowski, J. 1st Lt. B Murray, J.G. 1st Lt. R Murgatroyd, R.S. T/Sgt. E Morley, J.P. T/Sgt. RW Carr, R.P. S/Sgt. LW Roever, C.H. S/Sgt. TG Schodrof, R.H. S/Sgt. PN Shumaker, M.C. 2nd Lt. NV McDevitt, J.P. 2nd Lt. |
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12 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 628 |
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CA Martin, M.K. Lt. Col. P Caldwell, R.R. Capt. CP Peters, M.J. 1st Lt. N Thornburgh, J.W. 1st Lt. B Good, R.E. Capt. R Westerfield, M.M. T/Sgt. E Munden, F.R. T/Sgt. RW Maher, T.O. S/Sgt. LW Conn, J.G. S/Sgt. TG Bennett, D.F. Cpl. PN Walters, J.E. 1st Lt. NV Edmundson, R.H. 1st Lt. |
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12 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 385 |
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P Kerr, D.R. 1st Lt. CP Fabiani, H.L. 2nd Lt. N Boettcher, R.E. 1st Lt. B Copple, R.N. 1st Lt. R Abraham, L.J. T/Sgt. E Smith, J.W. T/Sgt. RW Johnson, E.W. S/Sgt. LW Richardson, W.C. S/Sgt TG Harmon, G.E. S/Sgt. PN Mintz, H.B. 2nd Lt. NV Slagle, R.B. 2nd Lt. |
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12 Mar 1945 579th Sqdn. A/C 145 |
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P Solomon, R.H. Capt. CP Kressig, E.L. 1st Lt. N Gridley, C.V. Jr. 1st Lt. B Mace, J.E. 1st Lt. R Herzlich, L. T/Sgt. E Moeller, H.E. T/Sgt. RW Farquharson, G. S/Sgt. LW Psyk, E.L. S/Sgt. TG Capik, J.H. S/Sgt. PN Cleverdon, R.N. 1st Lt. NV Bader, C.H. 1st Lt. |
