467th B-24 Heavy Bombardment Group of the USAF

 

The Attack on Leipheim, Germany

March 18, 1945

The two aerial photos below show the attack by the 96th Bomb Wing on the town of Leipheim in Germany.  The one on the left was taken at the time of the attack; the one on the right shows the 1000' and 2000' circles centered at the MPI (the target point) which were added to the original picture by photo interpreters; this was included in a newsletter which was periodically circulated among the members of the 2nd Air Division which included the 96th Bomb Wing which in turn included the 467th Group of which Major Ogden was the Intelligence Officer. .
March 21, 1945                         TARGET VICTORY                       CONFIDENTIAL
        467TH,   466TH,   458TH

  JUNK  JERRY JETS

96th WING'S ALL-100% LEIPHAM JOB

 

TOPPED BY GROUP'S 85% AVG IN 1000!

 

      It's daily more apparent that the Luftwaffe's last stand relies on racy jet-propelled fighters.  The surest place to smash them is in the incubator ... that's why the attack on Leipheim, assembly and testing center for Me-262s, represents a gigantic air battle won before the breathless Jerry could swing his saved-up Sunday punch.

 

     Best score was by the 467th Group, building upward from excellent to perfect.  All three of its squadrons smacked 100% within 2000' of the MPI ... Lead corraling 70% within 1000' (Lt. A. MacGrew, lean bombardier).  To beat that, 2nd squadron bullseyed 90% within 1000' (Lt. J. Boyer, lead bombardier).  So what does F/O Overlook, leading 3rd squadron, produce but 95% within 1000' of the MPI.  Group average, 100% within 2000', 85% within 1000' of the assigned MPI!

 

     Only such non-mortal competition could nose out the similar delivery of 466th and 458th Bomb Groups on the same target.  466th averaged 100% in 2000', 79% within 1000' ... 458th averaged 99% within 2000', 60% within 1000'.  Lead bombardiers were Lt. Friganovitch, Lt. De Boer, Lt. Farnholtz (from 466th); and Lt. G. Ss. Griffith. Lt. E. J. Jacques, Lt. V. H. Hughs (from 485th).

 

All three groups are members of 96th Bomb Wing.  Our best hit usually selects one group only, but such a performance by an entire combat Wing is even more worthy of acclaim and study by all other members of 2nd Air Division.

 

The experimental air center at Leipheim has offered frequent hunting both to strafers of 2AD fighter groups and the heavy bombers.  Constantly being "rebuilt", it now sprawls senseless again.