12^th AIR FORCE

57^th BOMB WING

340^th BOMB GROUP (M)

MISSION APRIL 4, 1945

486^th , 487^th, and 489^th Squadrons April 4, 1945

Photo Credit: Herman Voss

Calliano , Italy today

Photo Credit: Herman Voss

Calliano and Rovereto, Italy today

B-25s Flying Brenner Pass- Google Earth Video Animation!!!

57^th Bomb Wing History “Battle of Brenner Pass” (53 mb-right mouse button save-as file) A must read 114 page booklet with great photos describing the history and strategy of the 57^th Bomb Wing and 340^th Bomb Group from July 1944 to May 1945 (Operations Strangle and Bingo). The Germans could repair track in a day and bridges in about one week! (Credit to Herman Voss and Dan Setzer)

Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini at the Brenner Pass 1940 YouTube

April 4, 1945

486^th Today was a sad day for the squadron. Nine planes hit Calliano #3 and six went to Rovereto with three chaff and phosphorous. The flak was heavy and accurate. The plane piloted by Lts. Ellis and Medus went down somewhere south of Lake Garda. We can only hope they got out of it all right.

Losses in Action:

1st Lt. John L. Ellis
2nd Lt. Glen J. Medus
T/Sgt. Joseph Kulynych
S/Sgt. Robert D. King
S/Sgt. Raleigh Mason
S/Sgt. Carl R. Nielson

487^th Rovereto Railroad bridge and gun positions - 15 ships. First box did not bomb due to Bombardier failing to pick up target. Second box pattern was not fully observed because of flak hits just as bombs were away knocking out sight. Phosphorus bombs hit in area left of gun positions. Seven ships were holed and F/O Papiernik was slightly wounded as a result of intense flak.

Text Credit: Dan Setzer and 57^th Bomb Wing website