Official publication of the
390th Memorial Museum
Foundation

WINTER

The 390th Group’s most highly
Successful Mission
(Editor’s Choice)

Marienburg 9 October 1943

With the growth in the Allied heavy bomber activities, the Germans moved the FW plant from Bremen to the Marienburg area which was thought to be out of range for our B-17s. Marienburg is located in what was then East Prussia well beyond bombing activities, up to that time, by either the British or the Americans.

On 9 October 1943 the 390th Bomb Group along with four other groups, total of 100 B-17s, was assigned the main target, the FW assembly plant at Marienburg. The route to and from the target was carefully selected in order to preserve fuel and oxygen supplies. The altitude for the mission was 12,000 feet. Other groups including B-24s were assigned diversionary targets to Anklam, Danzig and Gdynia.

The 390th Bomb Group was led by the base commander, Edgar Wittan, and William Pennebaker as command pilots. Bob Waltz was in the pilot’s seat as the lead pilot. They flew “Cabin in the Sky” (the only original aircraft to survive the war of the 37 aircraft assigned to the Group). As a back up airplane, James Geary as pilot and Joseph Gemmill, 570th squadron commander, as command pilot, flew in “Pistol Packin Mama”.

This mission caught the Germans by complete surprise. The target was completely destroyed. The low altitude and lack of anti-aircraft fire was permitted because of the unexpected attack. The 1570 miles was covered with the mission duration of 11 hrs. and 47 min. No fighter escort was capable for the long mission nor was it required. The 390th Group did not suffer a single loss.

Comments:

General George Arnold: “Results devastating”

Air Marshall Sir Charles Portal, RAF: “Most perfect example in history of the accurate distribution of bombs over target”

Note:
The Museum has a preliminary display board, 5 feet high and 8 feet wide, of this mission. It is one of the items that had been proposed to the Veterans Association to be supported. Funds are needed to make this a permanent and more presentable display. Authorization is still pending.

A. Anzanos