Herman Goering Tank Works was the target of the 69th mission of the 764th Bomb Squadron. Founded as a steel plant in 1937, it was repurposed in 1941 to build replacement tank parts for the war effort, making it a prime target for Allied bombings.
The 764th Bomb Squadron attacked on July 25, 1944 but soon after the attack had commenced, the squadron was attacked by 150 enemy aircraft. Some of the aircraft flown by the 764th, at this point, were piloted by new recruits and were not prepared to engage with other attacking planes, so the enemy had an advantage. Using their sheer numbers and upper hand, the enemy was able to pick off many of the 764th from the back and severely damage others. Most pilots of the 764th were forced to eject.
Eight of the twenty-one planes deployed on the mission returned to base. One of these eight was piloted by 1st Lieutenant Douglas A. Herrin, and his plane was so badly damaged it could not be flown again and had to be salvaged.
Pictured: Herman Goering Tank Works
The 764th Bomb Squadron attacked on July 25, 1944 but soon after the attack had commenced, the squadron was attacked by 150 enemy aircraft. Some of the aircraft flown by the 764th, at this point, were piloted by new recruits and were not prepared to engage with other attacking planes, so the enemy had an advantage. Using their sheer numbers and upper hand, the enemy was able to pick off many of the 764th from the back and severely damage others. Most pilots of the 764th were forced to eject.
Eight of the twenty-one planes deployed on the mission returned to base. One of these eight was piloted by 1st Lieutenant Douglas A. Herrin, and his plane was so badly damaged it could not be flown again and had to be salvaged.
Pictured: Herman Goering Tank Works