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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| The 483rd Bomb Group display features a 60-foot long cutaway-replica of a B-17 bomber. |
WARNER ROBINS, GA - Sixty five years ago this Friday the world celebrated Victory In Europe Day (V-E Day). On May 7, 1945 the German Army signed an instrument of unconditional surrender at Eisenhower's headquarters at Rheims, France. On May 8, 1945 the Allies officially declared May 7th as V-E or Liberation Day across Europe.
The Museum of Aviation remembers that day with a large display on the 483rd Bomb Group, a B-17 bomber unit based in Italy that helped end the war in Europe. The display features a unique 60-foot long cut-away replica of a B-17 bomber showing the key sections of the aircraft including the bomb bay, gunners' stations and the secretive Norden bombsight which helped aircrews drop their bombs accurately on their targets.
The 483rd flew a total of 215 combat missions during 14 months of combat duty in 1944-1945. Targets were the most heavily defended in Europe with severe antiaircraft fire ("flak") and fighter attacks -- among them Ploesti, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Wiener Neustadt, Budapest, Bucharest, and Ruhland.
The unit participated in the invasion of southern France, and took part in the first shuttle mission into Mirgorod, Russia, where it bombed a target on the way in, and on the way out. During one tragic mission attacking Memmingen, Germany, the 483rd lost 14 of 26 aircraft due to an ambush by over 200 German fighter aircraft. In spite of the lack of protection from friendly fighters, the 483rd gunners shot down 53 German fighters that day and claimed another 25 probables.
Of the original 646 crew members sent to Italy in March 1944, 38 percent were either killed in action or missing in action. Overall the 483rd lost a total of 66 B-17 bombers in actual combat and a total of 760 crew members were shot down. Of the 760, 214 were killed in action, 315 became POW's, and 231 evaded capture and returned to duty.
Although VE signaled the end of fighting in Europe, America and other Allied countries were not done with the war. It would take several more months of brutal fighting to end the war in the Pacific with Japan.
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TIMOTHY A. FENWICK
24 Feb 2011, 16:40
WHILE STATIONED AT ROBINS AFB, GA (WARNER ROBINS) I HAD THE PRIVILEDGE OF
BEING A TOUR GUIDE AT THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM. THE 483RD EXHIBIT IS AS
EXCELLENT AS ALL THE EXHIBITS ARE. THOUGH MOST TIMES YOUR VISIT IS
SELF-GUIDED, YOU CAN DIRECT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE VOLUNTEERS IN ANY OF THE
BUILDINGS WHO HAVE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE!! MY USAF RETIREMENT CEREMONY WAS
HELD AT THE 483RD EXHIBIT BECAUSE MY FATHER WAS A MAINTENANCE/MUNITIONS
INSPECTOR (S/SGT) - WHEN I ASKED THE CURATOR FOR HELP LOCATING PHOTOS OF MY
FATHER THEY BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP. TO THIS DAY THIS MUSEUM &
ESPECIALLY THE 483RD EXHIBIT HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. ITS WELL
WORTH THE VISIT!!
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