Bombs on Lokeren

the true story about thursday 11 May 1944

De Munck Andr - 2009

Simulation of the bombardment

BOMBS ON LOKEREN, BELGIUM

Foreword

The true story about Thursday 11 May 1944

In May 2004 the walking exhibition and brochure(1) A Deadly Mistake by Alain Debbaut and Bjrn Rzoska appeared concerning the bombardment on Lokeren in 1944. The exhibition left but one question unanswered: why? Some people have called the bombing a mistake, the railway of Dendermonde being the target, but being confused with Lokeren. Others are convinced that the factories in Lokeren were the target. This proposition gained extra strength after reading a letter of Remi Van Nieuwenborgh, addressed to the Historical Society of Lokeren in 2007 (to see further). Fact remains though that the bombing could still have been an unfortunate mistake. Surely after sixty-five years it was time to get to the truth? With the current resources of the internet and the fact that more and more files have become publicly accessible, the moment seemed opportune to find the correct answers to the questions still present concerning that 11th May 1944. That search started half-way 2007 and would lead to this publication. It was not the intention to place any blame or to find a "guilty party", but to reconstruct the historical facts of that day. To conclude this publication we also look at the suffering and the destruction which the bombardment brought to the city of Lokeren. The personal accounts are however restricted to people related to or being part of the De Munck family. With special thanks to Marc BENSON, USA De Munck Andr Heilige Geestmolenstraat 165 9160 Lokeren, Belgium andre.demunck@fulladsl.be andre.demunck@ua.ac.be
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Introduction
By means of army documents retrieved from American archives, we have tried to reconstruct May 11 from the point of view of the soldiers who were involved in the air raid. A first clue was found in the deposition of Remi Van Nieuwenborgh(2), who wrote a letter to the regional society of geography and history De Souvereinen of Lokeren, describing he had been a RAF (Royal Air Force) volunteer in training in the United Kingdom during the second world war. He told of a visit to an American base, about 14km of New Market in Suffolk (GB). At this base he had seen the name Lokeren on a list of bombing targets. His discription lead us to Burry St. Edmunds, home of the Rougham airbase, where in 1944 the 94th Heavy Bombing Group (BG) was stationed. By means of a forum(3) of the 8th American Air Force (8th AAF) I made contact with Marc Benson, whose father had been a pilot at 94th around that time. With his help and knowledge of bombardment flights, I continued my research. A range of responses to my questions produced two Bombing Groups as possible participants to the raid of 11 May 1944. These were the earlier-mentioned 94th BG and the 385th BG, stationed on Great Ashfield at Suffolk. Research showed that the 8th American Air Force had planned their 351th operation on 11 May 1944(4). In the spring of 1944 mainly marshalling yards and railroad junctions in Belgium and northern France had been the targets of the allied air forces. These bombings had been carried out in preparation of the landing in Normandy (D-Day) on June 6, 1944. The goal was sever the link between the interior territory and the beaches during the first days of the invasion. This would allow German reinforcements and reserve troops, which were stationed further away from the coast, to be stopped for as long as possible. The fact that Belgium was also bombed was part of a plan to deceive the Germans. The allies wanted the Germans to believe an inva- 63 -

8th AAF

94th BG

385th BG

sion would be carried out at Pas de Calais, the shortest route between England and the continent. Twelve Combat Wings carried out an operation against eleven marshalling yards and a railroad junction in Belgium, south-west Germany and Luxembourg in the late afternoon. These were carried out by 1st and the 3rd Bombing Division (BD). 609 bombers were used that day, of which 547 reached their target. The targets were the following: 1st Bombing Division: Saarbrucken M/Y(5); used B-17 planes above target: 58 Luxemburg M/Y; 53 Trier - Ehrang M/Y; 60 Trier - Konz - Karthaus M/Y; 55 Volklingen M/Y; 16 Thionville M/Y; 12 Bettenbourg M/Y; 19 3rd Bombing Division: Brussels M/Y (Schaerbeek); 49 Brussels Midi M/Y; 55 Lige M/Y; 119 Malines RR/J(6); 20 TO(7); 31 [63 - 2 - (8 + 4) = 49]

Six Combat Wings, with a total of 274 B-17s of the 3rd BD went to Belgium: two wings went to Lige and four to Brussels. By means of the NARA(8) in Washington we could obtain the mission reports for these bomb groups on that day. These reports allowed us to get an accurate picture of the activities of the various bombing groups on that day. When we compared the mission reports of the different bomb groups to each other, we made the observation that the mission on Brussels M/Y needed further research. According to the target coordinates, the 94th and the 385th flew close to Lokeren on their bomb run. The 94th A Bombing Group formed the lead group of the 4th A Combat Wing with twenty-one planes and was on its 131st mission that day. The 385th B Bombing Group formed the lead group of 4th B Combat Wing and was also made up of 21 planes. The twelve planes of the 385th A Composite Group and nine planes of the 94th B Bombing Group also belonged to this 4th B Wing Bombing Group. The 4th B Wing Bombing Group was carrying out its 106th mission that day. Every formation was made up of three squadrons: lead squadron, low squadron and
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high squadron. Schematically this looked as follows:

The official diagrams show the relative positions of the aircraft on a flat piece of paper, but in the air, each three plane element was slightly lower and displaced to the left of the three B-17's ahead. No plane was directly behind another. This formation minimized turbulence from other aircrafts, while keeping the bomb pattern as compact as possible.

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Crew and planes

The crew of a B-17 bomber existed in principle of 12 crewmen. These were a pilot, a copilot, a navigator, a bombardier, an engineer and upper turret gunner, a radio operator and four gunners (left waist, right waist, bail turret and tail).

1. Evacuation of the B-17

94th A BG lead group of 4th A CW Lead squadron: Pos. A/C nr. name or pilot #1 42-3252 Col. OConner and 1st Lt. Samer- dyke; Sweetey Betty #2 42-102584 Bottled in Bond #3 42-39775 Frenesi #4 42-102574 Florencia #5 42-5881 House of Lords #6 42-37829 The Better Half High squadron #1 42-97153 #2 42-38125 #3 42-30301 #4 42-97268 #5 42-31653 #6 42-31599 #7 42-97358 #8 42-97333 #9 42-97248 Daring Doris Puddin Idiots Delight Million Dollar Baby Eire Ferry Boots and her Buddies Ordnance Express Duchess Tough Teddy
2. Nose art - 66 -

Low squadron #1 42-97082 #2 42-39896 #3 42-97378 #4 42-102530 #5 42-107180 #6 42-30439

Mission Mistress no name on list Miss Gloria II no name on list The Eagles Wrath Donna Lou II

385th B BG lead group of 4th B CW Lead squadron #1 42-39951 Col. Riva #2 42-38049 Lt. Niemann; The Golden Goose #3 42-31171 Lt. Gray #4 42-32008 Lt. White; Li'l Audrey #5 42-31864 Lt. Faix; Remember Us #6 42-31928 Lt. Coleman; Powerful Katrina High squadron #1 42-31833 #2 42-31778 #3 42-3355 #4 42-38199 #5 42-97211 #6 42-31325 #7 42-31413 #8 42-102486 #9 42-31787 Low squadron #1 42-102636 #2 42-102431 #3 42-107226 #4 42-31762 #5 42-102465 #6 42-37952 Capt. Alexander; Mickey II Lt. Wells; Wells Cargo Lt. Seehof; Nan B Lt. HughesHairs Breath Lt. Gunn Lt. Calderwood; Honkey Tonk Sal Lt. King Lt. Jones Lt. Worster Lt. Swerdlin; Sleepytime Gal Lt. Mc Creary; Slick Chick Lt. Shock Lt. Sherrel; Junior Lt. Percival; Wee Willie Wilber Lt. Engel; Patches

385th A Composite BG low group of 4th B CW Lead squadron #1 42-102481 Capt. Lancaster and Maj. Richard Kentucky Winner #2 42-32078 Lt. Baumann; Barbara-B
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#3 #4 #5 #6

42-107031 42-107109 42-73966 42-107054

Lt. Turner Lt. Leonard; Stork Club Lt. Robbins; Swinging Door Lt. Mc Sweeney; Vat 69

High squadron (94th B) #1 42-31906 Lt. Purnell; no name on list #2 42-37922 Skinny #3 42-31540 Miss Donna Mae II #4 42-102380 Renovation #5 42-102456 Shady Lady #6 42-102577 BouncinAnnie #7 42-97316 Tommy #8 42-30382 Lt. Reid; Horrible Hanks #9 42-31704 Rebel Queen Low squadron #1 42-38135 #2 42-5912 #3 42-31742 #4 42-31638 #5 42-30827 #6 42-107135 Lt. Spencer; Dear Mom Lt. Dahlberg; Thunder Bird Lt. La Penna; Joker Lt. Dittmer; Big Gas Bird Lt. Rosener; Roundtrip Ticket III Lt. Mc Neeley; Homesick Angel

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3. Crew of Capt. Lancaster

4. Crew of Lt. La Penna

5. Crew of Lt. Dittmer - 69 -

Take off and formation

94th A group Flying as the leader in the 4th A Combat Wing, this group took off first between 15.20h and 15.54h. Group formation happened in the surroundings of the base (Burry St. Edmunds) at an altitude of 1.500ft (457m). The group then climbed in formation up to 17.000ft (5.180m). There were twenty-one planes in the formation at that moment. The English coast was left at Ordfordness at 17.30h at an altitude of 20.000ft (6.096m). Weather above England was fair but misty. The temperature at altitude was -24C and there was a windspeed of 46mph. 94th B group - 385th group The 94th, that was part of the composed group, took off with nine planes between 15.00h - 15.05h. They formed the high squadron in the 385th A Composite Group. This formation had to fly low squadron in 4th B Combat Wing. The formation formed in the surroundings of the base Burry St. Edmunds on an altitude of 1.500ft (457m). When the formation had been formed they flew to Great Ashfield, the home base of the 385th BG. Upon arrival there the lead squadron had been already formed, whereas the low squadron were still coming into formation. The 94th BG took its place as high squadron at an altitude of 2.500ft (762m). Ordordness was left at an altitude of 20.000ft (6.096m). 385th A and 385th B No exact information is available on the take-off of this bomb group. There is a note at the side of a form stating take-off occurred at 15.15h.

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Courses of flight
385th B Lead Group 5145 N - 0405 E (Dirksland, Walcher Island) 5107 N - 0400 E (I.P.; Lokeren) 385th A Composite 94th A Lead Group 5144 N - 0352 E (Scharendijke, Walcher Island) 5114 N - 0348 E (Sas van Gent, Zeeland) 5107 N - 0400 E (I.P.; Lokeren) 5047 N - 0428 E (Brussels) 5144 N - 0357 E (Brouwershaven, Walcher Island) 5107 N - 0400 E (I.P.; Lokeren) 5053 N - 0424 E (Brussels) 5047 N - 0425 E (R.P.(9); Brussels South)

We make notice of the fact that for these three formations the I.P. (Initial Point) is situated above Lokeren, in the district "Kopkapel". The I.P. of a bombardment flight was the point where the bomb doors opened and the actual bombing run began. It was the rendezvous point where the various formations met before flying in a straight line towards the bombing target (the bomb run). A typical bomb run was approximately 20 miles (32km) long. From the I.P. onwards, the bombardier took over the aircraft. The pilot only controlled the speed and altitude of the plane on the bomb run; all other controls were in the hands of the bombardier. This was the most critical phase of the flight and took approximately eight minutes. There were many flights in the surroundings of Lokeren that day. The bulk of the planes seems to fly over Dendermonde, a city close to Lokeren. In his diary, Frans De Koninck(10) writes among other things: 17.55h: Some hard to distinguish bomber formations pass at very high altitudes. 18.15h: The siren sound to signal the end of the bomb alarm. On that moment there is a lot of activity of heavy bombers very high in blue sky. 18.20h: 108 clearly distinguishable bombers fly over in five groups of approximately twenty each in the direction of Brussels. Other aircraft fly over from all directions continuously. 18.30h: A range of bomb explosions is clearly audible and the bombers continue to circulate above our head. As only three formations were identified above Lokeren by the tower guard of the Passive Air-raid Precautions(11), these must correspond to the 94th BG and the 385th BG. The other formations of the 3rd and 4th Combat Wing must have flown further away from Lokeren, so that they were not mentioned or noticed by the tower guard (in the church-tower, center of town) .
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The reports(12) for 11th May: - alarm with siren: 17.40h - bomb explotions: 18.15h - alarm with siren: 24.00h

6. Flight shedule of the 94th BG on 11 May 1944

7. Flight shedule of the 385th BG on 11 May 1944 - 72 -

8. Flight lines to target and return - 73 -

Composition of the formations

Going on the noted time at the I.P., 18.13h, the 94th A Lead Group must have been the first formation that flew over Lokeren. Second was the 385th B Lead Group, followed by the 385th Composite Group. The first formation was composed of twenty-one planes, six in the lead squadron, six in the low squadron and nine in the high squadron. This formation of bombers was led by Col. O Connor and 1st Lt. Samerdyke and flew at an altitude of 20.000ft (6.096m). 94th A Bomb Group 4th A Combat Wing
a-flight lead squadron 20.000ft
Col. O Connor / 1Lt. Samerdyke Sweaty Betty 31252 #1 12x500 Frenesi Bottled in Bond 39775 102584 #3 #2 12x500 12x500 Florencia 102574 #4 12x500 The Better Half House of Lords 37829 5881 #6 #5 12x500 12x500

c-flight low squadron

b-flight high squadron

Mission Mistress 97082 #1 12x500 no name listed Miss Gloria II 97378 39896 #3 #2 12x500 12x500 no name listed 102530 #4 Donna Lou II 12x500 The Eagles Wrath 30439 107180 #6 #5 12x500 12x500

Daring Doris 97153 #1 12x500 Idiotss Delight Puddin 30301 38125 #2 #3 12x500 12x500 Million Dollar Baby 97268 #4 Boots and her Buddies, Gloria 12x500 Eine Ferry 31599 31653 #6 #5 12x500 12x500 Ordnance Express 97358 #7 12x500 Duchess Tough Teddy 97248 97333 #8 #9 12x500 12x500

All planes had been charged with 12 x 500 lb bombs (226,7kg).

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The second formation had been initially also been composed of twenty-one planes, but two planes, no. 7726 of Lt. Shock and no. 1235 of Lt. Calderwood, had left the mission with due to technical problems and had returned to the base. The lead squa-dron, consisting of six planes and led by Col. Riva, flew at 20.000ft (6.096m). Above target the low squadron still consisted of five planes and flew at an altitude of 19.700ft (6.005m). The high squadron had been composed above target of eight bombers and had an altitude of 20.300ft (6.187m). 385th B Bomb Group 4th B Combat Wing
a-flight lead squadron 20.000ft
Col. Riva 951 #1 10x500 Lt. Gray Lt. Niemann 049 1171 #3 #2 12x500 10x500 Lt. White 008 #4 Lt. Coleman 10x500 Lt. Faix 1928 864 #6 #5 10x500 12x500

c-flight low squadron 19.700ft

b-flight high squadron 20.300ft

Lt. Swerdlin 636 #1 12x500 Lt. Shock Lt. Mc Creary 431 7226 #3 #2 10x500 10x500 Lt. Sherrel 762 #4 10x500 Lt. Engel Lt. Percival 952 465 #6 #5 10x500 10x500

Capt. Alexander 833 #1 12x500 Lt. Seehof Lt. Wells 355 1778 #3 #2 12x500 10x500 Lt. Hughes 8199 #4 10x500 Lt. Calderwood Lt. Gunn 1335 #6 10x500 7211 #5 10x500

not bombarded returned bombs or dropped off in sea back to basis

Lt. King 1413 #7 10x500 Lt. Worster Lt. Jones 787 2486 #9 #8 10x500 12x500

Fifteen planes had been charged with 10 x 500 lb bombs, six planes had 12 x 500 lb bombs on board.

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The third, and for Lokeren fatal formation was the composed group with planes of the 385th BG and the 94th BG (nine planes). The twenty one planes were subdivided into six lead planes, six planes in the low squadron and nine in the high squadron. The lead squadron flew at an altitude of 19.000ft (5.792m) under the lead of Capt. Lancaster and Maj. Richard. The low squadron flew at 18.700ft (5.700m) and the high squadron at 20.000ft (6.096m). 385th A Bomb Group 4th B Combat Wing
a-flight lead squadron 19.000ft
Capt. Lancaster / Maj. Richard 481 #1 12x500 Lt. Turner Lt. Baumann 7031 078 #3 #2 12x500 12x500 Lt. Leonard 109 #4 12x500 Lt. Mc Sweeney Lt. Robbins 054 3966 #6 #5 12x500 12x500

c-flight low squadron 18.700ft

b-flight high squadron 94th B 20.000ft

Lt. Spencer 8135 #1 12x500 Lt. La Penna Lt. Dahlberg 742 912 #2 #3 10x500 10x500 Lt. Dittmer 638 #4 12x500 Lt. Mc Neeley Lt. Rosener 7135 827 #6 #5 12x500 12x500

Lt. Purnell 31906 #1 12x500 Skinny Miss Donna Mae II 31540 37922 #3 #2 12x500 12x500 Reno-Vation 102380 #4 12x500 Bouncin Annie Shady Lady 102577 102456 #5 #6 12x500 12x500 Tommy 97316 #7 Rebel Queen 12x500 Horrible Hanks No name listed 31704 #9 12x500 30382 #8 12x500

not bombarded returned bombs or dropped off in sea

This formation had been charged with 12 x 500 lb (19x) and 10 x 500 lb (2x).

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Type of planes and equipments

The mission on Brussels M/Y on 11th May 1944 was carried out with bombers of the type B-17, the so-called flying fortress. This plane had a length of 22,70m, a wing span of 31,65m, a height of 5,80m and weighed approximately 26.000kg when charged. It was equipped with four 1.200 horsepower engines (895kW). It could be charged with bombs of 100, 300, 500, 1.000 or 2.000 lb, going up from two to twenty bombs depending on the weight of the loaded bombs.

9. Bomb loading in a B-17

The bombs that fell in Lokeren were of the type "AN-M64 - 500 lb". This bomb was American produced and was used against ammunition dumps, railways, buildings and light ships. The bombs were generally filled with TNT or amatol, that took up approximately 51% of the weight. The total length of the bomb, including the tail, was between 51 and 59,16 inch (129150cm) and a diameter of 14 inch (35,5cm). The bombs were painted olive green and had a one inch (25,4mm) broad yellow line around the nose and the back. The centre of mass was marked by a inch (6,4mm) yellow link.

10. Bomb bay

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11. 500 lb type AN-64

12. Loading of the a B-17

13. B-17 in flight

14. Open bomb bay - 78 -

The B-17 was the first large bomber in the Second World War and was mainly used in Europe. Boeing built approximately 12.700 aircraft of this type. It had a of ten person crew. Its speed limit was 431km/h, the cruising speed was around 273km/h and it could fly between 3.000 4.800km after take off without filling up. The first prototype was tested in July 1935. Some B-17s were already in use on 7 December 1941, but the production would increase rapidly from then on. In May 1945 production of was stopped. Thirteen .50 guns protected the plane and the bomb cargo of approximately 2.700kg. A B-17 was not a comfortable aircraft. At high altitudes the crew needed to use oxygen maskes because there was no cabin pressure, like in the aircrafts of today. The two waist gunners were in open doors from both sides during a confrontation. The crew were been dressed in heavy attire insulated with wool. During battle the flying fortress was reliable and stern. It was a plane which was not easily taken down. It could continue to reach its base even when heavily damaged.

15. Thunderbird P-47

16. Mustang P-51

The support for the bombers on May 11 came from fighter aircraft of the P-47 (Thunderbird) and P-51 (Mustang) types. These fighters joined the bomber formations as soon as they came above hostile territory. Two fighter groups accompanied the heavy bombers which attacked Brussels. These were formed by the 66th Fighter Wing with thirty-four P-47 planes and the 67th Fighter Wing with thirty P-47 and twenty P-51 planes. This protection was very much appreciated by the crew of B-17s. The reports, made that day, said that P-47 and P-51 sometimes came too close to the bombers and that they carried out "simulated attacks" on the formations, as a result of which their noses were aimed at the bombers. This "playing" between fighters in and around the formation was also confirmed by an eyewitness in Lokeren(13) who saw it happen just before the attack. The P-47 was been armed with eight .50 guns and ten 5 inches rockets. The P-51 had six .50 guns and also ten 5 inches rockets.
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17. Formation P-47's

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Bombardment
From the three formations there is only one that reports Lokeren in his mission reports. That is, as it happens, the 385th Composite Group, composed from two BG. This group has as I.P. 5107 N - 0400 E, which lay at the north-east of the center of Lokeren, off the district "Kopkapel". All reports that day report state there was a ground haze from the hostile coast, which became heavier as they flew further landinwards. The lead navigator, 1st Lt. Donald Bridges of the 94th BG, mentioned in his report that there were no clouds, but that the ground haze was serious and that it was very difficult to find their control points. The ground haze continued to get worse and it was impossible to observe the target. The bombardier could observe his M.P.I.(14) when the plane flew exactly above it. Visibility was limited to approximately 3 miles (4,8km), only vertically there was a good visibility. In the operation report of the 385th A Composite Group we read that aircraft 078 (#2) had an accidental bomb release of the leading squadron after turning towards the I.P. This happened at 18.18h. Three planes of the 385th B followed and eight of the 94th B. The bombardier of the lead aircraft (#1) could not take the target and he gave the lead to aircraft #2 of Lt. Bauman who had no bombardier on boards, but only a togglier. A togglier was an enlisted man (usually a Sgt. or a S/Sgt.) who was trained to toggle the bombs and flew in the place of a trained bombardier (an officer). A togglier did not use the Norden Bombsight, but would open the bomb bay doors, etc, and when the lead aircraft dropped their bombs he would salvo his ships bomb load. If the lead ship made a mistake or had an accidental bomb 18. Norden Bombsight release the togglier would not know it and go ahead and also hit his salvo switch. Later in the war toggliers were used quite often to save on bombardier training. In the interrogation form (fig. 24) we can read that the togglier (S/Sgt. R. Carmen) hit the salvo switch accidentally. Later we will see that Lt. Baumann also did not have specific navigator on board. From the 385th, following planes released: 078 (#2) Lt. Baumann 912 (#2) Lt. Dahlberg 638 (#4) Lt. Dittmer 827 (#5) Lt. Rossener. From the squadron that was formed of the 94th B group, eight followed the lead aircraft #2. Plane no. 30382, under command of Lt. M. U. Reid, did not released because the bombardier explained that he was briefed to drop on the lead aircraft #1, which did not bomb.

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The four planes of the 385th dropped 46 bombs on Lokeren on on their flight. The eight planes of the 94th, which also bombarded on plane #2, released 96 bombs. In total then 142 projectiles were dropped on Lokeren. According to the interviews carried out by the Passive Air-raid Precautions after the attack, 129 bomb craters were counted and ten non exploded devices were stored (of which one in 1984). This leaves three entities more than dropped on the ground than the screens had counted, perhaps explaining the large destruction of the houses of the area. On the aerial photograph from 18th July 1944 of Lokeren, destruction is easily visible. The picture covers mainly the town area where the bombs fell. The heavily destroyed Lindestraat, Sterrestraat and the area Veldstraat, Bosmanstraat are clearly recognizable on this picture. The area to the Zelebaan falls outside the range of this photograph.

19. Part of the bombed area. Beneath the site of Sterrestraat and Lindestraat, at the top the Veldstraat and the Bosmanstraat - 82 -

20. Part of the bombed area (photo from 18/07/1944) - 83 -

The bombardier of the lead aircraft #1 (Capt. Lancaster, 481) wanted to carry out a second bomb run, but the pilot interrupted this second one, when he heard that most of planes had already released their bombs. The crew of Lt. M. U. Reid(15) died on 19 May 1944 above Berlin, when their B-17 was hit by a bomb, originating from a higher flying bomber. The left horizontal tail stabilizer of the plane was torn away. This happened with a 1000 lb bomb which was used for this attack. After the hit the plane spun heavily which demolished a wing. Nobody could leave the plane and it crashed. Remarkable enough a set of five photographs(16) was made of this misfortune. During the accident Lt. Reid was a part of the lead squadron and this squadron turned 90 left after their bomb release, while the high squadron was still bombing. The lead squadron passed under the high squadron with fateful consequence for the crew of Miss Donna May II.

21. Lt. Reid incident; you can see how the aircraft was hitten by a 1000 lb bomb on the left tail stabilizer

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On 11 May 1944 he saved a number of citizens of Lokeren from their death by not dropping his bomb cargo. The bombardier of Lt. Reid probably realized that they were not above the bombing target of Brussels. The crew of Lt. Reid flew that 19 May 1944 with Miss Donna May II, plane no. 31540, which also took part in the mission on Lokeren. Lt. Col. O Connor who led the 94th A on May 11, died on 21 June 1944, when he was shot down. It is assumed that he was assassinated on the ground by raging citizens, after he had saved himself with a parachute. Also the flight of the 385th B did not go without flaw. While preparing the bomb run the plexiglas of the bombardier of the lead aircraft 951 (#1) was frozen over. It passed on the lead to aircraft 049 (#2). This plane could no longer aim on time and decided a second run to make. The tail gunner reported however that the other bombers had already released their bombs. Later research showed one bomb from the bomb load of aircraft 049 (#2) had been released by the flak attack. All other B-17s released their bombs because of that one accidental bomb. Besides the lead aircraft 951 (#1) and the second leader 049 (#2), also aircraft 1171 (#3) did not drop its bombs. The time was between 18.24h and 18.26h. The bombs fell at south-west of the target of Brussels M/Y. The 94th A Lead Group reached the I.P. (Lokeren) at 18.13h, made a left turn and opened their bomb doors. They did not use the briefed M.P.I. due to the ground haze and took one that was right of original. Bombs were out at 18.22h. They found the target and the results were thought to be good. There were reported target hits on oil storages. The mission of 11 May 1944 was certainly no undivided success. It had first been planned in the morning, but after take off the task was cancelled and the planes were called back. The mission was formed again in the afternoon with new planes and crews. A fragment from a diary of a pilot of the 94th B that made up a part of the Composite Group: This time we were sent to Brussels, but for the 94th, the mission was a dud. When we crossed the Enemy Coast, the Germans began firing their flak much too close for comfort. I could see the red flashes as the flak burst. When you were close enough to see the fire in the burst, you were too close. Our target was a railroad round house but we missed it by ten miles because our Group Leader accidentally dropped his bombs immediately after opening his bomb bay doors. The Bombardiers in the seventeen other bombers in the Group tripped their bomb release switches upon seeing the Leaders string of bombs falling. We did not hear where those bombs fell, or if innocent Belgium civilians were victims.
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The crew of these flights were mainly late teenagers and young men in their tweties who risked their life in the fight for our freedom every day. There were strickt orders to avoid civilian targets in occupied areas. Although civilian casualties were unevitable during the war, everyone tried their best to avoid them.

22. Miss Donna Mae II, nr 42-31540

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23. Report of the 385th Composite Group - 87 -

24. Interrogation sheet of the 1ste lead A/C of the 385th Composite Group - 88 -

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25. Interrogation sheet of the 2de lead A/C of the 385th Composite Group - 90 -

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26. Report of the 94th Composite Group

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27. Report of the 385th BG

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28. Target Brussels M/Y (Schaerbeek) - reconnaissance photo used for briefing

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Anti-Aircraft Defence, Flak

In 1944, the allied bombardment flights did not encounter much hostility from the German air force. On this mission they had not seen a single hostile fighter. The biggest danger for the bombers came from the anti-aircraft guns (flak) that were installed in a lot of places. The guns were generally concentrated around large cities. The 94th reported "average into intense" flak contact that day. It was little and inaccurate in the surroundings of among Terneuzen, Walcher Island and Antwerp. Intense but generally inaccurate flak was communicated above Brussels. The squadron lost two planes here by flak. The 385th communicated "precise flak but poor" at Heemstede and Walcher Island on the way there. Seen from a distance, the flak in Antwerp was poor. Above the target Brussels it was reported as on average but very precise, with considerable damage as a consequence. Due to the flak gunning the 385th B had three wounded in action and one killed in action, whereas the 385th A counted one serious victim. The fighting damage caused by flak to the aircraft was considerable. For the task of May 11th the assessment for the formations which Lokeren flew over was as follows: 94th A: fifteen damaged on twenty-one planes above target. 385th B: fourteen damaged on nineteen planes above target. In the Composite Group nine of the twelve bombers had been damaged of the 385th A. For the 94th B the assessment was seven damaged of nine participating B-17s. A study into the further destiny of these participating aircraft we could retrieve that from the twenty-one B-17s of the 94th A, eight were shot down or crashed down. From the nine participating bombers of the 94th B to the Composite Group, only four reached the end of the war. For the 385th 'B' there were eight crashed, six went back to USA and seven stayed in England. Of the participants of the 385th 'A' to the Composite Group six crashed, 30. Anti-aircraft guns, Flak four went back to the USA and two stayed in England. That this is also accompanied by significant human losses need not be declared.
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30. Report of battle damage 94th 'B' Bomb Group

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Landing and comment of the crew

The 94th A leadgroup reached the hostile coast at 18.52h on an altitude of 19.000ft (5.791m) then the formation decreased. They were above Orfordness at 19.24h on an altitude of 9.000ft (2.743m). Around 19.35h they reached Burry St. Edmunds, where the landing took place between 19.40h and 20.06h. The 94th B, which determined a part of the Composite Group, left the formation when flying over the English coast. The base was reached for 19.44h and landing happened between 19.47h and 20.12h. For the 385th, in the reports were no times of return mentioned, only beside they talk of 19.34h. From the flight reports of the pilots of the 385th BG we can still extract some remarkable observations: Lt. Dittmer (385th A Comp): drinking water provides in the space for the commencement (drying room) with the mission. Lt. Spencer (385th A Comp): the gunners complain that they get drill in the afternoon after they has flown a mission in the morning. Lt. La Penna (385th A Comp): the crew had wait 35 minutes after landing before she was picked up. Lt. Gray (385th B lead): dont like gorbohydrate candy. Lt. White (385th B lead): binoculars provide for the nose and tail in the leading plane. Drinking water necessary. Lt. Seehof (385th B lead): this crew has made 50.15h flight hours in ten days. Lt. Wells (385th B lead): the snack bar open earlier in the evening. Lt. Percival (385th B lead): after landing the camions were at the last three missions to late. The crew had to wait 30 minutes before being picked up. Several pilots of the 385th A and B made report of the fact that they had flown without navigator, which were very missed (Lt. Baumann, Lt. Mc Sweeney, Lt. Robbins and Lt. Faix).

31. Transport after a mission, there is still waiting an interrogation of the flight - 97 -

Consequences for the family De Munck

Hundreds of houses were destroyed or were heavily damaged. But more terrible was the human suffering: 85 people died, 92 heavy wounded, 352 light wounded. Different members of the De Munck family lived in the bombed area(17). - Joannes Baptiste De Munck (*20/10/1867 Lokeren) killed during the bombardment. He died in the hospital (fractured skull, headwounds, bruised). Other membres of the family died: - Marie Isidoor De Munck (*11/4/1899 Lokeren daughter of Joannes) spouse of Medard Rombout, living at the Lindestraat 39. - Irne Rombout (*22/4/1939) daughter of Medard Rombout and Marie De Munck. - Leon Franciscus De Munck (*6/6/1903 Lokeren son of Joannes) spouse of Martha Rooms, living at the Lindestraat 43. Wounded, taken to hospital: - Mathilde De Munck (*19/10/1909 Lokeren) living at the Bosmanstraat 63. - Marcel De Munck (*2/1/1930 Lokeren) son of Leon Franciscus De Munck, living at the Lindestraat 43. - Martha Rooms. The family payer a heavy toll with four deceased and three wounded. For grandmother, widow De Munck - Emma Dobbelaere, living at the Kazernestraat 81, there was only material damage to her house.

32. Lindestraat: left the Grooten Hof and right the house of Pieters - 98 -

33. School St. Anna in the Kazernestraat, in front of the parental house

34. Kazernestraat, marked the house of grandmother, widow De Munck - Emma Dobbelaere - 99 -

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Conclusions
You can suggest that the bombardment on Lokeren was due to an accidental bomb release of the second lead aircraft of the 385th A Composite Group, upon which eleven other bombers of this formation also released their bombs. It is not very clear how many aircraft of the 385th A dropped their bombs One report spoke about three aircraft, other ones about five to six. We have based our conclusions upon the time of the bomb release (18.18hr). Doing so we decided on a result of four aircraft. This is also near to the number of bomb explosions counted on the ground. Research on the ground tells us that there were no more bombs dropped between Lokeren and Brussels that day. The rest of the aircraft either dropped on Brussels or turned back to England with their bombs on board (some of them dropped their bombs in the Channel, North Sea). The indication of the firme Hoedhaar as a target on the list which Mr Remi Van Nieuwenborgh saw at the base, had in our opinion been added after the bombardment, when it became clear that the planes had bombed Lokeren instead of the marshalling yards in Schaerbeek (Brussels). After taking the I.P. the target was about 20 miles away, so the bombardier normally had a bomb run of five to ten minutes to take his M.P.I. In Lokeren they dropped their bombs allmost immediately after turning on the I.P. Also, there was no bombardier on board of the second lead aircraft #2, but only a tonglier who was not trained to use the "Norden Bombsight" and who was in practice dependant on the lead bombardier. During the bombardment two B-17s of the 94th B (31906 #1 of Lt. Purnell and 102577 #6 of Bouncin Annie) took aerial photographs. These SAV negatives (Strike Attack View) were taken simultaneously with the bomb discharge (10 negatives). Unfortunate until now we have not been able to locate them, not knowing if they were even archived after the war. According to the last information of RCAHM(18) a great deal of them are were destroyed after the war.

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Sources and declarations

1. Een dodelijke vergissing - het bombardement van 11 mei 1944 op Lokeren, Alain Debbaut en Bjrn Rzoska, Lokeren 2004. 2. De Souvereinen, 38 jg, no. 2, p. 83, 2007. 3. http://forum.armyairforces.com 4. Eight Air Force Narrative of Operations, 351th Operation, May 11, 1944. 5. M/Y: Marshalling Yard. 6. RR/J: Railraod Junction. 7. TO: Target or Opportunity. 8. NARA: National Archives and record Administration, www.archives.gov 9. R.P.: Return Point. 10. Wardiary 1943-1945, parts 1, September 1943 - September 1944, Frans De Koninck; editor municipal corporation of Dendermonde. 11. Report towering guard of 11 May 1944; Windey, Passive Air-raid Precautions, (Passieve Luchtbescherming), fund Frans De Vos; Oudheidkundige Kring, SintNiklaas. 12. City Archive of Lokeren, collection 316, reports Passive Air-raid Precautions. 13. Marcel Pieters, were himselves in the beginning of the bombardment, then the formations flew over ( 200m from the first hit). 14. M.P.I.: Mean Point or Impact. 15. After the end of the war Sunday school was started in Lake Worth, Florida, U.S. One of the buillding was called to Lt. M. U. Reid: The Marion U. Reid Memorial Sunday school. Marion Reid were a son of the pastor of the First Baptist Church in that time. 16. Strike Attack View negatives: SAV-94-515 (1-5) (19/5/1944) 791-7-26500 Berlin Germany. 17. City Archive of Lokeren, collection 348, bombardments 40-45. 18. RCAHMS: Royal Commission on the Acient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Edinburgh, G.B.; here are since 2008 the TARA archives, The Aerial Reconnaissance Archives.

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Illustrations
Alexander Ken: 9. Benson Marc: 21, 22. Burris Scott: 10, 15, 16, 17. Debbaut Alain, Rzoska Bjrn, Een dodelijke Vergissing: 32b, 34, backside cover. Fund Frans De Vos, Oudheidkundige Kring, Sint-Niklaas: 32a, 33. Google Earth: 8. Halpert Sam: website www.b17sam.com: 31. Harrington Aviation Museum: 11. Luftbilddatenbank, Estenfeld, Germany: 20, 21. NARA archive, Washington, USA: 6, 7, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. Robinson Debi: 2a, b, c, d, e, n. Sassone Joseph (303th BG): 30. Varnedoe Bill: 2f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, 3, 4, 5. Website 303th Bombing Group: 14. Website www.merkki.com/bombardiers: 18.

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Table of Contents
Andr De Munck, Bombs on Lokeren, Belgium The true story about Thursday 11 May 1944 61

- E-mailadres: desouvereinen_lokeren@yahoo.com - Lidmaatschap van de kring: 8 , steunend lid 12 , beschermlid 20 of meer. - Bankrekening Centea: 860-0003103-78, De Souvereinen, 9160 Lokeren. - Wegens de hoge verzendingskosten vragen wij aan de buitenlandse leden een bijdrage van 25 (lidgeld 8 reeds inbegrepen) over te maken. Buitenlandse leden in de Eurozone dienen het volgend banknummer te gebruiken: IBAN BE69 8600 0031 0378 BIC SPAABE22 - Voorzitter en contactadres: Marcel Pieters, Beukenlaan 31, 9160 Lokeren. - Een nummer van de huidige jaargang niet ontvangen? Navragen bij de penning- meester Gaston Ketels, Hoogstraat 96, 9160 Lokeren. Tel. 09 348 32 85 - Redactie van het tijdschrift en secretaris: Alex Dierick, Lammeken 55, 9160 Lokeren. - Oude jaargangen zijn nog beschikbaar aan 5 per jaargang tot en met het jaar 1999. Vanaf 2000 aan 8 per jaargang. Na storting op de rekening of tegen contante betaling wordt de bestelling uitgevoerd door Alex Dierick die de reservevoorraad bewaart. Tel. 09 348 40 43. - Overname van teksten enkel toegestaan mits nauwkeurige bronvermelding en na de toestemming van de auteur. Adres bij de redactie. - Elke auteur is verantwoordelijk voor de inhoud van zijn tekst. - Het tijdschrift "De Souvereinen" wordt uitgegeven met subsidie van de Stad Lokeren (Cultuurraad), de Provincie (via Heemkunde Oost-Vlaanderen vzw) en

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Veldstraat, on the background the factory Hoedhaar