The provided transcript does not list the squadrons that made up the 96th Combat Wing. Therefore, I cannot answer your question.
The transcript mentions the 96th Bomb Group but doesn't specify what the 96th Combat Wing was. More information would be needed to answer this question.
The transcript does not provide a list of the squadrons within the 467th Bomb Group. Therefore, I cannot answer your question.
The transcript states that the third force consisted of units from the Second Division, but it does not list the specific bomb groups involved. Therefore, I cannot answer your question.
The transcript does not explicitly list all the groups in the 2nd Division. While it mentions specific groups participating in the mission (and their actions), it doesn't provide a complete roster of all groups within the 2nd Division.
This WW2TV video discusses Mission 760, the largest single air strike of World War II, focusing on the planning and execution of the mission from the perspective of a B-17 crew on December 24th, 1944. The guest speaker, Yost Rath, a Royal Netherlands Air Force veteran, provides detailed insights based on his extensive research.
Mission 760's Scale: Mission 760 involved a massive number of bombers (around 2000) and support personnel (estimated 150,000-170,000), comparable to the D-Day invasion force. The mission's primary targets were German airfields and infrastructure, specifically bridges and railway lines, in support of the Battle of the Bulge.
Intense Pre-Mission Planning: The video details the meticulous planning process throughout the night of December 23rd, 1944, including weather conferences, intelligence reports, and the coordination between different air forces (8th, 9th, RAF Bomber Command). The planning involved intricate details such as bomb loads, target assignments, fighter escort plans, and communication protocols.
Challenges and Losses: Despite thorough planning, the mission faced significant challenges due to unexpected strong winds, poor weather conditions in certain areas, and fierce Luftwaffe resistance. Several aircraft crashed during takeoff or were shot down, resulting in considerable losses. The video highlights the human cost of the mission, focusing on the courage and resilience of the air crews.
Post-Mission Analysis: The video examines the mission's successes and failures, including instances of target misidentification due to weather conditions and the unexpected intensity of Luftwaffe attacks.
Technological Advancements: The mission also witnessed the first-ever combat deployment of the Arado Ar 234 jet bomber by the Luftwaffe.