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This original 1945 dated WWII “bomb sight’ aerial photograph was taken from the aerial reconnaissance camera from a U.S. bomber of the 398th Bomb Group during their bombing mission of “Rosenheim” on April 18th, 1945 lead by Cpt. Machbanks. The 398th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire on strategic bombing raids over Germany. The Group switched focus in the days before D-Day, when they targeted enemy positions on the Cherbourg peninsula. When the Allies had secured a foothold on the continent, missions became more tactical - supporting ground forces by weakening the enemy's ability to resupply their lines. After the war's end, the Group transported POWs from Germany to France.

The 398th Bomb Group along with many other Allied bombers took recon and bombing raid photos like this during the Allied strategic bombing of Germany during World War II. These photographs were developed post flight and were used as bomb damage assessment as well as aerial recon for future bombing raids and future infantry advance. The new military tactic of strategic bombing was designed to devastate the enemy below with aerial attacks on railways, harbors, cities, workers' and civilian housing, and industrial districts in enemy territory during World War II. The use of this strategic bombing was a new military strategy which is distinct from both close air support of ground forces and tactical air power.

This aerial photograph offers a dramatic view of the target and destruction wrought by the aerial attack. The reverse side of the photograph features a typed notation about the target and date along with the name of the bombing leader during that particular mission. This Photograph also contains the rare censor stamp passed by the 398th Group and is marked “NOT FOR PUBLICATION”. 

Overview:

Constituted as 398th Bombardment Group [Heavy] on 15 Feb 1943. Activated on 1 Mar 1943. Prepared for combat with B-17's, but interrupted these activities from Jul to Dec 1943 to train replacement crews for other organizations.

Moved to England in Apr 1944 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat in May 1944, and until V-E Day operated primarily against strategic objectives in Germany, attacking targets such as factories in Berlin, warehouses in Munich, marshalling yards in Saarbrucken, shipping facilities in Kiel, oil refineries in Merseburg, and aircraft plants in Munster.

Temporarily suspended strategic missions to attack coastal defenses and enemy troops on the Cherbourg peninsula during the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944; strike gun positions near Eindhoven in support of the air attack on Holland in Sep 1944; raid power stations, railroads, and bridges during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and attack airfields to aid the Allied assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945.

Flew last combat mission, attacking an airfield in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, on 25 Apr 1945.

Transported liberated prisoners from Germany to France after V-E Day.

Returned to the US, May-Jun 1945. Inactivated on 1 Sep 1945.