Before and After of the Linder Dam outside Dieuze, France and Story
Title
Before and After of the Linder Dam outside Dieuze, France and Story
Subject
Colonel Joseph Laughlin was credited with dropping his payload closest to the target, giving him most of the credit for breaking the dam
Description
The before and after shots of the Linder Dam show the short term effect of the damage done by squadrons of the 362nd Fighter Group. The 378th and 379th squadrons took part in the bombings, with Colonel Laughlin leading the way. The pilots were aiming for the sluice gate, an extremely narrow portion of the dam, and they were mostly effective. Colonel Laughlin was given the most credit as his bombs were dropped closest to the sluice. A third squadron was called in, but by the time they arrived, the water was already pouring out of the now large hole in the dam.
This action had been personally requested by General Patton, and it was such a huge news story that within 24 hours, they were announcing the success over the radio. The 362nd's former commander, Colonel Morton Magoffin, was lying in a hospital when the bombing of the dam was announced. All they said about the mission was that it was completed by a "Thunderbolt" fighter group. He didn't even have to ask; he knew it was the 362nd.
This action had been personally requested by General Patton, and it was such a huge news story that within 24 hours, they were announcing the success over the radio. The 362nd's former commander, Colonel Morton Magoffin, was lying in a hospital when the bombing of the dam was announced. All they said about the mission was that it was completed by a "Thunderbolt" fighter group. He didn't even have to ask; he knew it was the 362nd.
Source
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
Publisher
United States Air Force
Date
October 1944
Files
Collection
Citation
“Before and After of the Linder Dam outside Dieuze, France and Story,” A Look At United States Air Force Colonel Joseph Laughlin, accessed April 27, 2024, https://coloneljoelaughlin.omeka.net/items/show/66.