PBS VS BSC WAR: PBS VS BSC - 29/06/2025 20:30

[Powerbits]

After the extreme Winter of ’44-45, the record breaking cold season was followed by an equally quick and sudden early thaw. This suddenly held up the Russian advance to Berlin, as they got bogged down in slush and mud. This would ultimately delay the end of hostilities but a couple of months whilst allies forces also consolidated from Battle of the Bulge, before pushing on to the Rhine crossings.

In the hiatus, the 8th AF carried on it’s role unabated in the air.

Pictured here is the 486th BG over Germany, on it it’s 9 hour round trip to bomb marshalling yards at Munich, Germany, on 25th February 1945.

The two serial numbered aircraft in shot are from 834th BS and 833rd BS’s respectively, and the main aircraft in the middle is 44-8528, called ‘Flak Sack’, designation 2S – L. A veteran of the group at this time, she would go on to complete 46 missions before being lost over the skies of Seehausen, just under two months later.

The aircraft top left in the image is the flight lead PPF radar ship, 44-8025, ‘Queen of the Skies’ designation 4N – B. This aircraft would survive the war, and be involved in post-war occupation duties before finally being salvaged by the 9AF in May 1946.

Photo: Mark Brown – Air Force Academy – My Private Collection. Image Repair & Colourisation – Nathan howland @HowdiColour.

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