See Subpages (1): 1st German Jet Destroyed by the 557th, C (Video)
557th AAA Anti-aircraft-Artillery, Automatic Weapons, mobile
84th US Infantry, US 9th Army and British XXX Corp
557th Antiaircraft Battery Claims 1st Two Nazi Jet_Props in WWII
28 February, 1945
Subject: News Item
To: Public Relations Officer, 84th Infantry
Battery "C" of the 557th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) which is attached to the 84th Infant(Railsplitters)has really sharpened their eyes and as proof of that statementhere is a little incident that ocurred during the crossing of the Roer River near Linnich, Germany. On the night following the initial assult the second platoon of the battery was emplaced on the west bank in order to help furnish protection for the engineer bridge. At 1110 the next morning several Luftwaf much vaunted jet-propelled ME-262's appeared out of the north as if to give the bridge a real going over. Plane number 1 made the first pass , and was greeted by a barrage of ack ack fire, upon being hit on the fuselageby a 40mm shell the pilot pulled out and tried to head east, but when last seen, there was a dull explosion where he hit the ground. About that time plane 2 tried the Nazi version of skip bombing . As he made a run for the bridge he released his bomb, but in mid-air the bomb and a 40mm shell collided, detenating the bomb, as well as the plane. Captain Cooper of Arlington Va suggested the slogan...If you can't hit the plane, get the bomb!
William J Shea
Major, PR Officer
To: All Officers and Men of the "557th"
Since coming overseas your record has been one to justify all early hopes.You have operated successfully with three divisions and two armies, under both American and British Leadership. At times the going got tough but you never complained. In the extreme cold of the Ardennes "Bulge" in one of the bitterest campaigns' of this war you convinced all that you were top grade fighting men. At the crossing of the Roer it was due in alarge measure, to your splendid support of the infantry that casualties were light. In the crossings of the Rhine and Weser (rivers) and the rapid advance through Germany to the Elbe you were always ready for action, inflicting heavy losses in men and equipment on the Krauts. When the Luftwaffe finally came out you were ready for them. The result...23 planes shot down in a 2 week period, reflecting your professional ability. You have been subjected to heavy arttillary and small arms fire, to strafing attacks and to the dangers of enemy mine fiields under blackout conditions, but you have met and overcome all obstacles. It is a privlage to have been your commander. It is with a sense of great pride that I review your accomplishments.I know that whatever you do and wherever you go you will continue to do the same outstanding job you have done in the past.I salute the officrers and men of the 557th.
Victor L. Groff Lieutenant Colonel, CAC
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