U.S. Bombers Strike at Neunkirchen, Germany : Huge smoke columns rise from the communications conter of Neunkirchen, Germany, following attacks by D-26 Marauders of the Ninth Bombardment Division of the Ninth U.S. Air Force during which more than 375 tons of high explosives and incendiaries were dropped to halt the withdrawal of Nazi forces opposing the advancing Seventh U.S. Army. Explosions and fires destroyed more than 50 percent of the town, which was also an important steel producer, Neunkirchen, nine miles northeast of Saarbrucken, was cleared of enemy forces by the Seventh Army March 22, 1945. Ninth U.S. Air Force Photo. May 14, 1945.