<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2D3a3B_0wDtISbd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2D3a3B_0wDtISbd00" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>canva.com</figcaption></figure>Did you know that Montana is the location of one of the only bombings to happen in the lower 48 states during World War 2?On March 21, 1944, a huge Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was called in from Rapid City, SD to break an ice jam on the Yellowstone River, near Miles City. 500 people had been displaced by flooding, and boats had been used to rescue some marooned families. The road north toward Jordan could not be reached, and water levels were rising. Miles City Mayor, Leighton Keye, convinced Governor Sam Ford to call the Army for help.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1GUklP_0wDtISbd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1GUklP_0wDtISbd00" width="1024" height="687" ><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Several local pilots attempted to drop homemade bombs on the ice, using small planes. Simply throwing the equivalent of sticks of dynamite out the window of small crop dusting planes. But, it just wasn't enough. The Army Air Corps brought in the BIG 250lb bombs. The same bombs were used when the Allies bombed Berlin a few months later. A total of 13 bombs were dropped on the Yellowstone River that day. Totaling almost 3,250lbs of explosives. That is A LOT of BOOM!The Clark Fork River is no stranger to the occasional ice jam. In fact, a picture recently surfaced online showing a giant ice jam at what is now Caras Park. The photo shows city officials using explosives to break up the giant slab of ice.For those who may argue the location of the ice jam in the picture. Keep in mind that Caras Park used to be an island. Plus you can clearly see the Bitterroot Branch in the background—as well as the Orange Street Bridge.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Historic Photo Captures Officials Blasting Ice Dam in Missoula

Did you know that Montana is the location of one of the only bombings to happen in the lower 48 states during World War 2?. On March 21, 1944, a huge Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was called in from Rapid City, SD to break an ice jam on the Yellowstone River, near Miles City. 500 people had been displaced by flooding, and boats had been used to rescue some marooned families. The road north toward Jordan could not be reached, and water levels were rising. Miles City Mayor, Leighton Keye, convinced Governor Sam Ford to call the Army for help.