351st Bomb Group

1. 1. Roll Call and Assign Aircraft.
   2. Stations  –[0925]
   3. Start Engines –1025
   4. Taxi  –1035
   5. Take off –1050
   6. Return to Base –
   7. C.O.'s [Commanding Officers] Comment -
2. Target for today: Bremen, Secondary Emden or Wilhelmshaven
   Loading: 8 x 500 [lb.] plus 20 Incendiaries
3. S-2 [Intelligence] –
4. Navigator:
   1. Wing Rendezvous:
   2. Altitude and time on Oxygen:
   3. Route in, I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run], Return:
   4. C.W. [Combat Wing] dispersal point:
   5. Emergency Fields
5. Weather -
6. Operations -
   1. Wing Formation - Lead - 381st, High - 351st, Low - 91st
      1st C.W.[Combat Wing] - Lead, Air Commander - Lt. Col. Hall.
7. Diversions and other efforts -
   3rd B.D. [Bomb Division] ahead. 40th and 41st will follow 1st CW [Combat Wing].
   
   
8. Fighter Cover -
   1. Type and No. - P-47 cover from 5325-0725 [Vicinity of Emden] Through target and out to enemy coast. Four (4) Groups total.
      
   2. Type and No. - 1 Group of P-38's covering 3rd B.D. may help out.
      
9. Special Instructions -
   Let down heading on splasher #5 260° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading] if undercast.
   Gas loading Tokio tanks 300 gallons.
   After bombing Division Air Commander will take necessary action to allow following combat Wing to close up in CBW [Combat Wing] line abreast formation to receive full fighter support.
   Flares for PFF [Pathfinder Force] plane yellow flare for bomb bay doors open. Red flare for bombs away.
   Weather permitting low and high Group will uncover and bomb visually.
   Be Alert for damaged friendly pursuits that might seek protection of our formation. Don't shoot at them.
   Strict radio silence will be observed until crossing enemy coast.
   Group may bomb by bombsight if visibility permits, otherwise on PFF.
   
10. C.O's [Commanding Officer's] Comment -
11. Dismissal of all but Pilots and Co-Pilots

12. 	Call Sign	[Tail] Letter		Flares
    1st C.W. [Combat Wing]	Goonchild			RR [Red Red]
    91st Group	Goonchild Red	"A"
    351 Group	Goonchild White	"J"		Red smoke trail.
    381st Group	Goonchild Blue	"L"
    1st C.W. Command Post	Figleaf
    Air Commmander	Big Wheel

    
    

    Spits [Spitfires] -	Bombers -		Ground Sector -
    P-47's - Haybank two	Bombers - Phonebox two-one		Ground Sector - Warm Sun

    
    

    VHF Channels		Channel		Ships Monitor
    1st C.W.		Stand by on "B"		Squadron leads and Group Deputy will stand by on "A"
    Air Commander		"B"		A
    Spits
    P-47's		"D"		No. 2 and 3 of second element.

13. Colors of the day:

    Date	Time	Color	Ident.	Challenge
    Nov. 29	0700 - 1300	RG [Red Green]	J	D
    Nov. 29	1300 - 1900	YY	S	W

14. Flying Control - A. Taxi Plan, B. Runways and Taxi Strips, C. Spares
15. Conclusion -
    Radio silence on all sets except in emergency.
    Code words will be used -
    "Point A" = 1st point of C.W. assembly line.
    "Point B" = 2nd point of C.W. assembly line.
    "Point X" = Splasher used for C.W. assembly.
    "Angle" = Briefed altitude.
    "Retrace" = C.W. assembled and ready to depart England.
    "Can It" = Get off the air.
    If unable to taxi - need a spare or any trouble fire a single red flare. Get out of the ship to do it.
    Questions?

1. Twenty-four aircraft took off as scheduled and made the rendezvous with the 91st and 381st Groups.
2. Four aircraft turned back from within England because of the bad weather encountered, while a fifth returned early because of a defect in the gas feeding of the No. 2 engine.
3. Of the nineteen remaining aircraft, one turned back off the English Coast when the No. 2 engine went out and a second one attached itself to another formation and bombed the Frisian Islands before turning back.
4. The formation became separated in clouds off the enemy coast. As a result, ten aircraft returned to base. The remaining seven aircraft continued on course until ordered to return by the Combat Wing Leader.

1. Nineteen aircraft were dispatched at 1110 hours and left the coast at Splasher #4. Five aircraft turned back before reaching Splasher #4. Of the nineteen aircraft dispatched, two turned back due to mechanical difficulty.
2. The remaining seventeen aircraft continued to fly High Group in the Combat Wing formation, but ran into clouds just off the coast, at which point the formation began to disintegrate.
3. Ten aircraft became separated and returned to base alone, and seven turned back with the Group Leader at the command of the Combat Wing Leader. They turned back at 54°17'N - 05°01'E, and landed at base at 1605 hours. All of our aircraft returned early.

1. Due to the fact that no bombs were dropped, the following data is not submitted:
   1. Combat Bombing Flight Record.
   2. Group Bombing Plot Report.

1. Due to the fact that no bombs were dropped and, consequently, no photos taken, the following are not submitted:
   1. Mission Camera Report
   2. Photo and Bomb Plotting Report
   3. Photographs of Bombing

1. In compliance with Co-ordination Memorandum No. 3, 19 July, 1943, the following data on the Mission of 17 August is submitted.
   1. 1. No. of Aircraft Assigned:  24
         No. Failed to Take-off:  0
         No. returned early:  24
         No. Missing:  0
      2. All aircraft returned when bad weather was encountered before the enemy coast was reached.
   2. 1. The 351st Group flew the High Combat Box of the 1st Combat Wing Formation.

1. Due to the facts that no friendly aircraft were observed to be in distress, no enemy aircraft were encountered, and that no flak was seen, the following reports are not submitted:
   1. Hot News Summary
   2. Combat Report Form
   3. Flak Report

1. Following are the abortive aircraft on the Mission of 29 November, 1943.
   1. 42-30866, 508th Sqdn. – Low on fuel.
   2. 42-37774, 508th Sqdn. – Weather.
   3. 42-30994, 508th Sqdn. – Recalled by CW leader.
   4. 42-30780, 509th Sqdn. – Weather.
   5. 42-37832, 509th Sqdn. – Defect in fuel feeding in Number 2 Engine.
   6. 42-29749, 509th Sqdn. – Weather.
   7. 42-3140, 509th Sqdn. – Low on Fuel.
   8. 42-5756, 509th Sqdn. - #2 Engine and #4 oil cooler out.
   9. 42-29812, 509th Sqdn. – Weather.
   10. 42-29630, 509th Sqdn. – Low on Fuel.
   11. 42-39823, 510th Sqdn. – Low on Fuel.
   12. 42-30857, 510th Sqdn. – Recalled by CW leader.
   13. 42-39853, 510th Sqdn. – Weather.
   14. 42-37714, 510th Sqdn. – Weather.
   15. 42-29848, 510th Sqdn. – Weather.
   16. 42-29850, 510th Sqdn. – Recalled by CW leader.
   17. 42-29831, 510th Sqdn. – Low on Fuel.
   18. 42-37825, 511th Sqdn. – Recalled by CW leader.
   19. 42-31162, 511th Sqdn. – Weather.
   20. 42-39778, 511th Sqdn. – Recalled by CW leader.
   21. 42-29835, 511th Sqdn. – Recalled by CW leader.
   22. 42-39834, 511th Sqdn. – Weather.
   23. 42-39761, 511th Sqdn. – Recalled by CW leader.
   24. 42-3523, 510th Sqdn. – Weather.
2. There was no battle damage reported.

1. There were no armament malfunctions or failures reported upon the conclusion of the Mission of 29 November, 1943.

1. The Station Ordnance Officer has reported the following expenditure of bombs and ammunition on the Mission of 29 November, 1943.
a. Three A/C jettisoned 24 M-43 and 60 M-47A1 bombs in the Channel.
b. 2,560 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition was expended in test firing.
[Signed:] Robert B. Stratton, 1st. Lt., Air Corps, Statistical Officer

Aircraft No. 832-N  Squadron 509   Pilot - Lt. R.B. Clay
Time of Abortive - 1210  Location when Aborted - Cambridge
Reason - Siphoning of gasoline.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] Lt. Marshall R. Pullen, 2nd Lt., Air Corps, Navigator

Aircraft No. 9812 Squadron 509th   Pilot - M. S. Braden, 1st. Lt.
Time of Abortive - 1400  Location when Aborted - Frisian Islands
Reason - #2 Engine Failure.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - Gunners observed flak – Left tire flat – Maybe flak damage.
[Signed] Merle S. Braden

Aircraft No. 756 Squadron 509   Pilot - Lloyd L. Lewis
Time of Abortive - 1330  Location when Aborted - 53°50’N - 03°30’E
Reason - Lost #2 Engine. Believe Master rod Bearing burned out.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] Lloyd L. Lewis

Aircraft No. F-9848 Squadron 510   Pilot - Lt. Thompson
Time of Abortive - 1025  Location when Aborted - 95 miles off coast.
Reason - Weather
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] Wm. W. Thompson Returned Bombs Alt. – 17,000’

Aircraft No. P-3140 Squadron 509   Pilot - Lt. E. Harris
Time of Abortive - 1240   Location when Aborted - Near Splasher #4
Reason - Separated in clouds from group. Joined another group which broke up over channel.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] E. P. Harris

Aircraft No. M-3523 Squadron 510   Pilot - Lt. Plant
Time of Abortive - 1130  Location when Aborted - Over Polebrook
Reason - Sick Tail Gunner – Weather
Enemy Opposition Encountered - No
[Signed] James M. Plant

Aircraft No. V-1162 Squadron 511   Pilot - Lt. M. Sherman
Time of Abortive - 1306  Location when Aborted - 53°25’N - 01°20’E
Reason - Co-Pilot had ear trouble (Weather)
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] M. Sherman, 1st. Lt., Air Corps.

Aircraft No. P-9853 Squadron 510   Pilot - Lt. Bender
Time of Abortive - 1208  Location when Aborted - 20 minutes south of Splasher #4
Reason - Due to weather.
Enemy Opposition Encountered -
[Signed] M. H. Bender

Aircraft No. T-7714 Squadron 510   Pilot - Lt. Grunow
Time of Abortive - 1208  Location when Aborted - 20 miles south of Splasher #4
Reason - Lost formation due to weather
Enemy Opposition Encountered -
[Signed] Albert E. Grunow, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.

Aircraft No. 749 Squadron 509   Pilot - Songer
Time of Abortive - 1310  Location when Aborted - Splasher #4 11,000 ft
Reason - Lost from rest of Group until too late to continue on mission.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] George Songer Bombs brought back.

1. Last Four numbers and Call Letter of A/C in each Squadron:

   a. Lead Box
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 0866–S, 7774–N, 0994–T*	(3)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 0780–T, 7832–N, 9749–Z, 3140–P, 5756–R, 9812–U, 9630–S	(7)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 9823–O, 3523–M, 0857–J, 9853–P, 7714–T, 9848–F, 9850–G, 9831–H,	(8)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 7825–Q, 1162–V, 9778–A, 9835–Y, 9834–F*, 9761–D*	(6)
   * Aircraft are Flying Spares

2. Target: GR3586
   
3. W/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 Ops:	STP		Squadron	510 Ops:	UWY
   	Sta:	Daisychain			Sta:	Paramount
   Squadron	509 Ops:	LSX		Squadron	511 Ops:	PPQ
   	Sta:	Ridingwhip			Sta:	Thickfrost

4. Taxi Time– 1035;     Take-Off Time– 1050;     E.T.D. Over Field – 1135

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1219	10,000 Ft	Splasher #4

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1506	26,000 Ft	53°07'N-04°50'E

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1559	10,000 Ft	Cromer

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1632 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: K
10. Bomb load of Each A/C: Box
    508 Squadron: 8 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail 20 M47A1 IB's[Incendiary Bomb]
    509 Squadron: 8 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail 20 M47A1 IB's
    510 Squadron: 8 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail 20 M47A1 IB's
    511 Squadron: 8 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail 20 M47A1 IB's
11. Fuel Load of each A/C: 1700 Gallons
12. Group Leader:
    a. Name: John B. Carraway, Capt 511th A/C: Q-7825
13. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:

14. Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	0866–S	1118½	1626	509	0780–T	1113½	1609
    	7774–N	1119	1608		7832–N	1114½	1215
    	0994–T*	1124	1605		9749–Z	1115	1334
    					3140–P	1116	1510
    					5756–R	1116½	1435
    					9812–U	1117	1636
    					9630–S	1118	1625
    510	9823–O	1112	1610	511	7825–Q	1110	1602½
    	3523–M	1112½	1355		1162–V	1110½	1357
    	0857–J	1120	1603		9778–A	1111	1603½
    	9853–P	1120½	1332		9835–Y	1111½	1604
    	7714–T	1121	1321		9834–F*	1125	1548
    	9848–F	1122	1431		9761–D*	1131	1554
    	9850–G	1122½	1607
    	9831–H	1123½	1709

    * Spare Aircraft

    Report Compiled By Irving C. Muesing, Pvt.
    

    Sqdn.	A/C Letter	Designation	Remarks
    509	832–N	Abortive	Siphoning Gas.
    509	749–Z	Abortive	Lost Formation at Splasher #4 - Weather.
    510	853–P	Abortive	Lost formation - Weather.
    510	714–T	Abortive	Lost formation - Weather.
    510	523–M	Abortive	Weather.
    511	162–V	Abortive	Weather.
    510	848–F	Abortive	Weather.
    509	756–R	Abortive
    509	140–P	Abortive	Weather.
    511	834–F	Abortive
    511	761–D	Abortive