351st Bomb Group

1. Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.
   
   
2. Time Schedule:

   Lead Box
   Stations   –	0755
   Start Engines –	0805
   Taxi     –	0815
   Take Off   –	0830
   Last Take Off –	0850
   ETR [Estimated Time of Return] –	1749

   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: Sarau-Fockwolfe [sic] A/C Assembly Plant
   Secondary: [Unreadable], Germany [RR] Marshalling Yards
   Last Resort: Any military objective in Ger. or any A/D [Airdrome] not near built up areas – which may be bombed without disrupting fighter support.
   
   
4. Loading:
   351 “A” : 10 x 500 GP [General Purpose] – 1/10 – 1/100 [Fuses]
   351 “B” :
   Composite:
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - Smith – G-780
   Chaff: None - 144 units Emergency
   
5. Gasoline Loading: 2700 gallons
   Remarks: ____
   
   

6. Wing Formation	94th (A) CBW	94th (B) CBW	Comp. Group	Comp. CBW
   Lead	351st
   Low	457th
   High	401st

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	41st "A"	Krzesinki (Posen) [Poznań]	1005
   2nd	1st	Posen [Poznań]	1007
   3rd	41st "B"	Krzesinki (Posen) [Poznań]	1009
   4th	94th	Sarau	1011
   5th	40th	Cottbus	1013
   6th
   7th
   8th
   2nd Division		Tutow – Pölitz
   3rd Division		Leipzig
   Marauders
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: Two minutes between C.W. [Combat Wings]
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]
     3 Gp. P-47
     4 Gp. P-38
     5 Gp. P-51

     
     
9. Group Assembly:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   Lead	10,500'	Deenthrope Buncher, Depart 0955
   High	12,000'
   Low	9,000'

   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - _____
    
13. Special Instructions to Navigators, Bombardiers and Radio Operators:
    Gunners, Nav., & Bom. – Report all malfunctions to Armament Off. at Int. [Interrogation]
    Cannot select alternate MPI [Mean Point of Impact [Target]]. Must hit assigned MPI.
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing I.P. –	Boston Beans
    Visual Bombing -
    Authenticator –	Short Stop
    Recall -	Popeye-The-Sailor
    Weather Code -	B-A-T-I-V
    Release "CHAFF" -	Tin Hat

    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Remarks
    351st A	Woodcraft Red	RY [Red Yellow]
    351st B
    401st A	Woodcraft White	G [Green]
    401st B
    457th A	Woodcraft Blue	R [Red]
    457th B
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.	Swordfish	R - R [Red Red]
    40th C.B.W.	Foxhole	Y - Y [Yellow Yellow]
    41st C.B.W.	Cowboy	G - G [Green Green]
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Balance 3/1 to 3/12
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers	Vinegrove Three-Four
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    

    Control Points:	Time	Fighter Reference Points:
    [See Pilot's] Flimsy		______
    [0 - Kings Lynn]	[Zero [Hour] - Minus 7 minutes]	[P - Zwolle]
    [1 - Cromer]	[Zero Plus 5]	[I - Dummer Lake]
    [2 - 5237N-0437E]	[Zero Plus 45]	[N - Celle]
    [3 - 5235N-0823E]	[Zero Plus 85]	[K - Stendal]
    [4 - 5238N-1141E]	[Zero Plus 121]	[F - Cottbus]
    [5 - 5317N-1632E]	[Zero Plus 206]	[L - Posen]
    [6 - 5440N-1352E]	[Zero Plus 250]	[O - Stettin]
    		[W - Hamburg]
    		[E - Leipzig]
    		[R - Frankfurt]
    		[S - Mamur]

    Remarks: Base reference Altitude – 20,000ft.
    [Zero Hour - 1000 DBST (Double British Standard Time)]
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0800 – 1400	GG	C	Z
    1400 – 2000	RY	D	O
    2000 – 0200	Y - RY	L	M

    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All ships monitor except
    2. - T-384 -- N-169
    3. - (8th A.F. – F-845 - Z-202) 9th A.F. – Y-216 - C-848 [A/C Lt Walker was supposed to fly. It failed to take off. He had late take-off on A/C 42-97798]
    4. - All ships have available except Lead & Deputy Lead – Have 9th A.F.
       
       
16. Let-Down on Deenethorpe Buncher, if overcast.
    351st A Lead  15° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    401st A High  30° Mag.
    457th A Low  360° Mag.
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields. - Langham - 52°56’N-00°58’E
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    Radio silence except for C.W.L. [Combat Wing Leader]
    Spares turn back at Enemy Coast.
    Leader may monitor Channel A.
    

1. General Narrative. Twenty aircraft were scheduled to take off as the Lead Group of the 94th Combat Wing for the Mission of 29 May, 1944. The group assembly was made over the Deenethorpe buncher at 10,500 feet after the aircraft took off at 0830 hours. The weather was good and the assembly was made as briefed.
    The combat wing was assembled over the Deenethorpe buncher without incident and the formation left there on course and on time. The entire route was flown with a minimum of variation as to course and times, as indicated on the following Track Chart.
    The formation while bombing was quite good. The Low and High Groups took the proper interval with plenty of time for a long straight run. The Lead Group formation was good, with all the ships flying as close as practicable.
    The reassembly of the combat wing after bombing was done without difficulty.
    Fighter opposition and flak were moderate, but luckily, ineffective. Fighters in any numbers were encountered only on the line between the target and control point five. Approximately twenty enemy aircraft were in the area, but they all picked the combat wing formation ahead of ours for their attacks, with the exception of four twin engine fighters which were getting in position to attack the 94th Combat Wing when a single escorting Mustang interrupted long enough to shoot all four down. Moderate and accurate flak was encountered in the Dummer Lake area and again at the target. Battle damage was received, but no personnel casualties were suffered.
    One aircraft ditched in the North Sea after having lost two engines. One engine was lost before reaching the target and the second over the Kiel peninsula. It has been reported that the crew is safe.
    After leaving control point five, no difficulties were encountered with the possible exception of a small amount of flak over the Kiel peninsula. The combat wing returned without incident.
    Difficulties encountered on the mission were extremely light, considering the length of it. Fighter escort was good and no casualties were suffered by this group. Return to base was made as planned and landings were carried out at 1751 hours.
   
   
2. Aircraft Not Attacking. The scheduled formation consisted of twenty aircraft, including two flying spares. Aircraft 42-3542, pilot Lt. Trombley, was scheduled as a flying spare and returned as planned from mid-channel. At that time there were no positions to fill in the Lead Group formation. Aircraft 42-97798, pilot Lt. Walker, made a late take off and caught up to the combat wing formation as they were entering enemy territory. Due to the fact that no positions were unfilled, this aircraft, scheduled as a flying spare, returned to base.
    Aircraft 42-31714, pilot Lt. Nay, turned back from just inside the enemy coast, with erratic #1 and #4 superchargers. The aircraft flying the second element of the low squadron (of which Lt. Nay was the squadron leader), 42-38153, pilot Lt. Willard, reported that he followed Lt. Nay out of formation and could not regain position. Both aircraft returned to base.
    The remaining sixteen aircraft continued on course as indicated in the General Narrative and attacked the primary target. The formation after the return of abortives and flying spares and over the target is indicated on the attached diagram.
   
   
3. Aircraft Lost. Aircraft 42-39853, pilot Lt. Neal, feathered one engine one hour before the target and stayed in the formation until the #3 engine was hit by flak at 1520 hours. The aircraft was last seen circling a Danish town as if to land near 54°34’N - 09°18’E [1 mile WSW of Sollerup, Germany.] at 1520. Later reports indicate that the complete crew has been picked up by air-sea rescue and is now at North Pickenham.
   
   
4. Combat Wing Air Commander. Major Paul L. Fishburne, flying in aircraft 42-107005, was Combat Wing Air Commander of the 94th Combat Bomb Wing.
   
   

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0830 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0915 hours at 10,500 feet.
   3. Formed CBW [Combat Wing] at 0952 hours at 10,500 feet.
   4. Began climb at 0943 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1046 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 1/10ths. Tops 5,000 feet.
      2. Visibility 5 miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 180 degrees. 44 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. Pilotage, GEE, Radio, DR [Dead Reckoning]
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. DRIFT, GEE and Radio
   9. Joined task force at 1009 hours at Cromer.
   10. Departed English Coast at 1039 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1045 ½ hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: [Unreadable] hours.
       2. Coming back: 1336 hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 180 degrees.
       2. 12 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: Pilotage
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of bomb run] at 1244 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 75 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 14,000 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 1555½ hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: Pilotage - Good visibility CAVU [Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited]
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: NONE
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix - 04°20'E
       2. Time 1044 hours.
   17. Comments:

Group: 351st
Target: Sorau, Germany
Method of Bombing: Visual
Altitude: 14,000’
Direction of Attack: 68° Mag. Heading
Wind Direction: 250°
Wind Velocity: 11 MPH
Bombardier’s Narrative: The target was easily picked up and bomb pattern was good. Bombs were away at 1555 ½ on a Mag. Heading of 68°. Hits were observed on the M.P.I. [Mean Point of Impact]. Rate was good. 5 mils extra trail was added to actual trail reading. Photo coverage should be good.

[Signed:] Harry Fireman, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Fireman, Harry  Pilot - Capt. Nesmith, Joseph F. Navigator - 1st Lt. Korf, Leonard L.
Aircraft B-17G   005-G  Take-off - 0830 Landed - 1735
Objective - Sorau, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As briefed
Initial Point - As briefed
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 16   Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: One
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: ____   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____   Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 500 LB. G.P. [General Purpose]
Number of Bombs Loaded - 10   Released - 10
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Right of M.P.I.
Mean Temp. Metro -11 Actual -10.5
Winds - Altitude - 14,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 230°  Actual 200°  Velocity - Metro 11  Actual 11
Temp C. - Metro -2° C. Actual -2° C.

1. The target for this group was the assembly hangar of the FW Flugzeugbau at Sorau, Germany. Photo coverage was good.
2. The main concentration fell in the target area. The pattern is small but is in three concentrations. The bombs of the lead ship caused an explosion in the stores bldg. Other damage includes: Six hits on hangar (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact], hit at corner of assembly bldg., near miss on assembly bldg. (heavy blast damage), heavy concentration of bursts on main office bldg., hit on machine shop, damage to at least one hut in workers camp.
   1. The pattern measures 1320’ by 1440’ and the actual MPI is about 100 feet right of the briefed MPI.

1. Eight (8) bombs of G-43 leaflets were dropped in the target area. In accordance with instructions from 1st Bomb. Division, only one ship was loaded with leaflets.
2. Photos show that bombing was good. The MPI was hit. The buildings next to the MPI were also hit; the main concentration of bombs was 800 feet right of the AP [Aiming Point].
3. Approximately 25 to 30 E/A [Enemy Aircraft] were encountered by this Group, flying lead box in our Wing formation, between Sorau and Stettin [Szczecin, Poland] at 1259 to 1330 hours. The E/A, including mostly ME 109’s and some FW 190’s and ME 210’s or 410’s, were not very aggressive in their attacks on this Group, although B-17’s in other wings were hit. Our claims are 2 - 1 - 0 [Destroyed, Probably Destroyed, Damaged]. No further tactics report is forthcoming.
4. Flak was first encountered at Meppen, where it was accurate for height and fair for deflection. At Diepholz there was moderate accurate flak, and in the same area flak around Dummer Lake appeared to be aimed at the Wing to our right. There was meager flak at Juterbog, fair for altitude and poor for deflection. At the target flak was meager and generally inaccurate; most of it was below our formation, probably fired from light flak installations. At Kappeln there was meager flak which was aimed at our formation with great accuracy. Flak was also observed some distance from our formation over Bremen, Osnabruck, and in the area of Dessau and Wittenberg.
5. Weather was CAVU [Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited] throughout the mission.
6. A seaplane base was observed at 54°05’N-14°45’E [Near Dziwnow, Poland]. About 15 A/C were seen anchored at this base. At 51°37’N-14°10’E [Near Neupetershain, Germany], 20 S/E [Single Engine] fighters were dispersed through the area. There is much shipping activity around Kiel. Three large ships, each pulling four smaller ships in a “V” formation, were observed in that vicinity. At 54°35’N-10°45’E [West of Fehmarn, Germany], five large vessels were seen heading in an easterly direction. A large transport vessel was observed at 54°22’N-11°25’E [East of Fehmarn, Germany], at 1555 hours heading in a SE direction. At 54°34’N-10°46’E [In water WNW of Fehmarn, Germany], at 1600 hours a tanker was observed going SE, leaving an oil slick in its wake. A huge smoke screen was sent up at 52°27’N-10°50’E [Near Wolfsburg, Germany], northeast of Brunswick in the bend of the canal.
7. PFF units were not employed by this group. Fighter support was good. Our A/C 853-P was last seen with two engines out and circling a Danish town, as if to land, near 54°34’N-09°18’E [Near Sollerup, Germany] at 1520 hours. At 1315 hours one unidentified B-17 was seen going down. Twenty minutes later another unidentified B-17 went down and eight chutes were seen coming from this ship. At 1220 hours, 52°35’N-15°30’E [South of Skwierzyna, Poland], four unidentified B-17’s were destroyed, one blew up with no chutes seen, one caught fire and five chutes were seen coming from it, one went down under control with six chutes coming from it, and one feathered an engine and left the formation. All three ships were from the wing ahead of ours. C-1 [Autopilot] equipment functioned well, although the sight was not good.

1. Target: Assigned - Sorau, Germany Bombed - Sorau, Germany
2. Route as Flown. - As briefed.
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - Nil cloud   B. En route - Nil to 1/10 cloud
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - seen  (b) Enroute - seen
 Any Condensation Trails? - No
5. Description of Flak, including type of Fire Control: Meager, generally inaccurate for both height and deflection. Most of it was below our formation, probably continuous following from light installations. A few bursts appeared at our altitude.
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 [Unreadable] -- Intense, observed.
 Meppen [Unreadable] Meager, height good, deflection fair.
 Osnabrück, [Unreadable] -- Moderate, observed.
 Dümmer Lake, [Unreadable] -- Intense, aimed at Wing to our right.
 Diepholz, [Unreadable] -- Moderate, accurate.
 Jüterbog, [Unreadable] -- Meager, height fair, deflection poor.
 Dessau and Wittenberg Area, [Unreadable] -- Moderate, observed.
 Kappeln, [Unreadable] -- Meager, extremely accurate; one of our ships had an engine knocked out of commission and a ship from another formation appeared to be shot down here, for ship which was hit here had previously had another engine knocked out by flak, and failed to return from the mission.
 All encountered flak was continuous following.
7. Was Chaff carried? - No  How discharged? ___
8. Position of Group - Lead
9. Group – 351 A/C over enemy terr. – 16, A/C damaged – 11, A/C lost to flak – 1, Time over Target – 1555½ , 
Time of bombs away – 1555½, Height – 14,000’, Axis of attack – 68° Mag Bomb run – 3 min.
10. Comments - Phenomena: None

    509th Sqdn.
A/C 202-Z Well planned mission but could use more fighters before bombs away and after bombs away. – Lt. Medick.
A/C 384-T Crew wants to buy the P-51 pilot who shot down four E/A [Enemy Aircraft], a gallon of whiskey if we find out who he was. – Whole Crew.

    511th Sqdn.
A/C 238-A Squadron lead aborted, without giving any signal; we almost followed him. – Lt. Karagiannis.
  P-38’s dropped belly tanks right through our formation. – Crew
  Zotollo took over squadron lead, and did an excellent job of leading. – Lt.Karagiannis.
A/C 216-Y Do not think French toast id [sic] good for breakfast. Too heavy. – Sgt. Barton.

[Signed] Benjamin L. Berkow, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Ass’t. S-2 [Intelligence]

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-97798, 508th Squadron, returned early because formation was filled when Pilot caught it due to late take-off, caused by changing airplanes at take-off time. Pilot reported low oil pressure just before take-off on original Airplane No. 42-39848. Both ground and flight check revealed no defects
   2. Airplane No. 42-3542, 509th Squadron, returned early as planned.
   3. Airplane No. 42-31714, 511th Squadron, returned early because No. 1 and No. 4 engine manifold pressure fluctuated 3 inches either way at 21,000’ altitude and #1 cylinder head temperature drops at altitude; according to Pilot’s statement. Ground checked OK. Flight checked by Pilot reported Manifold Pressure on #1, #2, and #4 oscillating 1 to 2 inches each side of setting from 7,000’ to 20,000’; at power settings of 2,000 RPM and 30”Hg. and 2,300 RPM and 38” Hg. Airplane will be further flight checked as soon as possible.
   4. Airplane No. 42-38153, 511th Squadron, returned early because Pilot followed Squadron Leader, 42-31714 out of formation and before he realized Squadron Leader was aborting he was too far behind and too low to safely chase the formation (Pilot’s statement).
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-97202, 509th Squadron. One flak hole through left side of vertical stabilizer causing skin and corrugation damage. Flak hole through left side of fuselage, forward of tail compartment causing skin damage. Flak hole through top of left outer wing panel causing skin damage. Flak hole through leading edge of right wing.
   2. Airplane No. 42-31384, 509th Squadron. Two flak holes through underside of right outer wing panel causing skin damage. Flak hole through right bomb-bay door causing skin damage. Flak hole through underside of left horizontal stabilizer causing skin damage. Two flak holes through top of right wing tip causing skin damage. Flak hole through top of right inner wing panel causing skin damage. Flak hole top of left inner wing panel causing skin damage.
   3. Airplane No. 42-30499, 509th Squadron. Two flak holes through underside of left inner wing panel causing skin damage. One flak hole through top of trailing edge of right wing causing skin damage.
   4. Airplane No. 42-37845, 509th Squadron. One flak hole through right side of fuselage, forward of stabilizer causing damage to AFCE [Automatic Flight Control Equipment [Autopilot]] wiring. Flak hole through underside of #3 nacelle causing damage to exhaust stack. Two flak holes through underside of left outer wing panel. Flak hole through underside of right inner wing panel causing skin damage. Flak hole through left flap causing skin damage. Two flak holes through left elevator causing skin damage. One flak hole through top of navigator's compartment causing skin damage.
   5. Airplane No. 42-97144, 509th Squadron. Four flak holes through top of right inner wing panel causing damage to skin and main fuel tank. Two flak holes through right outer wing panel. Two flak holes through left outer wing causing skin damage. One flak hole through top left inner wing panel causing skin damage. No. 3 propeller damaged by flak. Flak hole through right vertical stabilizer. Flak hole through underside of left outer wing panel. Flak hole through underside of left inner wing panel causing skin damage. Flak hole through left elevator.
   6. Airplane No. 42-97169, 509th Squadron. Flak hole through underside of #2 nacelle causing skin damage. Flak hole through underside of right outer wing panel. Flak hole through navigator’s left window causing damage to “G” box bonding. Flak hole through left side of navigator’s compartment causing damage to stringer and circumferential stiffener. Two flak holes through left vertical stabilizer. One flak hole through top of right outer wing panel causing skin damage. Flak hole through leading edge of left wing causing skin damage.
   7. Airplane No. 42-37780, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through top of left outer wing panel. Flak hole through top of right outer wing panel causing skin damage. Two flak holes through top of left elevator.
   8. Airplane No. 42-107005, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through top of fuselage, forward of radio hatch. Flak hole through top of right inner wing panel. Flak hole through top of #3 and #4 nacelles causing skin damage. Flak hole through left side of vertical stabilizer.
   9. Airplane No. 42-31875, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through top of #4 nacelle causing damage to cylinder. Flak hole through underside of #1 nacelle. Flak hole through underside of right inner wing panel. Flak hole through left side of navigator’s compartment causing skin damage.
   10. Airplane No. 42-107216, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through bottom of #3 nacelle causing damage to #3 cylinder. Flak hole through underside of #2 nacelle. Flak hole through underside of right inner wing panel causing damage to main fuel tank.
   11. Airplane No. 42-31238, 511th Squadron. Three flak holes through underside of right outer wing panel. Two flak holes through underside of left outer wing panel causing damage to Tokyo tank and stringer. Two flak holes through left side of fuselage, forward of stabilizer causing damage to skin. Flak hole through bottom of plexiglass nose.
   
   

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK		BY FIGHTER		BY FRIEND
   11		11		11		0		0

1. The Station Ordnance Officer reported the expenditure of 15,125 rounds of Caliber .50 ammunition, including 7,450 rounds on A/C 42-39853 which is missing in action, on the Mission of 29 May, 1944.

1. Following is the disposition of all bombs loaded for the Lead Combat Box for the Mission of 29 May, 1944.

1. Following interrogation, a negative report is hereby submitted for the above date.

Aircraft No. 1714  Squadron - 511   Pilot - Nay
Time of Abortive - 1100  Location when Aborted - 52°35’N-04°05’E [23 miles off coast WNW of IJmuiden, Netherlands.]
Reason - #1 and #4 manifold pressure would increase and decrease 3 to 5 inches at altitude. #1 cyl. [cylinder] head temp. would also flux. Temp on #3 engine run extra hot.
Disposition of Bombs: Retained
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 21,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks:
[Signed] Benjamin F. Nay, Jr.



Aircraft No. 8153  Squadron - 511   Pilot - Willard
Time of Abortive - 1100  Location when Aborted - Over Zuider Zee
Reason - Pulling emergency power (2900 rpm & 42”) during climb and dropping back. Sqdn. Leader pulled to left of group and back before dropping wheels. When we realized he was aborting we were too far behind to safely regain formation.
Disposition of Bombs: Brought back
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 20,500’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks:
[Signed] R. L. Willard, 1st Lt., A.C. [Air Corps]
[Handwritten in:] SORTIE? No / CFB [Clinton F. Ball]



Aircraft No. 3542  Squadron - 509   Pilot - Trombley
Time of Abortive - 1034   Location when Aborted - Mid Channel
Reason - Flying Spare
Disposition of Bombs: B B [Brought Back]
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 18,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks:
[Signed] R.J. Trombley



Aircraft No. 7798  Squadron - 510   Pilot - Walker
Time of Abortive - 1051   Location when Aborted - 52°37’N-04°37’E [Coast line at Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands.]
Reason - Caught formation as they were going into enemy territory – Formation was full.
  ABORTIVE SPARE Disposition of Bombs: Brought back
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 21,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: Explained to Wing that the spare had taken Walker’s place when Walker couldn’t take off on time. On catching the formation, Walker found it full.
[Signed] Charlie M. Walker, 1st Lt.

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

   a. 94th Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 7798–H
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 1384–T, 7169–N, 7202–Z, 7845–F,1725–L, 0499–Q, 7144–R, 7193–D, 9914–S, (3542–V Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 7252–K, (9853–P Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 7005–K, 1875–P, 1714–R, 1238–A, 7216–Y, 8153–F, 7780–G
   P.F.F. Sqdn ___ A/C: ___

   
   
2. Target: GY-4861
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T SYB R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T MAQ R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T JOJ R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T MTS R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0815; Take-Off – 0830; E.T.D. Field – 0830
   b. ___ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1011	14,000 Ft	Cromer

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1054	22,000 Ft	52°37'N-04°37'E [10 miles NE of Dunkirk, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1529	14,000 Ft	54°30'N-09°00'E [At the coast of Husum, Germany]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1708	5,000 Ft	Cromer

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1749 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "G"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    508 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb] GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    509 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb] GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    510 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb] GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    511 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb] GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2700 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: Paul A. Fishbourne Rank: Major A/C: 8005-Q   Sqdn. 511th
    b. ____ Box: Name: ___ Rank: ___ A/C: ___ Sqdn. ___
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None
15. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:
16. Lead Box

    Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	7798–H	____	____	509	1384–T	____	____
    					7169–N	____	____
    					7202–Z	____	____
    					7845–F	____	____
    					1725–L	____	____
    					0499–Q	____	____
    					7144–R	____	____
    					7193–P	____	____
    					9914–S	____	____
    				Flying Spare	3542–V	____	____
    510	7252–K	____	____	511	7005–Q	____	____
    Flying Spare	9853–P	____	____		1875–P	____	____
    					9848–C	____	____
    					1714–R	____	____
    					1238–A	____	____
    					7216–Y	____	____
    					8153–F	____	____
    					7780–G	____	____

Report Compiled By Rocky Civizzio, T/Sgt.

 Sixteen planes flew a mission to the Focke-Wulf assembly plant at Sorau, Germany. They were led by Major Fishburne and Captain Nesmith, with Lt. Korf and Lt. Maltby as navigators and Lt. Fireman as bombardier. Bombs were dropped in a concentrated pattern on the assembly buildings and machine shops. About 25 to 30 enemy fighters were seen between Sorau and Stettin [Szczecin], but they were not very aggressive. Flak at many points along the route damaged 11 ships.
 At one point on the way, as heavy flak was being thrown up, Sgt. Ruschman, left waist gunner in Lt. Raser’s ship, saw 42-39853, piloted by Lt. Neal, bracketed by 88mm fire. Lt. Neal had already lost an engine on the way in and now a burst of flak knocked out another. As the plane started to drop behind, Sgt. Ruschman watched with horror as a shell passed up through the ball turret and went on through the top of the plane, but without exploding. He was convinced that the ball turret gunner of ‘853 was a dead man. Fortunately, the gunner had moved out from the ball turret some time before. Oil leaking from the damaged engine had blown onto the turret, obscuring his vision.
 With the plane losing speed and altitude, Lt. Neal turned for home. However, the load proved too much for the remaining two engines. One of them blew a cylinder on the way to the coast. Then the remaining good engine was knocked out by flak at the coast. With only eight cylinders of one engine working, Lt. Neal was forced to ditch. The plane floated for 20 minutes and the whole crew was picked up by Air Sea Rescue.

• A/C# 42-39853   TU-P  "Papa's Passion"  Pilot: Neal    A/C's 23rd Mission   MACR # none

  Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

  Because of the loss of three engines and the fourth engine operating on 8 of its 9 cylinders, the pilot, Lt. Neal, ditched the plane in the North Sea.

  • Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
    • The whole crew were picked up by Air Sea Rescue.
  
   [Wounded - 0]