351st Bomb Group

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

   [LEAD] Box
   Stations   –	0940
   Start Engines –	0950
   Taxi     –	1000
   Take Off   –	1015
   Last Take Off –	____

   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: 4 Howitzers on Boulogne Coast
   Secondary: ____
   Last Resort: ____
   
   
4. Loading:
   351 “A”: 12 x 500 [lb.] 1/10 1/100 [Fuses]
   351 “B”:
   Composite:
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - Hales in J-971  No Nickels
   Chaff: 192 units in each A/C - dropped 6 min. before target.
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading: 1700 gallons
   Remarks:
   
   

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

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead		All grps. in Boulogne area	1202 for 351st
   2nd		3rd Div. in area from 1200 to 1210
   3rd		2nd Div. in area from 1240 to 1250
   4th
   5th
   6th
   7th
   8th
   2nd Division
   3rd Division
   Marauders
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: ____
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]
     3 grps. P-47’s & 1 grp.P-38’s	Target Area Support	[Balance One]
     _________
     _________

     
     
9. Group Assembly:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   351st	14,500'	Splasher 16
   401st	16,000'	Splasher 16
   457th	13,000'	Splasher 16

   Gain altitude between Sp. 16 to Sp. 9 to Sp. 16
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - _____
    
13. Special Instructions to Navigators, Bombardiers and Radio Operators:
    Bombardiers do not drop short.
    No second runs will be made.
    Release chaff from IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] to target.
    Spares back at French Coast.
    Guns need not be test fired.
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing –	IP - Short Stuff
    Visual Bombing -	____
    Authenticator –	Quick Silver
    Recall -	Gold brick Dan
    Weather Code -	VIBTA
    Release "CHAFF" -	Tin Hat

    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Remarks
    351st A	Woodcraft Red Two	RY [Red Yellow]
    351st B
    401st A	Woodcraft White One	G [Green]
    401st B
    457th A	Woodcraft Blue Three	R [Red]
    457th B
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.
    40th C.B.W.
    41st C.B.W.
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Balance 1
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers	Vinegrove 2 - 2
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    

    Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
    _____		______
    _____		______

    Remarks: ____
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    June 2- 0200 - 0800	GG	G	Q
    June 2- 0800 - 1400	YY	J	M
    June 2- 1400 - 2000	RY	B	X

    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All except
    2. - Auten in K-252, Raser in M-196
    3. - Walker in R-038, Borchert in A-560
    4. -
       
       
16. Let-Down on Deenethorpe Buncher, if overcast.
    351st A   20° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st B   ___° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    401st A   360° Mag.
    457th A   40° Mag.
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    Raser in M-196, Karagiannis in N-169, Condon in J-857 -- camera ships return just before English Coast peel off at French Coast, full speed to base.
    Weather ship – Jabwock X xray
    Strike message to cycle on Channel “B”.
    Note: J-601 PFF ship [&] U-381 Deputy - These ships have two five gallon cans filled with water to be used emergency on smoke bombs. as decontamination on persons or equipment.
    
    

1. General Narrative. Twenty aircraft, including two flying spares and one PFF ship, took off from base at 1015 – 1029 hours. No combat wing formation had been planned. Individual aircraft gained altitude between Splashers 16 and 9. The briefed route was followed from Splasher 9 back to Splasher 16, the planes forming a group formation on the way. The group completed its formation while circling and was wholly formed at departure time (1128). Due to the fact that the group had formed slightly east of the splasher, a route parallel to and slightly east of the briefed route was followed to the point of departure from the English coast. It was possible for the Group Leader to gradually swing over to the briefed course before the departure. As a result, departure from the English coast was made only slightly east of the briefed course and two minutes early.
    The IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was reached one and one-half minutes early. A long steady bombing run was made and bombs were released on the PFF ship leading the formation. The navigator, Lt. Gootee, homed on GEE while the mickey operator killed for rate. All GEE fixes established bombs away at the correct BRL. The formation of the group at “Bombs Away” is indicated on the attached diagram. The target was attacked three minutes early and the same difference in time was maintained until the English coast was reached on the return route.
    Observations of bombing results could not be made due to the presence of cloud cover in the target area. Enemy opposition in the form of aircraft or flak was nil.
    The English coast was crossed one minute early slightly west of course. At that point the camera ships fell out of formation and returned directly to base. The rest of the formation flew west of course in returning to base. No difficulties were encountered.
    The PFF aircraft landed at its own base and the rest of the group formation made its return to base. Landings were made at 1432 – 1446 hours.
   
2. Aircraft Not Attacking. Nineteen aircraft, including two flying spares, were scheduled for the Mission of 2 June, 1944. The two flying spares returned to base as planned from mid-channel when there was no unfilled positions in the formation. Aircraft 42-38028, pilot Lt. Power, did not bomb when over the target due to another aircraft being directly under this ship. Bombs were returned to base. The remaining sixteen aircraft released their bombs as briefed, with the exceptions of those indicated in the Armament Report. Some rack difficulties were encountered, and as a result 19 bombs were returned to base and one was jettisoned.
   
3. Aircraft Lost. No aircraft were lost on the Mission of 2 June, 1944.
   
4. Group Leader. This group was led by Lt. Maginn, flying in PFF A/C 42-97601.
   
   

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 1015 hours.
   2. Group formed at 1128 hours at 14,500 feet.
   3. Formed CBW [Combat Wing] at ____ hours at ____ feet.
   4. Began climb at 1128 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1200 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 6/10ths. Tops 7,000 feet.
      2. Visibility 25 miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 280 degrees. 45 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. DR [Dead Reckoning], GEE
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. Pilotage and GEE
   9. Joined task force at ____ hours at ____
   10. Departed English Coast at 1200 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1221 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: ____ hours.
       2. Coming back: ____ hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 280 degrees.
       2. 45 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: Pilotage and GEE
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of bomb run] at 1215 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 126 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 20,000 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 1221 hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: GEE Homing and Mickey - Overcast
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: NONE
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix 50°20'N-02°00'E [16.5 miles NE of Abbeville, France]
       2. Time 1231 hours.
   17. Comments: ____

Group: 351st
Target: Boulogne, France
Method of Bombing: P.F.F.
Altitude: 20,000’
Direction of Attack: 135° Mag. Heading
Wind Direction: 280°
Wind Velocity: 52 MPH
Bombardier’s Narrative: The Lead Box, 351st Bombardment Gp. (H), bombed the Primary Target at Boulogne, France. Bombing was PFF on a Magnetic Heading of 135°. “Bombs Away” took place at 1221 hours.

[Signed:] John E. Dunnigan, 2nd Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Bombardier - 2nd Lt. Dunnigan, John E.  Pilot - 1st Lt. McGinn, Lewis J. Navigator - 2nd Lt. Gootee, N. L.
Aircraft B-17G   601-J  Take-off - 1015 Landed - 1410
Objective - of Opportunity – Gun emplacement (5001E/31-N) near Boulogne, France.
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - P.F.F.
Initial Point - Dungeness, England
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 18   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] & 1 Sky Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - 10 X 500 LB. & 1 Marker   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - P.F.F. On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Not observed
Mean Temp. Metro -.5 Actual - 1
Winds - Altitude - 20,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 250°  Actual 280°  Velocity - Metro 46  Actual 52
Temp C. - Metro -16° C. Actual -18° C.

508th Squadron
A/C 949-G: Arming wire on three bombs was not attached to shackle – negligence on part of Ordnance or Armament. – Lt. Branaman.

510th Squadron
A/C 560-A: We want two more just like this. – Crew Members.
A/C 038-R: Food is too greasy; stew three days in a row. – Sgt. Goldthorpe.

511th Squadron
A/C 524-D: P-38 came in without showing his wings and almost got shot. – Lt. Smith.
A/C 169-N: Stephen J. Henry wants his promotion; he feels that it is unjust that he fly as Buck Sgt. while other crew-men have Staff ratings. – Crew Members.

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-97216, 509th Squadron returned early as planned.
   2. Airplane No. 42-107077, 510th Squadron returned early as planned.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. No Battle Damage received.

1. The following malfunctions were reported on the Mission of 2 June, 1944.
   1. A/C 43-37515 – (All electrical) The right side of the bomb bay did not release in salvo as briefed. The salvo micro switch went out at altitude. This was the first mission for this ship.
   2. A/C 42-102949 – (All electrical) The second bomb on the bottom of the right inboard rack did not release. Reason: Broken connection on the cannon plug [Electrical Connector] in the A-4 release. This is the first mission for this ship.
   3. A/C 42-102971 – (All electrical) The top inboard bomb had to be released by hand, and was jettisoned in the Wash [a large bay on the coast 40 miles NE of Polebrook]. A faulty A-4 release was discovered. This, also, is a new aircraft on its first mission.
   4. A/C 42-38028 – Bombs were not dropped, but were returned to base because another aircraft was under this one on the bombing run.
2. Twelve (12) all electrical aircraft participated in this Mission.
3. A total of 570 rounds of Caliber .50 ammunition was expended on this mission, the Station Ordnance Officer has reported.

1. The following data indicates the disposition of bombs on the Mission of this date:

1. Following interrogation a negative report is hereby submitted for combat mission of the above date.

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

   a. 94th Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 7349–B, 2949–G, 7948–C, 2798–H, 2971–J
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 7193–P, 1384–T, 7169–N, (7216–U Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 7252–K, 7196–M, 1560–A, 8038–R, 8028–Q, 7515–L, (7077–D Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 7381–U, 1714–R, 7524–D
   P.F.F. Sqdn 324 A/C: 7601–J

2. Target: 4/J/246 ILL 311N
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T JSU R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T SMX R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T HSO R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T TFW R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 1000; Take-Off – 1015; E.T.D. Field – _____
   

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1202	20,000 Ft	50°50'N-00°13'W [3/4 mi. east of Southwick, England]

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1225	20,000 Ft	50°42'N-01°34'E [Boulogne, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1234	20,000 Ft	50°17'N-01°33'E [Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, France]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1321	15,000 Ft	Shoreham

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1359 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Low Box
    508 Squadron: 12 x 500 GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail [Fuses]
    509 Squadron: 12 x 500 GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail [Fuses]
    510 Squadron: 12 x 500 GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail [Fuses]
    511 Squadron: 12 x 500 GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail [Fuses]
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 1700 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: L.J. Maginn Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: 7601-J  Sqdn. 324th
    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	7349–B	____	____	509	7193–P	____	____
    	2949–G	____	____		1384–T	____	____
    	7843–C	____	____		7169–N	____	____
    	7798–H	____	____	Spare	7216–U	____	____
    	2971–J	____	____
    510	7252–K	____	____	511	7381–U	____	____
    	7196–M	____	____		1714–R	____	____
    	1560–A	____	____		7524–D	____	____
    	8038–R	____	____
    	8028–Q	____	____
    	7515–L	____	____
    Spare	7077–D	____	____
    324 P.F.F.	7601–J	____	____

    Report Compiled By John Maksimik, S/Sgt.