351st Bomb Group

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

   High Box			Lead Box			Low Box
   Stations   –	0535 - 0935		Stations   –	0535 - 0935		Stations   –	0545 - 0945
   Start Engines –	0545 - 0945		Start Engines –	0545 - 0945		Start Engines –	0555 - 0955
   Taxi     –	0555 - 0955		Taxi     –	0555 - 0955		Taxi     –	0605 - 1005
   Take Off   –	0610 - 1010		Take Off   –	0610 - 1010		Take Off   –	0620 - 1020
   Last Take Off –	____		Last Take Off –	____		Last Take Off –	___

   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: ____
   Secondary: ____
   Last Resort: ____
   
   
4. Loading:
   351 “A”: ____
   351 “B”: ____
   351 “C”:  Max. [No. of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
   Composite:
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - ____
   Chaff: At French Coast for 12 minutes.
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading: Normal
   Remarks: ____
   
   

6. Wing Formation	94th (A) CBW	94th (B) CBW	94th (C) CBW	Comp. CBW
   Lead			351 - 511 [Squadron]
   Low			351 - 508 [Squadron]
   High			351 - 509 [Squadron]

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	94 A
   2nd	94 B
   3rd	94 C
   4th	41 A
   5th	41 B
   6th	41 C
   7th	40 A
   8th	40 B etc.
   2nd Division	Same Area	Before 1st Division
   3rd Division	Same Area	Before 1st Division
   Marauders
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: ____
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]
     Area Support	_______	[Balance]

     
     
9. Group Assembly:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   94–C Lead	13,000'	Kings Cliffe
   Low	12,000'	Kings Cliffe
   High	14,000'	Kings Cliffe

   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - _____
    
13. Special Instructions to Gunners, Bombardiers, and Radio Operators:
    A. Type of Bombing Formation - 12 Ship Groups
    B. Camera A/C to return - F-153; H-952; L-676; U-216; V-509; C-843
    * Bombs must not be dropped short – targets are 1,500 yards south of forward line.
    * Friendly artillery will lay down RED smoke markers along North boundary of target at 2 minute intervals for 55 minutes. [Actually 45 min. per F.O. [Field Order] – Zero + 5 until Zero + 50.]
    
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing –	____
    Visual Bombing -	SEE [Pilot's] FLIMSY
    Authenticator –	Daisy June
    Recall -	Over The Top
    Weather Code -	VBTAI
    Release "CHAFF" -	Tin Hat

    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Remarks
    351st Lead	Woodcraft Charlie Lead	YY [Yellow Yellow]
    351st Low	Woodcraft Charlie Low	RR [Red Red]
    351st High	Woodcraft Charlie High	GG
    401st A
    401st B
    457th A
    457th B
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.
    40th C.B.W.
    41st C.B.W.
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Balance One
    R.A.F. Fighters	____
    Bombers	Vinegrove 3 -
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    

    Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
    _____		S - St. Brieuc
    _____		T - Azranches
    _____		R - Zire
    _____		I - Rouen
    _____		P - Evereux
    _____		E - Paris

    
    Remarks: ____
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0200 – 0800	R-R	Y	G
    0800 – 1400	R-RR	W	O
    1400 – 2000	G-G	L	J

    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All A/C monitor except the following:
    2. - D-957; Z-696; S-318
    3. - P-258; L-676; Z-046
    4. - All A/C [Aircraft] have available
       
    
    
16. Let-Down on Kings Cliffe, if overcast.
    351st A Lead  075° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st B Low   060° Mag.
    351st C High  090° Mag.
    401st A   ___° Mag.
    457th A   ___° Mag.
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    Lt. Whitaker – stay on Channel A at all times – have R.O. [Radio Operator] monitoring Channel A.
    Use Frag-formation on Bomb run.
    Low element of low sq. - start left of lead element & pull up abreast.
    Boxes will bomb abreast. Get proper altitude after leaving English Coast Lead & Low – 16,000’ & High – 17,000’.
    Flying spares turn back mid-Channel – maintain altitude until crossing English Coast.
    

1. General Narrative. Thirty-nine aircraft, including three flying spares, of the 351st Group took off at 1004 – 1025 hours, flying as the 94th “C” Combat Wing. The assembly at Kings Cliffe buncher was normal and was completed ten minutes prior to the departure time. On the first leg to Market Harborough the 94th “B” Combat Wing crossed behind to the right and then back to the left, cutting off the “C” wing and joining their correct position behind the “A” wing. All three wings then proceeded at intervals of one minute or less to Splasher 11. On this leg two 41st Combat Wing formations and one or two formations of the 40th, it is believed, joined from the right and left, some ahead of the 94th “B” and some ahead of the 94th “C”. This condition was brought about by the three 94th Combat Wings running three minutes late on that leg.
    Conditions became unbearable due to congestion and prop wash. Hence, the 94th “C” Wing dropped 1,800 feet to a safer altitude.
    The route to the target was nine-tenths overcast, but all wings were almost exactly on course to the target area. Interval for bombing was taken just prior to the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run]. The low box remained at 16,000 feet, the high box at 17,000’ and the lead box held 15,000 feet.
    The target was open but clouds broke too late on the run to make an accurate sighting. The high box was able to synchronize for range and dropped, but were off to the right, accurate for range. The low box experienced difficulties similar to the lead box in picking up the target in time and went straight ahead, bombing a target of opportunity fifteen miles south of the target area. The lead decided to make a 360° turn and a second run, but clouds again obscured the target, so bombs were held and returned to base.  The high box was instructed to execute a 360° turn just off the French coast and wait for the lead box to join it. VHF contact with the low box was impossible to gain due to the heavy burden on VHF traffic. At the coast the high and lead boxes were still unable to rally, so the high box was instructed to return to base individually. The low box, likewise, returned alone. All aircraft landed safely at base, the lead box returning underneath, the high box on top and executing a let down on the buncher.  No enemy aircraft were sighted. Flak was meager and inaccurate.
   
2. Aircraft Not Attacking. Lead Box. Aircraft 42-31238, pilot Lt. Bjoring, returned from 51°20’N-01°00’W [1.3 miles NNE of Sherfield on Loddon, England] after failure of the #3 engine. The aircraft scheduled as a flying spare replaced the abortive aircraft, and the remaining twelve aircraft continued on the mission. As indicated in the General Narrative, this box did not attack the target due to cloud cover just before the target was reached.
    High Box. There were no failures to attack in the High Box.
    Low Box. The Low Box attacked a target of opportunity at Lonzon [Lozon], France, when it encountered difficulty similar to that of the Lead Box. There were no failures to attack in the Low Box.
   
3. Aircraft Lost. No aircraft were lost on the Mission of 24 July, 1944.
   
4. Combat Wing Air Commander and Group Leaders: Lt. Colonel Clinton F. Ball, Lt. Richard Garcia, and Captain Donald E. Floden were leaders of the Combat Wing, High Box and Low Box of the 94th “C” Combat Wing.
   
5. PFF Aircraft: No PFF aircraft were used by the group or loaned to other groups for this mission.
   

1. No bombs were dropped by the Lead Box 94th “C” CBW on the Mission of 24 July, 1944 – Field Order #446.
2. The following reports will not be submitted:
   1. Combat Bombing Flight Record.
   2. Bombardier’s Narrative for Tactical Targets.

Bombardier’s Narrative for tactical targets for Mission of this date.

1. No flak, fighter attacks, interference by friendly formations, malfunction of equipment encountered on the bombing run.
2. C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was used with good results.
3. Due to haze and clouds, primary target was not identified.
4. The large road which was directly before the target area was identified. No specified point was used as an A.P. [Aiming Point], but dropped the bombs in the vicinity of the target area to do as much damage as possible. This was just south of the bomb line.
5. Clouds prevented visual bombing, being 10/10ths over the target area.
6. A normal turn was made at the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run]
7. Point of impact was not seen.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Palmer, Louis  Pilot - 1st Lt. Garcia, Richard Navigator - 1st Lt. Fagan, George J.
Aircraft B-17G   W-077  Take-off - 1005 Landed - 1500
Objective - Target of Opportunity
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - ____
Initial Point - 49°30’N-01°05’W [9.2 miles East of Quinéville, France]
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 12   Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: ONE
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: Lead Ship   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____    Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 100 LB. Frag. Cluster
Number of Bombs Loaded - 38   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - Inst. [Instantaneous]
Synchronization - P.F.F. Fast
Information at Release Point:   Briefed A.P. [Aiming Point] could not be picked up.

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - NO
Mean Temp. Metro +5 Actual +5
Winds - Altitude -17,295 Ft.  Direction - Metro 290°  Actual 286°  Velocity - Metro 20  Actual 29
Temp C. - Metro -10° C. Actual -8° C.

Bombardier’s Narrative for tactical targets for Mission of this date.

1. No flak, fighter attacks, interference by friendly formations, or malfunction of equipment encountered on the bombing run.
2. C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was not used.
3. Due to clouds, the briefed A.P. [Aiming Point] was not identified.
4. A Target of Opportunity about twenty miles south of the bomb line was bombed.
5. A normal turn was made at the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run]
6. Point of impact was not seen.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Lee, Robert E.   Pilot - Captain Floden, Donald E. Navigator - Captain Badger, William D.
Aircraft # Q-879  Take-off - 1006  Landed - 1459
Objective - Target of Opportunity
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - Twenty miles south of bomb line.
Initial Point - ____
Method of Attack - Group
Number of Attacking A/C in Group - 12    Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own sighting operation - ONE
Deflection and Range sighting, Group - Lead A/C   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____    Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 100 LB. Frag. Cluster
Number of Bombs Loaded - 38    Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - Inst. [Instantaneous]    Tail -
Synchronization - ____
Information at Release Point:   Briefed A.P. [Aiming Point] could not be picked up.

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - Not Observed
Mean Temp. Metro +5 Actual +5
Winds - Altitude - 16,361 Ft.  Direction - Metro 290° Actual 265° Velocity - Metro 18K Actual 20K
Temp C. - Metro -8° C. Actual -7° C.

1. Two boxes of this group attacked tactical targets in the Cherbourg area of France. Photo cover was fair for the low box but clouds prevented coverage for the high box.
2. Bombs away for the high box can be plotted at approximately 3,000 feet due north of Lonzon [Lozon], France. Possible bursts seen on the ground indicate that the bombs fell in open country two miles (10,800’) WSW of the target area.
3. The low box bombed a Target of Opportunity in the area of 48°48’N-01°05’W [.5 mile NW of Le Gast, France]. The bombs cover an area that is approximately 4,000 feet by 2,000 feet, although a definite pattern cannot be plotted. The area contains open fields and two small built up areas, probably farm buildings.

    508th Squadron
A/C 512-S: Worst formation flying I’ve ever seen in second element High squadron of low box. – Lt. Ford.
A/C 349-B: Q-Queenie (lead ship) – Aldus lamp did not light up at time of bombs away. – Lt. Condon.
  Half the turret operators had left their stations when we were only 30 miles away from enemy coast. - Lt. Condon.
  For security reasons it would be a good idea for the bombardier’s kits to have covers. They are laid around in places where many people can see the maps and target. – Lt. Condon.

    511th Squadron
A/C 046-Z: Tell gunnery officer to tell gunners to stop tracking our own aircraft on missions; they are going to shoot someone someday. – T/Sgt. J. Hurley.
A/C 952-H: #3 ship low squadron, lead box, was flying too far back in formation; in fact he was flying behind me and I was in #6 position. – Lt. Morton.

  [Signed] Robert P. Ramsey, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

1. Our A/C N-169, 509th Squadron, while flying at an altitude of 14,000 feet observed a B-17 in distress over the English Channel at an approximate position of 50°20’N-02°35’W [19.75 miles SSW of Weymouth, England]. This aircraft was on fire. Reports of parachutes seen vary from six to eight, and the crew of our observing aircraft stated that several small boats were in the vicinity.

1. Abortives:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31238, 511th Squadron returned early. Pilot stated that #3 Engine started spraying oil at 10,000 feet and the oil pressure dropped to 12 lbs. and then he feathered the engine. Investigation revealed metal particles in the sump and cuno [Filter]. This engine failed internally. (Reason: Mechanical Failure).
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-97381, 511th Squadron. Small flak hole through left wing tip, skin and corrugation damaged.
   2. Airplane No. 42-31875, 511th Squadron. Small flak hole underside of navigator’s section, near escape hatch, skin damage only. Underside of right wing outer panel has a six inch flak tear, top of wing has two inch flak hole, skin corrugation and braces were damaged.
   3. Airplane No. 42-107005, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through left wing outer panel, skin corrugation, diagonal bracing and other structural members damaged. Two inch flak hole through the right wing outer panel, skin and corrugation damaged, also one Tokyo tank was damaged. Small flak hole in #4 supercharger nozzle box. Flak hole in waste gate housing of #1 engine and fairing around housing damaged. Two inch flak hole through dorsal fin, skin and stringers hit.
   4. Airplane No. 42-97318, 511th Squadron. Small flak hole through right wing outer panel, skin and corrugation damaged. Small flak hole leading edge of right wing between #3 and #4 Engines. Skin and former hit. Three inch flak hole through base of dorsal fin, skin, stringers, oxygen lines, vacuum line and wiring damaged.
   5. Airplane No. 42-102046 [Should be 42-107046], 511th Squadron. Small flak hole in fairing of #2 oil cooler. Flak hole through trailing edge of right wing outer panel, skin and corrugation and diagonal brace hit. Small flak hole in right wing near landing light lens, skin damage only.
   
   

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		DAMAGED BY FLAK
   5		5		5

Aircraft No. 42-31238 Squadron - 511th   Pilot - Bjoring
Time of Abortive - 1150  Location when Aborted - 51°20’N-01°00’W [6 miles NE of Basingstoke, England].
Reason For Abortive - No. 3 Engine started spraying oil at 10,000’. After remaining in formation for some time, the oil pressure dropped to 12 P.S.I. Feathered [engine] but could not hold formation. Were over friendly territory and could not salvo. When checked after return found all oil lost.
Disposition of Bombs: B.B. [Brought back]
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 15,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks:
[Signed] Donnell E. Bjoring, 2nd. Lt., Air Corps

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

   a. 94th "C" Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: U–7381, Q–7005, S–7318, X–2571, A–1238, F–8153, K–6139, Z–7046, D–7524, Y–7216, B–7492, H–2952, (P–1875 Flying Spare)
   P.F.F. Sqdn ___ A/C: ___

   
   

   b. 94th "C" Combat Wing   High Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: W–6077, G–6078, Z–7696, N–7169, L–7676, O–7595, X–7926, U–7216, Y–6108, R–6156, P–7193
   Sqdn 510th A/C: C–2576, (R–8038 Flying Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

   
   

   b. 94th "C" Combat Wing   Low Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: Q–1879, B–7349, G–7850, C–7843, H–8004, P–7258, L–7920, D–8146, R–1192
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: D–7957, N–7665, (S–7512 Flying Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

2. Target: Photo Map Book 4902W, Sheets D-22 and E-22
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T SJB R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T NCQ R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T UJF R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T WLS R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi –0555; 0955; Take-Off –0610; 1010; E.T.D. Field –0610; 1010
   b. High Box: Taxi –0555; 0955; Take-Off –0610; 1010; E.T.D. Field –0610; 1010
   c. Low Box: Taxi –0555; 0955; Take-Off –0610; 1010; E.T.D. Field –0610; 1010

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   0809; 1209;	16,000 Ft	Selsey Bill

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   0836; 1236;	16,000 Ft	49°22'N-01°10'W [Coast of France 4 miles NE of Carentan, Normandy]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   0847; 1247;	16,000 Ft	49°05'N-01°35'W [6.6 miles WNW of Coutances, France]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   0948; 1348;	5,000 Ft	Portland Bill

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1042; 1442; Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: Lead Box
    508 Squadron: None
    509 Squadron: None
    510 Squadron: None
    511 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: High Box
    508 Squadron: None
    509 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    510 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    511 Squadron: None
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: Low Box
    508 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    509 Squadron: None
    510 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    511 Squadron: None
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: Normal
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: Clinton F Ball Rank: Lt. Col. A/C: U-7381  Sqdn. 511th
    b. High Box: Name: Richard Garcia Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: W-6077 Sqdn. 509th
    c. Low Box: Name: Donald E. Floden Rank: Capt. A/C: Q-1879 Sqdn. 508th
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None
15. PFF A/C: None
    

Report Compiled By John Maksimik, S/Sgt.