351st Bomb Group

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

   94th "A" Box
   Stations   –	0805
   Start Engines –	0815
   Taxi     –	0825
   Take Off   –	0840
   Last Take Off –	1000

   
   
3. Targets:
   

   	Plan "A"	Plan "B"
   Primary:	Allach (Visual) Munich	Ludwigshaven
   Secondary:	Ludwigshaven (Visual)	Same as Last Resort
   Last Resort:	Any Military Objective in Germany or in Occupied Countries, Any R.R. Bridge, Road Bridge, Marshalling Yard, Troop concentration, supply dump, or column of troops on road that can be positively identified and a visual sighting made.

   
   
4. Loading:
   351 “A”: 10 x 500 G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail [Fuses] All A/C [Aircraft]
   351 “B”:
   Composite:
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - None
   Chaff: All A/C will commence release of chaff at 2 minutes before I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] and continue for 16 minutes. Each A/C will carry 384 units. CW [Combat Wing] Lead R.O. [Radio Operator] will not release chaff - remain at their radio.
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading: 2700 gallons
   Remarks: Emergency Airdrome - Woodbridge 52°05'N-01°24'E
   
   

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

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	40 "A"
   2nd	40 "B"
   3rd	40 "C"
   4th	1st "A"
   5th	1st "B"
   6th	1st "C"
   7th	94th "A"		Clacton Zero [Hour] +12
   8th	94th "B"		Clacton Zero +14
   9th	94th "C"		Clacton Zero +16
   2nd Division
   3rd Division
   Marauders
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: Base Reference 24,000'
   Interval between CBW [Combat Wings] 2 minutes.
   Division Assembly Line - Splasher 7 to Cloxon-on-Sea [sic].
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]
     P-51s	5030-0600E (Close) [Support]	Balance 1-1
     P-47s	5030-0600E (Area)	Balance 1-7
     P-51s	4918-0800E (Front)	Balance 1-2
     P-51s	4918-0800E (Middle)	Balance 1-3
     P-51s	4918-0800E (Rear)	Balance 1-4
     P-47s	4918-0800E (Close)	Balance 1-6
     P-47s	5030-0600E (Area)	Balance 1-7
     P-51s	Target Support (Sweep Nurnberg Area)	Balance 1-5

     
     
9. Group Assembly:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   351 Lead	11,000'	Kingscliffe Buncher
   351 Low	10,000'	Kingscliffe Buncher
   351 High	12,000'	Kingscliffe Buncher
   94 "B" 401 Lead	12,000'	Cottesmore Buncher
   94 "C" 457 Lead	12,000'	Glatton

   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - _____
    
13. Special Instructions to Gunners, Bombardiers, and Radio Operators:
    A. Type of Bombing Formation -
    One A/C in each box loaded with long delays, A-238, N-169, L-920 (Don't bring these back.)
    IP [Initial Point] and method of bombing will be given in clear [language] on "A" Channel VHF by CBW [Combat Bomb Wing] Commander.
    Gunners reminded to stay in turrets and on look out for enemy aircraft. Report turrets not revolving.
    
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing –	in the clear
    Visual Bombing –	in the clear
    Authenticator –	"Sweet Sue"
    Recall –	"Knife and Fork"
    Weather Code –	BATIV
    Release "CHAFF" –	in clear

    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Remarks
    351st Lead	____	GY [Green Yellow]	____
    351st Low		RR [Red Red]
    351st High		GG
    401st		Normal
    457th		Normal
    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 One Seven
    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
    0200 – 0800	RR	P	G
    0800 – 1400	RG	X	V
    1400 – 2000	GY	I	S

    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All A/C except:
    2. - L-7515, Z-696, A-702
    3. - Z-046, R-156, M-900
    4. - All Available
       
    
    
16. Let-Down on Kingscliffe Buncher, if overcast.
    

    	[Group]		[Buncher]		[Magnetic Compass Heading]
    94th "A"	351st Lead		Kingscliffe		030° Mag.
    	351st Low		Kingscliffe		015° Mag.
    	351st High		Kingscliffe		045° Mag.
    94th "B"	401st Lead		Cottersmore		340° Mag.
    	401st Low		Cottersmore		355° Mag.
    	401st High		Cottersmore		010° Mag.
    94th "C"	457th Lead		Glatton		065° Mag.
    	457th Low		Glatton		050° Mag.
    	457th High		Glatton		080° Mag.

    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    Radio silence to be maintained except by CBW Leader where use is necessary for assembly.
    Spares turn back at Mid Channel.
    CBW Commanders will announce in the clear on "A" channel VHF when to start and stop discharge of chaff. R/O [Radio Operator] will be reminded of importance of discharging chaff properly.
    Announce IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] and type of bombing in the clear.
    

1. Mission Date - 31 July, 1944.
   1. Target – Munich, Germany.
   2. Force – 94th "A" Combat Wing. – Thirty-nine aircraft including three flying spares took off.
   3. Position – Briefed to be first in 94th Combat Wing and seventh in Division. Flew forth in Division.

   4. Lead Team	CBW Air Commander:	Major John B. Carraway.
      	Pilot:	Lt. John R. White.
      	Navigator:	Lt. J.R. Gulnac.
      	Bombardier:	Lt. Warren C. Steitz.

2. Narrative.
   1.  Group & Wing Assembly - The three group formations of the 351st Group took off as planned and assembled group and combat wing formations over the King's Cliff buncher at 13,000 feet. No difficulty was encountered in the assembly.
   2.  Route Over England – Flown as briefed with the exception of a slight divergency between the assembly point and March. Due to the presence of unanticipated cross winds, it was necessary to make a curve to the north in order to be on course from March to Splasher 7. This was completed easily, March was reached at the briefed altitude at 1019, one minute early.
   3.  Division Assembly – The Division Assembly was flown as briefed. Departure from Splasher 7 was made on time and on course. The English coast was crossed at 15,000 feet at 1042 (as briefed). The 94th "A" Combat Wing found itself fourth in the Division Formation, due to the tardiness of preceding wings.
   4.  Flight to Target – The flight to the target was made with only minor variances from the briefed route. The enemy coast was crossed as briefed in respect to coordinates, time, and altitude. Variances between briefed and actual times at control points seldom varied by more than one minute. The target was reached at 1303 - two minutes early.
   5.  Description of Bombing Run – Munich was attacked by dropping on the smoke bombs on the preceding combat wing when the PFF equipment in the lead aircraft became inoperative. Cloud cover would not permit a visual sighting. The target area was covered by ten-tenths cloud. A normal turn was made at the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run]. "Bombs Away" took place at 1303 hours on a heading of 161°.
   6.  Flight From Target – The return route was flown as briefed in respect to route and altitude. Control points were reached early on the return, starting with the target two minutes early and base eighteen minutes early. The enemy coast was crossed at the briefed point at the briefed altitude of 20,000 feet. The formation was twenty-two minutes early at the enemy coast. A normal let-down proceedure [sic] was followed. As the formation was almost under the cloud cover, a 360° turn was made. Let down through the cloud cover followed. The return to base was made without incident.
   7.  Fighter Support – Fighter support is reported as having appeared as briefed and as having been very good.
   8.  Comments – No aircraft were lost on the Mission of 31 July, 1944.
        Flak at the target was moderate and inaccurate, being widely scattered over the area. There was moderate and fairly accurate flak over Kaiserslautern, and flak was also observed at Antwerp, Brussels, Karlsruhe, Ludwigshaven, Speyer, Mannheim, and Saarbrucken.
        No enemy aircraft were seen.
        Eight to ten-tenths cloud cover was encountered along most of the route.
        Upon the failure of the lead aircraft, 42-97701, to take off, the combat wing air commander transferred to Aircraft 42-102951, the deputy lead ship. The rest of the crew of the scheduled lead ship flew in Aircraft 42-97955, after taking the co-pilot from the scheduled deputy lead aircraft.
      
   9.  Aircraft Not Attacking – Lead Box: Aircraft 44-6082, pilot Lt Boyd, returned from the assembly area because of internal failure of the #3 engine. Flying spare replaced this abortive.
        High and Low Boxes: The flying spares returned as planned.
      
   10.  PFF Aircraft – Two PFF aircraft were scheduled to be used by this group. One failed to take off and was replaced by the aircraft scheduled as deputy lead. The deputy lead aircraft was replaced by another ship without PFF equipment.
       PFF Aircraft 42-97600 and 42-97649 flew with the 457th Group.
       PFF Aircraft 42-97636 and 42-97965 flew with the 401st Group. These four aircraft attacked the target.

1. Munich, Germany was bombed in Wing Formation by PFF method.
2. This group furnished the High, Low, and Lead box for the 94th "A" Wing.
3. Due to a malfunction of the PFF equipment, the lead A/C in the lead box dropped on the smoke bomb of the preceding wing.
4. Target area was covered by 10/10 cloud.
5. Clouds prevented visual bombing, being 10/10ths over the target area.
6. A normal turn was made at the I.P.
7. "Bombs Away" took place at 1303 hours on a magnetic heading of 161°.

Bombardier - 2nd Lt. Steitz, Warren C.  Pilot - 1st Lt. White, John R. Navigator - 2nd Lt. Gulnac, J.R. & Lt. Hoeldfke, D.J.
Aircraft B-17G   P-955  Take-off - 0935 Landed - 1705
Objective - Munich, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - P.F.F.
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Wing
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 12   Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: 0
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: None   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____    Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 500 Lb. An-M43 G.P.[General Purpose] and Smoke Bomb
Number of Bombs Loaded - 9 x 500 Lb. & 1 Marker   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - P.F.F. On
Information at Release Point: Dropped on Preceding Wing's PFF A/C

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - 10/10 Clouds
Mean Temp. Metro -4.4 Actual -4.4
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 280°  Actual 300°  Velocity - Metro 40  Actual 32
Temp C. - Metro -28° C. Actual -31° C.

1. The target for the three boxes of this group was the industrial area of Munich, Germany. Photo cover was incomplete for the lead and high boxes due to 10/10 clouds. The photos for the low box show ground detail at bombs away but no bursts are seen because of clouds and haze.
2. Bombs away for the low box can be plotted approximately three and a half miles NW of the B.M.W. plant at Allach. Using information of the Lead Bombardier it is estimated that the bombs will fall approximately 1¼ miles WNW of the plant at Allach. Actual range of bombs - 14643 feet; true course 172 degrees.

1. No leaflets were carried by this Group.
2. Bombing results were unobserved. Pictures show bombs falling three and three-quarter miles from Allach on a track of 165.
3. No enemy A/C [Aircraft] were observed. There are no claims [of enemy aircraft destroyed].
4. Flak at the target was moderate and inaccurate, being widely scattered over the area. There was moderate fairly accurate flak over Kaiserslautern, and flak was also observed at Antwerp, Brussels, Karlsruhe, Ludwigshaven, Speyer, Mannheim, and Saarbrucken.
5. Weather was 8/10 in the target area. Weather did not interfere with the formation.
6. Just East of Ellwangen at 4857N-1011E, an Airfield with a single strip, four hangars, and several smaller buildings appeared to be non operational. A B-17 was seen to turn back to the enemy coast from mid-channel; it was losing altitude at the time of observation and was too far away for markings to be seen.
7. PFF units were employed. Fighter support was seen as briefed and was reported to have been very good. This group suffered no losses.

1. Target: Assigned - Allach, Germany Bombed - Allach, Germany [Suburb of Munich]
2. Route as Flown. - As briefed
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - 8/10 cloud  B. En route - 10/10 cloud
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - unseen (b) Enroute - unseen
 Any Condensation Trails? - Dense persistent above 25,000 feet.
5. Description of Flak, including type of Fire Control: Moderate and inaccurate; probably a barrage, although continuous following may have been used during the short time that visual sighting was possible due to a break in the clouds.
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 Antwerp, 1130, 20,000 - Observed.
 Brussels, 1142, 20,000 - Observed.
 Karlsruhe, 1237, 20,000 - Moderate, observed.
 Ludwigshaven, 1402, 21,000 - Meager, observed.
 Speyer, 1403, 21,000 - Meager, height good, deflection poor.
 Mannheim, 1402, 21,000 - Moderate, height good, deflection poor.
 Keiserslautern, 1410, 20,000 - moderate, height and deflection fair.
 Saarbrucken, 1425, 20,000 - moderate, observed.
7. Was Chaff carried? - Yes How discharged? As briefed.
8. Position of Group - Lead, Low, High - 94th "A" CBW [Combat Bomb Wing]
9.

    508th Squadron
A/C 920-L We should have 18 ship formations when we go into Germany. - All Officers.
A/C 192-R Rough Lead! - Lt. Poston.

    509th Squadron
A/C 576-C For greater efficiency in the Waist with a 9 men crew there should be at least two feet of additional hose attached to the oxygen mask. - T/Sgt. Hoffman.
Throat mike should be much longer or have one Jack Box between the two guns to avoid constant changing at the Jack Box when working two guns. - T/Sgt. Hoffman.
Rubber grommets should be installed on each Waist Gun to prevent cutting deep grooves in the windows. A small tool kit should be kept in the ship for an emergency and clamps available just in case control cables are shot away. - T/Sgt. Hoffman.
Trucks still keep us waiting for over an hour after landing - Lt. Trombley.
A/C 169-N Very good escort. - All Officers
A/C 108-Y Defective flares from lead ship caused difficulty in forming. - Lt. Tompkins
A/C 862-G This was a very good mission in every respect. - Lt. Whitaker.
A/C 156-R High squadron formation was very poor - we were completely crowded out. - Lt. Guthery and Lt. Seidell.

    511th Squadron
A/C 492-B P-51's should not come in at the formation head-on. - All gunners.
a/C 515-L Group Leaders should check C-1 trim to prevent wandering. - Lt. Strange.

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31711, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned. (Reason: Flying Spare)
   2. Airplane No. 42-31509, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned. (Reason: Flying Spare)
   3. Airplane No. 44-6082, returned early because of internal failure of #4 engine. (Reason: Mechanical Failure)
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31702, 508th Squadron. Flak skin damage top of left wing inner panel practically at fairing. Flak hole leading edge left wing between #1 and #2 nacelles, damaging vacuum line.
   2. Airplane No. 42-97349, 508th Squadron. Flak hole through right wing tip, skin damage only.
   3. Airplane No. 42-31384, 509th Squadron. One flak hole bottom of left stabilizer. One flak hole left bomb bay door. Two small flak holes through right wing. One flak hole leading edge left wing tip.
   4. Airplane No. 44-6108, 509th Squadron. Flak hole through rudder. Two flak holes under side of right elevator. Two flak holes left wing, damaging #4 fuel tank. Flak hole right side vertical stabilizer. Flak damage to #2 nacelle, damaging #3 cylinder.
   5. Airplane No. 42-102576, 510th Squadron. Flak hole through fuselage, between wing and waist window. One flak hole left side of dorsal fin. Two flak holes left side of fuselage damaging longerons, skin, elevator controls and wiring. Flak hole underside #2 nacelle, damaging skin and bulkhead. Four flak holes underside left wing damaging skin, corrugation, tokio [sic] tank, one hole clear through. Two flak skin holes left elevator
   6. Airplane No. 42-97492, 511th Squadron. Two flak holes underside left wing, skin and corrugation damaged.
   7. Airplane No. 43-37524, 511th Squadron. Two flak holes underside right wing, skin and corrugation damage.
   8. Airplane No. 42-107216, 511th Squadron. Flak skin hole leading edge of right wing, outboard panel.
   9. Airplane No. 43-37533, 511th Squadron. Small flak hole entered trailing edge of right elevator and emerged through leading edge of stabilizer.
   10. Airplane No. 43-37571, 511th Squadron. Flak hole bottom of left outboard wing panel, skin damage only.
   
   

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK
   10		10		10

1. The following malfunction was reported on the Mission of 31 July, 1944.
   1. A/C 42-38038 - The ball turret motor burned out.

Aircraft No. 6082 Squadron - 511 Pilot - Boyd - Lawsen
Time of Abortive - 0950  Location when Aborted - Kingscliffe
Reason For Abortive - Engine Failure #4.
Disposition of Bombs: Returned
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 9,500
Enemy Opposition Encountered - ____
Remarks:
[Signed] William M Boyd Jr, 2nd Lt. A.C. [Air Corps]



Aircraft No.31509 (510) Squadron - 509  Pilot - Secrest
Time of Abortive - ____ Location when Aborted - ____
Reason For Abortive - ____
Disposition of Bombs: ____
Altitude At Time of Aborting: ____
Enemy Opposition Encountered - ____
Remarks: Flying Spare Returned as Briefed
[Signed] Wendell Secrest



Aircraft No. 31711 Squadron - 508  Pilot - Muffett
Time of Abortive - 1102  Location when Aborted - 51°48'-03°00' [39.5 miles West of Ouddorp, Netherlands]
Reason For Abortive - F/S [Flying Spare] Returned as briefed
Disposition of Bombs: Brought Back
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 16,000
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: F/S [Flying Spare]
[Signed] Winfield F. Muffett

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

   a. 94th "A" Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: B–7701 [PFF]
   Sqdn 510th A/C: L–7515, R–8038, B–6082, (S–7512 Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: D–7524, X–7571, Z–7046, A–1238*, G–7533, Y–7216, B–7492, C–7951 [PFF]
   P.F.F. Sqdn ___ A/C: ____

   
   

   b. 94th "A" Combat Wing   High Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: Z–7696, O–7595, Y–6108, N–7169*, L–7676, R–6156, T–1384, V–7854
   Sqdn 510th A/C: D–7957, C–2576, K–7252, G–7862, (V–1509 Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

   
   

   b. 94th "A" Combat Wing   Low Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: Q–1879, M–7900, B–7349, G–7850, N–7727, L–7920*, A–1702, H–8004, K–7557, J–2971, R–1192, P–7258, (F–1711 Spare)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

   
   [* - Delayed Action Bombs]
2. Target: GY-4662
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T ULX R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T MSP R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T LHO R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T SCF R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. High Box: Taxi – 0825; Take-Off – 0840; E.T.D. Field – At Take Off
   b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1042	15,000 Ft	Clacton

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1115	20,000 Ft	51°48'N-04°00'E [Stellendam, Netherlands]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1559	20,000 Ft	51°48'N-04°00'E [Stellendam, Netherlands]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1637	5,000 Ft	Clacton

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1708 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "H"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: Lead Box
    508 Squadron: None
    509 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    510 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    511 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] ([Aircraft] A-1238 Delay Action 2 - 1 Hr., 4 - 6 Hr., 2 - 12 Hr., 2 - 24 Hr.)
    
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: High Box
    508 Squadron: None
    509 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    510 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] ([Aircraft] N-7169 Delay Action 2 - 1 Hr., 4 - 6 Hr., 2 - 12 Hr., 2 - 24 Hr.)
    511 Squadron: None
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: Low Box
    508 Squadron: 10 x 500 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] ([Aircraft] N-7920 Delay Action 2 - 1 Hr., 4 - 6 Hr., 2 - 12 Hr., 2 - 24 Hr.)
    509 Squadron: None
    510 Squadron: None
    511 Squadron: None
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2700 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: J.B. Carraway Rank: Major A/C: B-7701  Sqdn. 509
    b. High Box: Name: Richard Garcia Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: D-7957 Sqdn. 510
    c. Low Box: Name: K.W. Davey Rank: Capt A/C: Q-1879 Sqdn. 508
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    Williams, R.P. Colonel D-7957 509th Sqdn.
15. PFF A/C: Y-7600 - 508th, J-7649 - 511th, Flying with 457th Group.
    PFF A/C: L-7636 - 511th, Z-7965 - 508th, Flying with 401th Group.
    

Report Compiled By I.C. Muesing, S/Sgt.