351st Bomb Group

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

   Lead Box
   Stations   –	0905
   Start Engines –	0915
   Taxi    –	0925
   Take Off   –	0940
   Last Take Off –	____

   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: Hamburg [Germany] - Ordnance Depot
   Secondary: PFF - Hamburg - Fuel Plant
   Last Resort: Nordholz - Air Field
   
   
4. Loading:
   351 “A”: 6 x 500# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] plus 6 x 500# M-17 IB [Incendiary Bomb] All A/C [Aircraft]
   351 “B”:
   Composite:
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - None
   Chaff: Commence release at 2 min. before IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] and continue for 12 min. each A/C carry 576 units. Rate of discharge will be 8 units every 10 sec.
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading: 2500 gallons
   Remarks: ____
   
   
6. Wing Formation:

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

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	40 "A"	Wenzendorf Air/Arm	1109 Orfordness
   2nd	40 "B"	Wenzendorf Air/Arm	1111
   3rd	40 "C"	Wenzendorf Air/Arm	1113
   4th	1 "A"	Wenzendorf Air/Arm	1115
   5th	1 "B"	Hamburg Ord	1117
   6th	1 "C"	Hamburg Ord	1119
   7th	94 "A"	Hamburg Ord	1121
   8th	94 "B"	Hamburg Ord	1123
   9th	94 "C"	Hamburg Ord	1125
   2nd Division	144 A/C	Neumunster A/F	1146 Orfordness
   3rd Division	12 Groups	Hamburg	1100 Southwold
   "G-H" Mission	10 Sqdns.- 41 CBW plus 12 Sqdns.- 2nd Div.	Gelsenkirchen

   
   Remarks: ____
    Base Reference Altitude - 23,000 Ft.
    Interval between Groups - 2 min.
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]	[Type]
     67th Ftr. Wing P-51's	5355-0800	Balance 3-1	Close
     67th Ftr. Wing P-51's	5355-0800	Balance 3-2	Close
     67th Ftr. Wing P-51's	5355-0800	Balance 3-3	Close
     67th Ftr. Wing P-51's	5355-0800	Balance 3-4	Close

     
     
9. Group Assembly:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   Lead	9,000'	Kings Cliffe
   High	8,000'	Kings Cliffe
   Low	10,000'	Kings Cliffe

   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - _____
    
13. Special Instructions to Gunners, Bombardiers, and Radio Operators:
     A. Type of Bombing Formation - ____
     Bomb[adier] and Nav[igator] of #3 A/C in each Squadron will report to the Photo Lab.  They are - Lead: Slater & Edelman; High: Hitt & Houser; Low: Schneider & Kuntz.
     Group Leader will have to decide whether their target is visual or not before reaching 5306N-0912E. Decision will be reached by contacting Weather  Scouting Force: "Buckeye Blue" VHF "B".
     If primary is overcast 5304N-0932E will be used as a PFF IP for run on Hamburg Fuel Installation.
     Intervalometer settings - Visual & PFF - 140 ft.
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing –	Clear
    Visual Bombing –	Clear
    Authenticator –	Some Stuff
    Recall –	Charlie How Zebra
    Weather Code –	TIBAV
    Release "CHAFF" –	Clear

    
    (B) Call Signs:

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

    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Balance 3
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers	Vinegrove 3-9
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    

    Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
    C.P. 1 - Orfordness		I - Bremen
    C.P. 2 - 5355-0800		R - Luneburt
    _____		K - Hamburg
    _____		S - Neumunster
    _____		O - Zwolle
    _____		M - Gelsenkirchen
    _____		E - Munster

    
    Remarks: ____
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0100 – 0700	__	_	_
    0700 – 1300	GY	L	G
    1300 – 1900	RR	J	C

    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All A/C except following:
    2. - K-585, G-862, M-900
    3. - P-676 - U-381 - 67th Fighter = Bomber
    4. - Available on all A/C except B-701, Z-687
    
    
16. Let-Down on Normal, if overcast.
    351st A   Kings Cliffe 030° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    401st A   Cottesmore 010° Mag.
    457th A   Glatton Buncher 050° Mag.
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
    
    
18. Special Instructions:
     Camera A/C to return at 3° E. - N-169, S-512, 0-277.
     Spares Turn Back at 03°00'East.
     Briefed Bombing altitudes will be adhered to.

1. Date of Mission - 25 October, 1944.
   1. Target Attacked – Hamburg, Germany by PFF methods.
   2. Force – 94th “C” CBW – Thirty-eight aircraft including two flying spares and three PFF ships, took off.
   3. Position – Briefed and flew as ninth group in the Division Formation.
   4. Lead Teams

      	Group Lead
      	Air Commander:	Major F.A. Richardson
      	Pilot:	1st Lt. Charles R. Woodrum
      	Navigator:	2nd Lt. William P. Cosgrove
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Charles F. Henry

      
      

      	High Squadron
      	Leader:	Major John D. Gorham, Jr.
      	Pilot:	1st Lt. Francis W. Gray
      	Navigator:	1st Lt. Robert S. Hammaker
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. John Androkitis

      
      

      	Low Squadron
      	Leader:	Captain Norman A. Trapp
      	Pilot:	1st Lt. Joseph S. Angelini
      	Navigator:	2nd Lt Stanley J. Goodman
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Robert E. McFarlane

2. Narrative.
   1.  Squadron and Group Assembly - Carried out as planned at the Kings Cliffe buncher at the briefed altitude of 9,000 feet.
   2.  Route Over England – Departure from the assembly area was made at 1044 - two minutes early. As following the briefed route would have put the 94th "C" Group ahead of the 94th "A" and "B" Groups, a route to the south of the briefed course was flown. The briefed route was contacted shortly before the departure point from the English coast, Orfordness, was reached.
   3.  Division Assembly Line – Departure from the English coast was made at 1124 - one minute late - at 10,000 feet, the briefed altitude. The briefed route was followed with only slight divergenies [sic] while flying over the channel and the North Sea. The 94th "C" Group flew in its briefed position of ninth in the Division formation.
   4.  Flight to Target – Divergencies from the briefed course, when made, were made in order to stay in the proper position behind the preceding formations. As the turn into the target was made short of the briefed route, a point corresponding to the briefed IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was reached at 1336 - six minutes early for that point and fifteen minutes before the planned time at the briefed IP.
   5.  Description of Bombing Run – The Primary target, Hamburg, Germany, was attacked by PFF methods. The Lead and High Squadrons made their own sighting operations, and the Low Squadron dropped on the smoke markers of the Lead Squadron. The briefed IP was not used, the formation having turned into the target before it was reached. No interference was encountered on the bomb run. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was used and performed satisfactorily.
   6.  Flight From Target – After attacking the target, the 94th "C" Group made a sharp left turn and followed the preceding formations on the withdrawal. The route followed was inside of the briefed course. The briefed route was contacted at 54°00'N - 08°35'E at an altitude of 26,000 feet. The English coast was crossed at Cromer, the briefed point at 9,000 feet. The formation was at that time twenty-seven minutes ahead of the briefed time. A normal let-down procedure was followed. Return to base was made without incident.
   7.  Fighter Support – As briefed.
   8.  Comments – No aircraft were lost. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Flak at the target was intense, but not accurate. The Scouting Force furnished accurate and helpful information as to weather conditions in the target area. Ten-tenths clouds prevailed in the target area with tops at 6,000 feet. Visibility was good at altitude and did not hamper formation bombing.
   9.  Aircraft Not Attacking – Aircraft 42-97258, pilot Lt Wishnewsky, (Low Squadron) returned to base and was replaced by the flying spare of High Squadron. The flying spare of the Lead Squadron returned as planned.

1. Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)?  PFF
2. Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation? Lead Squadron made own PFF sighting operation. The Low Squadron dropped on the smoke marker of the Lead Squadron.
3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? No
4. Cloud coverage and visibility. 10/10 Cloud Cover.
5. If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? PFF
6. Any Interference on Bomb Run? None
7. Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? Yes
8. Any other factors affecting accuracy? None

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Henry, Charles F.
Pilot - Major Richardson, Franklin A. & Lt. Woodrum
Navigator - 2nd Lt. Cosgrove, William P.

Aircraft B-17G   B-701  Take-off - 0940 Landed - 1626
Objective - Hamburg, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - Center of town (PFF)
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Squadron
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 A/C   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - __   Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 6 x 500 lb. G.P.[General Purpose] & 6 x M-17's & 1 Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - (1/10 G.P's) (Instantaneous I.B.'s)   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - On PFF

Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train 140'
Point of Impact If Seen - 10/10 Cloud Cover
Mean Temp. Metro -12 Actual -12
Winds - Altitude - 27,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 110°  Actual 115°  Velocity - Metro 20  Actual 28
Temp C. - Metro -29° C. Actual -33° C.

1. Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)?  PFF
2. Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation? High Squadron made own sighting operation.
3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes
4. Cloud coverage and visibility. 10/10 Cloud Cover.
5. If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? PFF
6. Any Interference on Bomb Run? None
7. Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? Yes
8. Any other factors affecting accuracy? None

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Androkitis, John
Pilot - Major Gorham, John D., Jr.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Hammaker, Robert S.

Aircraft B-17G   Y-651  Take-off - 0935 Landed - 1621
Objective - Hamburg, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - Center of town (PFF)
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Squadron
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 11   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 - 5 x 500 lb. G.P.[General Purpose] & 6 x M-17's & 1 Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - (1/10 G.P's) (Instantaneous I.B.'s)   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - PFF Fast

Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train 140'
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -13 Actual -13
Winds - Altitude - 26,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 110°  Actual 110°  Velocity - Metro 20  Actual 56
Temp C. - Metro -32° C. Actual -36° C.

1. No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
2. This Group bombed the Secondary Target, the Rhenania-Ossag oil refinery at Hamburg, by PFF methods. 10/10 clouds at the target prevented visual observation of bomb strikes, and the photographs show no bomb bursts. All PFF equipment operated well, and Mickey [Radar] Operators believe that there should be good results. Heavy black smoke was seen on photographs and was reported by crews as being in the target area.
3. No enemy aircraft were encountered and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
4. Flak at the target was intense but not accurate for this Group; some was fairly accurate for altitude, but most of it was low. Meager flak was encountered or observed at Wangeroog Island, Nordholz, Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttekoog, and Heligoland.
5. 10/10 clouds prevailed in the target area with top at 6,000 feet, but visibility at altitude was good and did not hamper good formation bombing.
6. One crew reports a con trail [sic] or vapor trail coming up at 53 28 N, 08 57 E, and climbing at an angle of about 50 degrees on up to 30,000 feet where it disappeared, The object leaving the trail could not be identified.
7. The Lead and Low Squadrons bombed on the PFF A/C of the Lead Squadron, and the High Squadron bombed on its own PFF A/C. All PFF equipment worked well. The Scouting Force furnished accurate and helpful information as to weather conditions in the target area. Fighter support was as briefed. None of our aircraft is missing.

    508th Squadron:
A/C 753 Last night I was put on the liberty run to pick up girls and take them back to Peterborough; someone who is not scheduled
    to fly the next day should do this. - F/O Wuistenhoefer.
    If we would change altitude between I.P. and target, it might help to confuse computations of flak gunners; as it is, they are
    always able to compute out altitude accurately before chaff is discharged. - F/O Wuistenhoefer.
A/C 956-L Very good lead today. - Lt. Weise.
A/C 978-J Very good lead and formation. - Lt. Van Sandt.
A/C 711-F Put a compass in this ship. The one in it does not work. - Lt. Linford.
A/C 277-O We should carry chaff to throw out at small flak installations too. - Lt. Parnell.

    510th Squadron:
A/C 515-L The fluxgate compass in this A/C does not work; this was reported after last mission, but nothing was done about it. -
    F/O McIntosh.
    P-51's, about six of them, lined up in formation off our tail too far away to be identified, and peeled off exactly like enemy
    fighters. If that was supposed to be a joke, it wasn't funny. - Lt. Williams.

    511th Squadron:
A/C 585-K Staggered altitude confuses flak gunners. - Lt. Hadley.
A/C 428-A Staggered formation is very good. - Lt. McNamara.

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-97258, 508th Squadron, returned early because #3 exhaust stack broke off.
   2. Airplane No. 43-37696, 509th Squadron, returned early as planned.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. None
   
   

Aircraft No. 97258 Squadron - 508th  Pilot - Lt. Wishnewsky
Time of Abortive - 1035  Location when Aborted - K.K. Buncher Beacon
Reason For Abortive - #1 Engine #3 Exhaust stack broken off at cylinder.
Disposition of Bombs: Brought Back
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 7,000
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: None
[Signed] P. Wishnewsky, 1st Lt. A.C.


Aircraft No. 37696 Squadron - 509th  Pilot - Lt. Whitaker
Time of Abortive -   Location when Aborted -
Reason For Abortive -
Disposition of Bombs:
Altitude At Time of Aborting: ____
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: F/S [Flying Spare]
[Signed] [No Signature]

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

   a. 94th "C" Combat Group   Lead Squadron
   Sqdn 508th A/C:
   Sqdn 509th A/C: (B–7701 PFF), N–7169, (Z–7696 Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C:
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (Z–7687 PFF), M–8650, A–8428, H–8435, N–8592, P–2676,U–7381, K–8585, C–8694, G–8070

   
   

   b. 94th "C" Combat Group   High Squadron
   Sqdn 508th A/C:
   Sqdn 509th A/C:
   Sqdn 510th A/C: (Y–7651 PFF), D–7957, B–6082, N–7665, H–8280, C–2576, T–8461, L–7515, A–8465, S–7512, U–7216, G–7862, (F–7124 Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C:

   
   

   c. 94th"C" Combat Group   Low Squadron
   Sqdn 508th A/C: D–8405, H–8666, M–7900, C–8753, F–1711, K–8130, J–7978, G–8567 , P–7258, Q–8799, O–8277, L–7956
   Sqdn 509th A/C:
   Sqdn 510th A/C:
   Sqdn 511th A/C:

2. Target: GL-2639
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T JUV R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T TQX R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T WVR R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T LKB R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0925; Take-Off – 0940; E.T.D. Field – 0940
   b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1123	10,000 Ft	Orfordness

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1321	27,000 Ft	53°46'N-08°32'E [9 miles SW of Cuxhaven, Germany]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1421	25,000 Ft	54°10'N-08°48'E [Westerdeichstrich, Germany]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1600	5,000 Ft	Cromer

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1625 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "G"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C:
    Lead Squadron: 13 [Planes] - 6 x 500# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] and 6 - M-17 IB [Incendiary Bomb]
    High Squadron: 13 [Planes] - 6 x 500# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] and 6 - M-17 IB [Incendiary Bomb]
    Low Squadron: 12 [Planes] - 6 x 500# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] and 6 - M-17 IB [Incendiary Bomb]
    ___ Squadron:
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2500 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Sqdn.: Name: F.A. Richardson Rank: Major A/C: B-7701  Sqdn. 509th
    b. High Sqdn.: Name: Gorham Rank: Major A/C: Y-7651 Sqdn. 510th
    c. Low Sqdn.: Name: Trapp Rank: Capt. A/C: D-8405 Sqdn. 508th
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None

Report Compiled By Leo A. Curley, T/Sgt.