351st Bomb Group

1. Date of Mission - 28 October, 1944.
   1. Target:  Munster, Germany (Primary)
   2. Force: Thirty-eight aircraft, including three PFF units and two flying spares, were dispatched.
   3. Position: Briefed and flew as the 94th "A" Group, third in the Division formation.
   4. Lead Teams

      	Group Lead
      	Air Commander:	Major John B. Carraway.
      	Pilot:	Captain Charles E. Wolcott
      	Navigator:	1st Lt. Joseph A. Glover
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Wayne R. Smith

      
      

      	High Squadron
      	Group Leader:	1st Lt. Joseph S. Angelini
      	Pilot:	1st Lt. Richard B, Moulton
      	Navigator:	1st Lt. Stanley H. Sichel
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Robert E. McFarlane

      
      

      	Low Squadron
      	Group Leader:	Major John D. Gorham, Jr.
      	Pilot:	1st Lt. James M. Purcell
      	Navigator:	1st Lt. Robert S. Hammaker
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. John Androkitis

2. Narrative.
   1.  Squadron and Group Assembly: As briefed, over the Kings Cliffe buncher at 11,000 feet.
   2.  Route Over England: The assembly area was departed on time and on course, but because of bad weather which was encountered, and in order to make good the briefed times, the turns at Points A and D were cut short. Control Point 1, Cromer, was reached two minutes early (1244) at the briefed altitude of 15,000 feet.
   3.  Division Assembly Line: The 94th "A" Group was in its proper position (third) on the Division Assembly Line. A deviation to the north of course was flown in order to maintain the proper position in the Division, but at 53°06'N - 02°42'E, a course correction was made which brought the 94th "A" Formation back to the briefed route before the enemy coast was crossed. Control Point 2 was reached on course at the briefed altitude of 23,000 feet, but unbriefed winds had caused the formation to arrive at this point nine minutes late (1331).
   4.  Flight to Target: The briefed course in to the target was strictly adhered to; altitudes were made good; but unbriefed winds caused the formation to fall behind schedule. The IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was reached at 1419, seventeen minutes late.
   5.  Description of Bombing Run: The briefed IP was used, and the bomb run is described as having been very good. The Lead and High Squadrons each made their own PFF sighting operations, with the Lead using visual assistance. No interference was reported on the run. In the Lead Squadron, the C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] functioned satisfactorily. The High Squadron made a manual run. Heavy contrails and a deep haze over the target area were reported. The Low Squadron released on the Lead Squadron, and bombs were away at 1431½, sixteen and one-half minutes late.
   6.  Flight From Target: Because of bad weather, an arbitrary route was chosen on the withdrawal. The enemy coast was crossed at the briefed point at 23,000 feet, fifteen minutes behind schedule (1511). Crossing the North Sea, continued bad weather was encountered, and it was necessary to weave off course to miss the worst of it. The English coast was crossed five miles north of course at 11,000 feet at 1550. Letdown and return to base were made without incident.
   7.  Fighter Support: As briefed.
   8.  Comments: No aircraft were lost; no enemy aircraft were encountered. Flak at the target was of the continuous following type, moderate, and very accurate for both height and deflection. Weather information from the Scouting Force was helpful.
   9.  Aircraft Not Attacking: The two flying spares returned as briefed. The remaining thirty-six aircraft attacked the primary target.

1. Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)?  PFF - with Visual Assist.
2. Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation?  The Lead Squadron made own sighting operation. The Low Squadron dropped on the Lead Sqdn. on a Mag. Heading of 119° @ 1431½ hrs.
3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes
4. Cloud coverage and visibility. 8/10 to 10/10 cloud.
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? Heavy Contrails and deep haze over target area.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Smith, Wayne R.
Pilot - 1st Lt. Wolcott, C.E.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Glover, J.A.

Aircraft B-17G   L-045  Take-off - 1050 Landed - 1628
Objective - M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard] at Munster, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - M/Y (PFF with Visual Assist)
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Group - 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 - 14 x 250# G.P.[General Purpose]; 4 x M-17 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bomb] & 1 Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - On

Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - 40 Feet
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -10 Actual -__
Winds - Altitude - 20,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 170°  Actual 170°  Velocity - Metro 33K  Actual 60
Temp C. - Metro -30° C. Actual -__° 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?  The High Squadron made their own PFF sighting operation.
3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes.
4. Cloud coverage and visibility. 9/10 cloud and heavy contrails.
5. If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? PFF.
6. Any Interference on Bomb Run? Contrails.
7. Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? Not Used.
8. Any other factors affecting accuracy? None.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. McFarlane, Robert E.
Pilot - 1st Lt. Angelini Joseph
Navigator - 1st Lt. Sichel, Stanley

Aircraft B-17G   Z-687  Take-off - 1055 Landed - 1630
Objective - M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard] at Munster, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - 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 - 14 x 250# G.P.[General Purpose]; 4 x M-17 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bomb] & 1 Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - PFF Slow

Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - 40 Feet
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -10 Actual -__
Winds - Altitude - 20,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 170°  Actual 170°  Velocity - Metro 33K  Actual 30K
Temp C. - Metro -30° C. Actual -30° C.

1. The three squadrons from this Group attacked the M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard] at Munster, Germany. The target was obscured by ground haze and 6-8/10ths cloud coverage. No bursts can be seen in the photographs.
2. Bombs away can be seen and the smoke markers indicate that the main concentration of bombs fell slightly to the NE of the briefed MPI [Mean Point of Impact]. This section includes the main railroad station of the city as well as the heavily built-up industrial section. Damage should be heavy.

1. No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
2. Bombing of the M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard] at Munster was done through 6-8/10ths clouds with unobserved results. The lead and low squadrons bombed by PFF instruments with visual assistance, and the high squadron bombed entirely by PFF means. Photographs show no bursts because of cloud over target; however, smoke markers indicate that the bombs fell slightly north and over the briefed MPI [Mean Point of Impact], in the vicinity of the main passenger station of Munster. Considerable damage should result in the center of the built-up area of Munster. There was a great deal of ground haze in the target area, which made visual sighting not feasible. Some fire was observed from the bombing.
3. There was no enemy aircraft opposition and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
4. Flak at the target was moderate and very accurate for both height and deflection; continuous following fire control was definitely used. There was meager accurate flak, apparently fired from barges, in the Dortmund-Ems Canal just north of Munster, and there was also meager accurate flak in the vicinity of Zwolle. Meager inaccurate flak was encountered over the north tip of Texel Island, at Hengelo, and at Enkhuizen.
5. 5-6/10ths clouds prevailed in the target area, and there was considerable low haze which prevented visual sighting. There were clouds at altitude which made good formation flying difficult.
6. There are no observations of military consequence.
7. PFF [Pathfinder Force] units were employed as explained in paragraph 2 above. Scouting Force furnished accurate information concerning weather at the target. Fighter support was as briefed. Our A/C Y-651 landed at Wittering A/F [Air Field] with its hydraulic system out. None of our A/C is missing.

    508th Squadron:
A/C G-567: Wouldn't it be a better idea to go over the coast at different altitudes than the altitude at which we bomb? -
    Lts. Buttel, Killian, Futcher.
A/C K-130: Would like more cookies. - Lt. Kevorkian.
A/C L-956: Meteorological forecasts here are very poor. - Lt. Weise.

    509th Squadron:
A/C Q-116: Assembly could have been better planned. We kept getting mixed up with Glatton and Deenethorpe. - Lt. Daugherty.
A/C L-045: Should have been briefed to attain a higher bombing altitude. Would have been able to go above it. - Lt. Glover.
A/C L-676: EM [Enlisted Men] breakfast before missions is very poor - ground crews in same mess get better food. - Lt. Walker.
A/C V-854: Not enough rations to take care of extra crew member. - Lt Walker.
A/C Z-696: Altitude too low. - Lt. Walker. We had information advising us to go over cloud formation; instead we started down
    through it and then had to climb again. - Lt. Hibbard.
A/C F-566: Fighter escort comes it too close. - Lt. Goldsborough.

    510th Squadron:
A/C C-576: Weather forecast was very inaccurate; there was intense haze over the target. - Lt. Hitt.
A/C C-694: All planes should be equipped with windshield wipers; our ship has one and it works very well. Top turret has no
    stirrups. Our top turret gunner is short and couldn't see out. This ship and all spare ships should have stirrups. -
    Lt. Lubozynski.

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 43-38277, 508th Squadron returned early as planned.
   2. Airplane No. 43-37964, 509th Squadron returned early as planned.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 43-38799, 508th Squadron. Flak hole underside of left wing inner panel, skin, corrugation and main tank were damaged. Flak hole underside #1 nacelle, skin and mixture control damaged. (Major)
   2. Airplane No. 43-38567, 508th Squadron. Flak hole on underside of left outer wing panel causing skin damage. (Minor)
   3. Airplane No. 42-102955, 510th Squadron. Flak skin hole through trailing edge of right outer wing panel. Flak hole on underside of right outer wing panel damaging skin, corrugation and tokio tank. Flak hole on underside of left outer wing panel damaging skin, corrugation and tokio tank. Flak skin hole on underside of nose compartment. Flak skin holes in top of #1 and #2 nacelles. (Major)
   4. Airplane No. 43-38080, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through trailing edge of left inner wing panel causing skin, corrugation and former damage. (Minor)
   5. Airplane No. 43-38428, 511th Squadron. Two flak holes through left wing tip damaging skin and corrugation. Flak hole through fuselage at right of ball turret damaging skin, corrugation, ammunition box, trim tab cable and stringer. Flak hole through left elevator damaging fabric. (Minor)
   6. Airplane No. 43-37854, 509th Squadron. Eight flak holes on underside left wing damaging skin, corrugation, and flap. Three flak holes on underside of right inner wing panel damaging skin, corrugation and #4 main tank. Four flak holes through LH stabilizer and elevator damaging skin, corrugation and elevator, necessitating elevator change. (Major)
   7. Airplane No. 43-38640, 509th Squadron. Five flak holes on underside of nose compartment damaging skin, corrugation, oxygen system and chin turret. Three flak holes through RH Stabilizer and elevator damaging fabric. Two flak holes through LH stabilizer damaging skin and corrugation. Two flak skin holes on underside of left outer wing panel. Five flak holes on underside of right outer wing panel damaging skin and corrugation. Flak skin holes on right side of nose compartment. Three flak skin holes on right side of fuselage aft of waist window. Flak skin hole through rudder. Flak hole through tail gunner's left bullet proof window. (Major)
   8. Airplane No. 43-38591, 509th Squadron. Eight flak holes on underside of right outer wing panel, two coming out top of wing, damaging skin, corrugation, tokio tanks, and diagonal spar. Four flak holes on underside of right inner wing panel, one coming out top of wing, damaging skin, corrugation and #4 main tank. Three flak skin holes underside of left inner wing panel. Two flak holes on underside of left outer wing panel damaging skin, corrugation and tokio tank. Flak skin hole through rudder. Two flak holes through RH stabilizer and rudder damaging skin and corrugation. Two flak skin holes on right side of nose compartment. Flak hole in plexiglass nose. Flak skin hole in #4 nacelle. Flak skin hole in top of #2 nacelle. (Major)
   9. Airplane No. 44-6566, 509th Squadron. Four flak holes through dorsal fin and rudder damaging skin and corrugation. Three flak skin holes in right side of nose compartment. Chin turret damaged by flak. Flak underside left wing inner panel, skin corrugation, compression members and #1 main tank damaged. Flak hole underside #1 nacelle skin and former damaged. #4 Engine hit in sump, engine lost oil and burned, nacelle damaged by fire and #4 induction system badly damaged by flak. #7 cylinder of #3 engine damaged by flak. (Major)
   10. Airplane No. 43-37595, 509th Squadron. Left aileron completely shot away by flak. All tokio tanks in left wing damaged by flak. Large flak hole through left trailing edge of wing, skin, formers and compression members damaged. Left side of radio room peppered by flak, radio equipment and ball turret junction box damaged and caught fire. Numerous holes through base of dorsal fin, skin and control cables damaged. Flak hole through left wing inner panel, skin, corrugation, spar and main tank damaged. Flak hole through right wing outer panel, skin and corrugation and two tokio tanks damaged. Flak hole through right wing inner panel, skin and #4 tank damaged. Flak hole under right stabilizer in fuselage, skin and wiring damaged. (Major)
   11. Airplane No. 44-8045, PFF Flight. Flak damaged sump and ignition harness of #1 engine. Small flak hole in air scoop in right wing leading edge between fuselage and #3 engine. Flak hole above left waist window, near base of dorsal fin, skin and circumferential were damaged. Flak hole underside right wing, skin corrugation and #4 tank damaged. Small flak hole underside of right wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and tokio tank damaged. Three small flak tears in right side of dorsal fin. Two small flak holes through fabric of right elevator. (Major)
   12. Airplane No. 42-97687, PFF Flight. Two flak holes through left wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and #2 and #6 tokio tanks damaged Small flak hole through left aileron tip, fabric and structure damaged. Flak made large hole in skin of leading edge of dorsal fin. (Major)
   13. Airplane No. 42-97651, PFF Flight. Flak cracked Pilots window. Flak cracked navigators window on right side of nose section. Large flak hole in base of left stabilizer, skin and rib damaged. Flak hole in left tire. Flak damaged #2 ignition harness. Flak damaged #7 plug lead of #2 engine. Two flak holes through left elevator. (Minor)
   
   

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MAJOR DAMAGE		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK
   14		10		4		14

Aircraft No. ___ Squadron - ___  Pilot - Lt. Mueller
Time of Abortive - 1305  Location when Aborted - 5307-0300
Reason For Abortive - F/S [Flying Spare]
Disposition of Bombs: BB [Brought Back]
Altitude At Time of Aborting: ____
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks:
[Signed] R.H. Mueller


Aircraft No. ___ Squadron - 508th  Pilot - 2nd Lt. Zimmerman
Time of Abortive - 1305  Location when Aborted - 53°07'-03°05' [91 miles Northwest of Amsterdam]
Reason For Abortive - Spare
Disposition of Bombs: B.B. [Brought Back]
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 21,000'
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: None
[Signed] William B. Zimmerman

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

   a. 94th "A" Group   Lead Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: Z–7696, O–7595, T–1384, V–7854, L–7676, U–8591, C–8640, F–6566, N–7169, (M–7964 Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: (Y–7651 PFF)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (L–8045 PFF)

   
   

   b. 94th "A" Group   High Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: B–7349, K–8130, H–8666, P–7258, M–7900, J–7978, G–8753, G–8567, A–8410, L–7954, Q–8799, (O–8277 Spare)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (Z–7687 PFF)

   
   

   c. 94th "A" Group   Low Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: Q–8116
   Sqdn 510th A/C: P–2955, G–7812, B–6082, H–8280, A–8465, S–7512, C–2576, N–7665, T–8461, F–7124
   Sqdn 511th A/C: C–8694

2. Target: GH-472
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T WYK R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T PTW R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T ULG R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T WNB R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0845 1045; Take-Off – 0900 1100; E.T.D. Field – 0900 1100
   

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1042 1242	15,000 Ft	Cromer

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1122 1322	23,000 Ft	53°08'N-04°50'E [Texel Island, West Frisian Islands, Netherlands]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1256 1456	23,000 Ft	52°37'N-04°37'E [Egmond, Netherlands]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1336 1536	As Desired	Great Yarmouth

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1412 1612 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "G"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    Lead Squadron: 14 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 Plus 4 x M17 IB's [Incendiary Bombs]
    High Squadron: 14 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 Plus 4 x M17 IB's [Incendiary Bombs]
    Low Squadron: 14 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 Plus 4 x M17 IB's [Incendiary Bombs]
    ___ Squadron:
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2100 Gallons
    
13. Leaders:
    a. Lead Box: Rank & Name: Maj. Carraway A/C No & Sqdn. L-8045 PFF 511
    b. High Box: Rank & Name: Lt Angelini A/C No & Sqdn. Z-7687 PFF 511
    c. Low Box: Rank & Name: Maj. Gorham A/C No & Sqdn. O-2955 510
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None

Report Compiled By Butinchok, Cpl.