351st Bomb Group

1. 1. TARGETS: 
   2. Visual Primary: Oil Refinery at Harburg (Suburb of Hamburg)
   3. PFF Primary: 
   4. Visual Secondary: 
   5. PFF Secondary: Oil Refinery at Harburg.
   6. Last Resort: Airfield at Nordholz
   
   

2. TIMINGS:
   Zero Hour:	- 1000
   Stations:	- 0800
   Start Engines:	- 0810
   Taxi:	- 0820
   Take Off:	- 0835
   Target Time:	- 1148
   ETR [Estimated Time    of Return]:	- 1504

   
     Gasoline 2,500 Gallons
   
   

3. LOADING:
   Lead -	12 x 500# GP’s [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/40 Tail [Fuses]
   High -	12 x 500# GP’s 1/10 Nose x 1/40 Tail
   Low -	12 x 500# GP’s 1/10 Nose x 1/40 Tail
   Composite -	___

   
   
4. Intervalometer Settings: Visual – Salvo / PFF – 100 feet
   
   
5. Chaff: Each A/C carry 576 units. Commence release at I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] & continue for 12 min. Rate of discharge – 8 units every 10 seconds.
   
   

6. Disposition of Forces	[Bomb Group]	Target	Time of Departure
   “A” Gp. in 94 CBW [Combat Bomb Wing]	401st	Oil Refinery Harburg	1004
   “B” Gp. in 94 CBW	351st	Oil Refinery Harburg	1005
   “C” Gp. in 94 CBW	___	____
   1 Div. Lead	401st	Oil Refinery Harburg
   2nd CBW	351st	Oil Refinery Harburg
   3rd CBW	381st	Oil Refinery Harburg
   4th CBW	398th	Oil Refinery Harburg
   5th CBW	306th	Oil Refinery Harburg
   6th CBW	92nd	Oil Refinery Harburg
   7th CBW	305th	Oil Refinery Harburg
   2nd Div.	___	Fuel Plant Misburg	Gt. Yarmouth 1000 & 1046
   3rd Div.	___	Fuel Plant Misburg	Felixstowe 1022

   
   PFF A/C to fly as: Lead & Deputy Lead of Lead, Sqdn. Lead of High Squadron.
   
   REMARKS:
    Route common for all Groups.
    2nd Division will lead 1st on penetration & 3rd will follow 1st on same route.
    Interval between Groups – 1 minute.
   
   
7. Fighter Cover: Three Gps. of P-51’s.
   
   
8. Other Forces: Scout. Force “Buckeye Blue” will perform normal weather scouting & arrive at target 20 min. before W/C [Woodcraft] Able Lead.
   
9. Assembly:

   Lead at	11,000'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher
   High at	12,000'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher
   Low at	10,000'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher
   401st at	11,000'	feet on	Cottesmore	Buncher
   457th at	____	feet on	____	Buncher
   Composite at	____	feet on	____	Buncher

   
   Combat Wing Assembly Line: ____
   Division Assembly Line: Louth to 53°42’ - 03°00’East [Middle of Channel]
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
    
12. Weather - _____
    
    
13. Special Instructions:
    a. Type of Bombing Formation - ____
    b. Bombardier and Navigator of the #3 A/C of each sqdn. report to Photo Lab.
      They are: Lead - K-585 High - N-665 Low - C-753
    c. Camera A/C U-381; T-461; M-900 to return at 03° East.
    d. Spares to turn back at 03° East.
    e. REMARKS: CBW’s will approach Louth as follows: 94th – Spalding; 1st – Boston; & 40th – Spalding.
    
      BREAK!!  PILOT’S STAY!
    
    
14. CALL SIGNS:

    	CALL SIGN	FLARES	NAME
    351st	Woodcraft B - Baker	Normal
    401st	Woodcraft A - Able	Normal
    457th	Woodcraft
    1st Div. Air Commander			Colonel Voorhees
    94th CBW Air Commander			Colonel Voorhees

    
    

    Fighters	Balance 3
    Bombers	Vinegrove 3-2
    Grnd. Control	Channel 741 - Mohair

    
    

    Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
    C.P. 1 - Louth		S - Luxembourg
    C.P. 2 - 53°38’N - 08°52’E [Bad Bederkesa, Germany]		H - Nuenkirchen
    _____		I - Luneburg
    _____		P - Hanover
    _____		M - Dummer Lake
    _____		E - Hamburg
    _____		N - Enschede
    _____		T - Gladbeck

    
    Remarks: Reference Altitude: 26,000’
    
    

15. Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0700 – 1300	RY	V	D
    1300 – 1900	R-RR	Z	C

    
    Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. Channel “A” - All except:
    2. Channel “B” - M-650; F-124; P-258
    3. Channel “C” - 67th F.W.[Fighter Wing] P-676
    4. Channel “C” - 8th A.F., F-705
    5. Channel “D” - All A/C have Air/Sea Rescue available except B-701; V-079; G-070; & P-955 which have 67th F.W. [Fighter Wing] on Channel “D”.
    
    
16. FLYING CONTROL:
    1. Runway on Take Off. ____
    2. Expected Runway on return. ____
    3. Emergency Airfields on Continent. ____

1. Date of Mission - 4 November, 1944.
   1. Target Attacked: Harburg, Germany, by PFF methods. Nordholz, Germany, visually, by the Low Squadron.
   2. Force: 94th “B” Group. Thirty-eight aircraft, including three PFF ships and two flying spares, were dispatched.
   3. Position: Briefed and flew as second group in the Division formation.
   4. Lead Teams

      	Lead Squadron (Harburg)
      	Air Commander:	Lt. Col. Clinton F. Ball
      	Pilot:	Captain Clifford T. Pryor
      	Navigator:	2nd Lt. John P. Curley
      	Bombardier:	Captain John J. Schadegg

      
      

      	High Squadron (Harburg)
      	Leader:	1st Lt. Joseph S. Angelini
      	Pilot:	1st Lt. Richard B. Moulton
      	Navigator:	1st Lt. Stanley J. Goodman
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Earl G. Maxwell

      
      

      	Low Squadron (Nordholz)
      	Leader:	1st Lt. James M. Purcell
      	Pilot:	2nd Lt. Robert P. Redman
      	Navigator:	2nd Lt. Frederick S. Kelley
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. John Androkitis

2. Narrative.
   1.  Squadron and Group Assembly: The assembly was made over the Kings Cliffe buncher, but not at the briefed altitude of 11,000 feet. It was started at 13,000 feet and was later increased to 13,400 feet due to building strato-cumulus clouds, with tops at approximately 11,000 feet. No difficulty was encountered in making the assembly at the higher altitude.
   2.  Route Over England: Departure from the assembly area was made one minute late at 0944. The briefed route was followed with only minor divergencies [sic]. Spalding was reached three minutes early and Louth was reached on time at 1005. Departure from the English coast was made at the briefed point at 1007 (on time) at the briefed altitude of 13,000 feet. The Division Lead Group had been contacted shortly after the departure from the assembly area and the 94th “B” Group was flying slightly behind and to the right.
   3.  Division Assembly Line: The Division Assembly Line was flown as briefed for the majority of the flight across the North Sea. A divergency [sic] was made to the right of course at 53°40’N - 05°00’E [Near Terschelling, West Frisian Islands, Netherlands.] in order to stay in the proper position with the Division Lead Group.
   4.  Flight to Target: The 94th “B” Group was flying in its briefed position (second, guiding left) for the entire flight to the enemy coast. In order to avoid cutting off the Division Lead Group at the turn at 54°03’N - 07°50’E [30 miles NNW of Wilhelmshaven, Germany], the 94th “B” Group changed its position from right to left of the Division Leader. This change is indicated on the Track Chart by a blue line, as the black lines at that point merely indicate connections between the actual points reached. The switch from right to left was made without difficulty. This maneuver took the 94th “B” Group to the left of the briefed course, while the Division Lead Group was flying the planned route. Shortly after crossing the enemy coast, it was again necessary to change position from left to right of the Division Lead Group in order to permit it to make the turn to the left at the briefed IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run]. As a 1st Combat Wing Group was flying to the right of the 94th “B” Group and directly behind the Division Lead Group, it was necessary to make the switch from left to right in an abrupt turn. The following group (1st Combat Wing) was able to follow the 94th “B” Group after it crossed over with no apparent difficulty. The Division Lead Group was then able to make the briefed turn at the IP and proceed to the target with the 94th “B” Group passing to the right of the briefed IP and making its turn towards the target south of the briefed turning point (as indicated on the Track Chart by blue).
   5.  Description of Bombing Run: The target at Harburg, Germany, was attacked by the Lead and High Squadrons by PFF methods. Both squadrons made their own sighting operations. The turn into the target was made south of the briefed IP as a result of the aforementioned maneuver to avoid cutting off the Division Lead Group in its turn at the briefed IP. There was no interference on the bomb run. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was used satisfactorily by the lead aircraft of both squadrons. Two aircraft in the Low Squadron bombed on the bombs of the Group Lead aircraft when they were out of position and could not see the lead aircraft of the Low Squadron. As the smoke bombs of the Group Lead aircraft failed to go off, the Low Squadron leader did not drop his bombs on the primary target.
   6.  Flight From Target: After attacking the target, the 94th “B” Group followed the Division Lead Group on the withdrawal. Shortly before the enemy coast was reached, the Low Squadron was able to visually attack the Last Resort Target at Nordholz, Germany. No difficulty was encountered in the attack. The C-1 Pilot functioned satisfactorily. Nine aircraft attacked the Last Resort Target. The enemy coast was departed at the briefed point at 24,600 feet. The Division Lead Group was followed for the remainder of the mission. The English coast was crossed at Cromer at 1453 – twenty-two minutes late, at 2,400 feet. A normal let-down procedure had been followed. Return to base was made without further incident.
   7.  Fighter Support: Good.
   8.  Comments: No aircraft were lost. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Flak at the primary target was moderate and fairly accurate for height but poor for deflection. Meager and inaccurate flak was reported at Nordholz, the Last Resort Target. Information received from the Scouting Force was relayed by the Division Lead Group.
   9.  Aircraft Not Attacking: There were no failures to attack. Two flying spares 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 performed own PFF 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? No
7. Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? Yes
8. Any other factors affecting accuracy? Four Two A/C from the Low Squadron flying in the Low section bombed on the Lead Squadron as they were out of position and could not see the lead A/C of the Low Squadron. The smoke bomb in the Lead A/C of the Lead Squadron failed to go off.

Bombardier - Captain Schadegg, John J.
Pilot - Lt. Colonel Ball, Clinton F. & Captain Pryor, C.T.
Navigator - 2nd Lt. Curley, John P.

Aircraft B-17G   B-701  Take-off - 0830 Landed - 1530
Objective - Harburg, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - Briefed PFF Aiming Point
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 - 12 x 500-LB., AN-M43 G.P.’s & 1 Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - As above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - PFF On

Information at Release Point:   Smoke marker did not go off.

Type of Release - Train 100'
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -13.5 Actual -14
Winds - Altitude - 26,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 270°  Actual 315°  Velocity - Metro 50  Actual 72
Temp C. - Metro -41° C. Actual -42° C.
Four (4) A/C from the Low Squadron bombed on the Lead Squadron.

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 performed own PFF sighting operation.
3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes 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. Maxwell, Earl G.
Pilot - 1st Lt. Angelini, Joseph S.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Goodman, Stanley J.

Aircraft B-17G   Y-651  Take-off - 0830 Landed - 1615
Objective - Harburg, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - Briefed PFF Aiming Point
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 - 12 x 500-LB., AN-M43 G.P.’s & 1 Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - As above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - PFF On

Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train 100'
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -13.5 Actual -14
Winds - Altitude - 26,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 270°  Actual 280°  Velocity - Metro 50K  Actual 45K
Temp C. - Metro -42° C. Actual -43° C.

1. Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)?   Visual
2. Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation? I was unable to see the bombs drop from the PFF A/C in the Lead Squadron, so went on to the Last Resort and made a visual run.
3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? None used.
4. Cloud coverage and visibility. 1/10 to 2/10 cloud cover.
5. If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? No trouble in seeing briefed M.P.I. [Mean Point of Impact].
6. Any Interference on Bomb Run? None
7. Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? Yes
8. Any other factors affecting accuracy? Only eight (8) nine (9) A/C bombed the Last Resort. Results were good to excellent.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Androkitis, John
Pilot - 1st Lt. Purcell, James M.
Navigator - 2nd Lt. Kelley, Frederic S.

Aircraft B-17G   B-349  Take-off - 0835 Landed - 1545
Objective - A/D [Airdrome] at Nordholz, Germany (Last Resort)
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As Briefed
Initial Point - None used
Method of Attack - Squadron
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 8   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 - 12 x 500-LB., AN-M43 G.P.’s & 1 Marker
Number of Bombs Loaded - As above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - PFF On

Information at Release Point:   Smoke marker did not go off.

Type of Release - Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Good to excellent
Mean Temp. Metro -13.5 Actual -13.5
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 270°  Actual 290°  Velocity - Metro 50K  Actual 45K
Temp C. - Metro -38° C. Actual -38° C.
Four (4) A/C from the Low Squadron bombed on the Lead Squadron.

1. The lead and high squadrons of this Group attacked the oil refinery at Harburg, Germany. Bombing was by PFF method through 10/10 clouds and no ground detail can be seen on the photos.
2. The low squadron attacked the last resort target, the aerodrome at Nordholz, Germany. Photo cover is good. The main concentration of bombs fell in the SE dispersal area, with the main impact of the pattern on the MPI. Direct hits can be seen in at least three blast shelters; the hangar has a direct hit as well as a near miss by a salvo of bombs. Other bursts are seen throughout the dispersal area and damage should be heavy.
3. The pattern is 2,882 feet by 2,620 feet, with the center of the pattern 524 feet NE (right) of the briefed MPI. [Mean Point of Impact].

1. No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
2. The low squadron bombed the assigned Last Resort target – the airfield at Nordholz, Germany – due to the fact that the smoke marker of the lead ship did not go off at the primary, and photos show bombing results to be very good. Several direct hits are seen on shelters and dispersals, and scattered bombs fell throughout the dispersal area. There were 4/10ths clouds in this area. The lead and high squadrons bombed by PFF methods on the secondary, a fuel depot at Harburg [Germany]. PFF operators believe that results should be good, but photographs do not show the results due to 10/10ths cloud conditions in the target area.
3. There was no enemy aircraft opposition, and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
4. Flak at the primary target was moderate and fairly accurate for height, but poor for deflection. At Nordholz, the last resort target, meager inaccurate flak was reported by a few crews. There was also meager inaccurate flak at Heligoland, Wangerooge, Cuxhaven, and Wesermunde.
5. In the primary target area there were 10/10ths clouds, and over the last resort target the clouds were 4/10ths.
6. A convoy of 20 to 25 ships was sighted heading for the mouth of the Elbe River.
7. 53°50’N - 07°50’E [North of Wangerooge Island, Netherlands], at 1225 hours. Crews observed heavy smoke screens as they passed over Brunsbuttelkoog, believed to hide possible shipping in that area.
8. PFF units were employed by lead and high boxes, with results as indicated in paragraph 2 above. Fighter support was good. Information received from the Scouting Force, as to weather conditions at the target, was relayed by the 94th “A” Group. None of our A/C is missing.

    508th Squadron:
A/C 753-C: Lead of the low box was very poor. We expect a small variation of air speed, but do not expect a variation of 30 MPH. –
      Lt. Crutcher.
A/C 711-F: Chaff chute does not seem to be big enough for this type of chaff. Had trouble getting it out. – Sgt. Conley.
A/C 956-L: Smoke markers unobserved from lead box. – Lt. Zimmerman.
A/C 727-N: Timing at I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] seemed to have been way off, as over nine groups appeared over same area
      from all directions and at similar altitudes. – Lt. Wiese.
A/C 978-J: Couldn’t Officer’s Mess be kept open until a half hour before stations time, so we could at least get a cup of coffee?

    510th Squadron:
A/C 665-N: Trucks should be swept out – guns get full of mud when carried out to planes. – Lt. Bennett.

    511th Squadron:
A/C 650-M: Our ship was the sixth A/C to land, and the crew was the last to be picked up by transportation. – Lt. Kasper.
A/C 435-H: Very good lead. – Lt. Schwartz.

    General:
Mickey Operators wished their appreciation expressed to Colonel Ball for his understanding and perfect cooperation in leading Pathfinder bombing. – Lts. Trombley, Schoen, Hardaway.

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-97252, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned.
   2. Airplane No. 44-6579, 511th Squadron, returned early as planned.
2. No battle damage received.

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

   a. 94th "B" Group   Lead Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: (B–7701 PFF)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: (V–8079 PFF)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: K–8585, H–8435, D–7524, P–2676, C–8694, M–8650, F–7705, N–8592, U–7381, G–8070, (J–6579 Spare)

   
   

   b. 94th "B" Group   High Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: C–8640
   Sqdn 510th A/C: P–2955, N–7665, B–6082, F–7124, L–7515, U–7216, C–2576, T–8461, H–8280, G–7862
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

   
   

   c. 94th "B" Group   Low Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: B–7349, A–8410, C–8753, G–8567, P–7258, J–7978, H–8666, K–8130, F–1711, M–7900, N–7727, L–7956
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

2. Target: GQ-1633
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T TAZ R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T KCD R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T STP R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T SUW R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0820; Take-Off – 0835; E.T.D. Field – 0835
   b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1005	13,000 Ft	Louth

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1130	25,500 Ft	53°46'N-08°31'E [15 miles N of Bremerhaven, Germany]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1222	25,000 Ft	53°46'N-08°31'E [15 miles N of Bremerhaven, Germany]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1431	10,000 Ft	Cromer

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1504 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "G"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    Lead Squadron: 13 [Planes] 12 x 500 G.P. [General Purpose]- 1/10 x 1/40 [Fuses]
    High Squadron: 13 - 12 x 500 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40
    Low Squadron: 12 - 12 x 500 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40
    ___ Squadron:
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2500 Gallons
    
13. Leaders:
    a. Lead Box: Rank & Name: Lt. Col. Ball A/C No & Sqdn. B-7701 PFF 509
    b. High Box: Rank & Name: Lt. Angelini A/C No & Sqdn. Y-7651 PFF 510
    c. Low Box: Rank & Name: Lt. Purcell A/C No & Sqdn. B-7349 508
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None

Report Compiled By Batinchok, Cpl.