18 Dec. 1944 Target: RR Marshalling Yard, Cologne, Germany

Group Mission #244

Credited Mission - No Credit

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DATE: 18 Dec. 1944

Target: R.R. Marshalling Yard, Cologne, Germany

Briefing Outline:

1. TARGETS:
2. Visual Primary: Cologne M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard]
3. PFF Primary: Same
4. Visual Secondary: Same
5. PFF Secondary: Same
6. Last Resort: Limburg [Germany] A/F [Air Field]

TIMINGS:
Zero Hour:	- 1130
Stations:	- 0910
Start Engines:	- 0920
Taxi:	- 0930
Take Off:	- 0945
Target Time:	- 1312
ETR [Estimated Time of Return]:	- 1605

Last T.O [Take Off]: 1100

Gasoline 2,300 Gallons

LOADING:
Lead -	18 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 N [Nose] – 1/40 T [Tail] [Fuses] plus 2 x M-17 IB [Incendiary Bomb]
High -	Same
Low -	Same
Composite -	___

Intervalometer Settings: Visual – Salvo. P.F.F. – 50 FT., L/R - 50'.
Chaff: Start at IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] & continue for 21 mins. – 504 units/A/C [Aircraft].

	Disposition of Forces	[Bomb Group]	Target	Time of Departure
	“A” Gp. in 94 CBW [Combat Bomb Wing]	401	Cologne M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard]
	“B” Gp. in 94 CBW	351	Cologne M/Y	1127
	“C” Gp. in 94 CBW	457	Cologne M/Y	1129
"A" Task Force	1 Div. Lead	401	Cologne M/Y	1153
	2nd CBW	351	Cologne M/Y	1154
	3rd CBW	457	Cologne M/Y	1155
	4th CBW	381	Cologne M/Y	1156
	5th CBW	398	Cologne M/Y	1156
	2nd Div.	6 Grps. 5 Grps.	Koblenz M/Y Tactical Targets
	3rd Div.	6 Grps.	Mainz
"B" Task Force	1st Bomb Div.	3 Grps.	Tactical Targets	1159
"C" Task Force	1st Bomb Div.	2 Grps.	Ehrang M/Y	1205

PFF A/C to fly as: Lead & Deputy Lead and High Squadron Lead.
REMARKS:
Enemy planning counter-offensive in area [of] target.

Fighter Cover: 7 Gps. of P-47’s, area - 1 group P-51, Close [Support].
Other Forces: ____

Assembly:

Lead at	18,500'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher
High at	19,500'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher
Low at	17,500'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher
401st at	17,000'	feet on	Cottesmore	Buncher
457th at	17,000'	feet on	Glatton	Buncher
Composite at	____	feet on	____	Buncher

Combat Wing Assembly Line: Thetford - Clacton
Division Assembly Line: Cromer to 52°37’N-04°37’E [Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands]

Navigator - _____
S-2 - _____
Weather - _____
Special Instructions:
a. Type of Bombing Formation - Normal
b. Bombardier and Navigator of the #3 A/C of each sqdn. report to Photo Lab.
They are: Lead - Q-799, High - Z-696, Low - H-435
c. Camera A/C L-956, N-169, P-676
to return at Continental coast.
d. Spares to turn back at 03° East.
e. REMARKS: ____

BREAK!! PILOT’S STAY!

CALL SIGNS:

	CALL SIGN	FLARES
351st	Woodcraft Baker	RG [Red Green]
401st	Woodcraft Able Leader	RY
457th	Woodcraft Charlie Leader	RY
1st Div. Air Commander	Col. Brown
94th CBW Air Commander	Col. Brown

Fighters	Balance 2-1
Bombers	Vinegrove 2-2
Grnd. Control	Mohair

Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
C.P. 1 - Clacton		W - Rheine
C.P. 2 - 51°15’N-02°55’E		R - Hamm
[Ostend, Belgium]		E - Paderborn
C.P. 3 - 50°13’N-05°44’E		S - Kassel
[Châbrehé, Belgium]		T - Geissen
_____		L - Koln
_____		I - Koblenz
_____		N - Worms
_____		G - Trier

Remarks: Reference Altitude: 22,000’

Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
1. Channel “A” - All except [the following]:
2. Channel “B” - P-258, U-591, F-705
3. Channel “C” - 67th F.W. [Fighter Wing] A-410
4. Channel “C” - 8th A.F. [Air Force] O-277
5. Channel “D” - All, except Z-376, B-701, B-349, Q-080, (8th AF Fighters).
FLYING CONTROL:
1. Runway on Take Off. ____
2. Expected Runway on return. ____
3. Emergency Airfields on Continent. ____

Operational Narrative – 94th “C” CBW:

Date of Mission - 18 Dec, 1944.

Target Attacked: None. Assigned target was Cologne, Germany
Force: 94th “B” Group. Thirty-eight aircraft, including two flying spares and three PFF ships, were dispatched.
Position: The briefed position of second in the First Bomb Division Formation was flown.

Lead Teams

	Group Lead
	Group Leader:	Lt Col James T. Stewart
	Pilot:	Captain Evan A. Poston
	Navigator:	Captain Lester W. Boardman
	Bombardier:	Lt Earl G. Maxwell

	High Squadron
	Pilot:	Lt. Archie R. Crews
	Co-Pilot:	Lt. Harvey W. Powell
	Navigator:	Lt. Harry U. Perry
	Bombardier:	Lt. Edward H. Anderson

	Low Squadron
	Pilot:	Lt. Harlan E. Popp
	Co-Pilot:	Lt. John W. Zimmerman
	Navigator:	Lt. Orvil L. Wolz
	Bombardier:	Lt. Jerald E. Tracewitz

Narrative.
1. Squadron and Group Assembly: Some difficulty was encountered in the assembly when the 457th Group made part of its assembly circle over the Kings Cliffe buncher. As a result, it was necessary for the 351st Group to make its assembly to the southwest of the buncher, rather than over it, as planned.
2. Route Over England: Departure from the assembly point was made on time. After departing from the buncher, the 94th "B" Group found itself outside of Deenethorpe and being forced to the north of the briefed course by Molesworth [303rd Bomb Group]. As a result, the briefed course could not be contacted until shortly before the departure from the English coast. The 94th "B" was ahead of time shortly before reaching the coast, and a double drift was made in order to lose time. The altitude at the English coast was 23,200 feet, 2,700 feet above the briefed altitude. All formations had found that it would be necessary to climb in order to get above the cloud cover. Departure from the coast was made at 1150½ - thirty seconds late.
3. Division Assembly Line: The 94th "B" Group got into the proper position behind the 94th "A" Group without difficulty. The briefed Division Assembly Line was not flown, the formation taking a course to the left of the briefed course in following the preceding formation. Difficulty with weather was encountered before the departure from the English coast, and was found to get worse over the continent. The Belgian coast was crossed to the left of course at 1222 - six minutes late at an altitude of 27,000 feet, 2,500 feet above the briefed altitude.
4. Flight to Target: In the vicinity of Brussels, the weather was found to consist of cloud layers that became higher and thicker, from an altitude of 20,000 feet. The altitude of the formation at that point was 29,600 feet. The cloud layers encountered before the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was reached were observed to reach to 31,000 feet. It was not believed possible that the formation could get over that altitude in order to get above the weather, and formation flying would have been impossible in the clouds. Wood craft Able started to climb above the cloud cover, but the 94th "B" Group Leader, who was flying above him, advised him not to. The Weather Scouting Force recommended going to the south of course, but such a maneuver would have put the Task Force in the area to be flown by the Second and Third Division Formations, and some difficulty would undoubtedly have resulted. The Weather Scouting Force also recommended that the target could be attacked from an altitude of 15,000 feet, but this was deemed too low. The 94th "B" Group Leader told the Task Force Leader that he was waiting for him to attempt to get through the heavy cloud cover at that altitude. The Task Force Leader decided to abandon the Mission. The 94th "B" Group followed suit.
5. Flight From Target: The 94th "B" Group let down through a hole in the cloud cover after making three 360° turns to 15,500 feet. Divergencies [sic] from course were made in order to stay in the best weather. A direct return to base was necessitated by a shortage of gasoline. A normal let down procedure was followed. The High and Low Squadrons went to their stand-off areas before landing.
6. Fighter Support: As briefed.
7. Comments: No aircraft were lost. No enemy aircraft were encountered. No flak was encountered. All aircraft returned to base with bombs on board. VHF Channel "A" was unreadable due to carrier wave. VHF Channel "B" was cluttered by the large number of formations using it.

[Signed] Clinton F. Ball, Lt Col, Air Corps, Operations Officer

Statistical Summary:

	94th “C” COMBAT BOMB WING FORMATION
	Lead Box	High Box	Low Box	TOTAL
No. of A/C Failing to Take Off	0	0	0	0
No. of A/C Airborne	13	13	12	38
No. of A/C Airborne Less Unused Spares	12	12	12	36
No. of A/C Sorties	0	0	0	0
No. of A/C Attacking	0	0	0	0
No. of A/C Not Attacking	12	12	12	36
Name of Primary Target	COLOGNE, GERMANY
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary Target	0	0	0	0
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs	0	0	0	0
Name of Secondary Target
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Last Resort Target (LRT)
(A) No. of A/C Attacking LRT
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Target of Opportunity (T.O.)
(A) No. of A/C Attacking T.O.
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
No. of A/C Lost - Total	0	0	0	0
No. of A/C Lost - Flak
No. of A/C Lost - Flak and E/A
No. of A/C Lost - Enemy Aircraft
No. of A/C Lost - Accident
No. of A/C Lost - Unknown
Time of Take Off	0940	0941½	0943
Time of Attack	-	-	-
Average Time of Flight	5:43	6:02	6:00
Altitude of Release	-	-	-
Visual or PFF	-	-	-
Enemy Resistance – AA Intensity & Accuracy	0	0	0
Enemy Resistance – Fighter	0	0	0	0
Enemy Resistance – Bombers	0	0	0	0
U.S. A/C Engaged by Enemy Aircraft	0	0	0	0
Degree of Success	-	-	-

PFF A/C were borrowed from Groups as follows: None
PFF A/C were loaned to Groups as follows: None

PFF AIRCRAFT		POSITION
44-8376		GROUP LEAD
42-97701		DEPUTY GROUP LEAD
42-97651		HIGH SQDN LEAD

[Lead Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Cologne, 18 December, 1944

Flight Plan and Log attached.
Track Chart attached.
Narrative.
1. T/O at 0923 hours.
2. Group formed at 1100 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 18,500 feet.
3. Wing assembly was completed at 1150½ hours at Clacton.
4. Route over England was not flown as briefed. We started north to obtain proper position in wing, but Molesworth [303rd Bomb Group] kept us from making proper rendezvous. So we cut off one leg, reaching CP 1 [Control Point 1] ½ min. late.
5. Methods of Navigation over England. Pilotage and Gee.
6. Division formation was joined at 1150½ hours at Clacton.
7. Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was not flown as briefed. Didn't reach IP but route was as briefed.
8. Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee, pilotage and Mickey [Radar].
9. BOMB RUN.
  1. Actual I.P. was (not) as briefed. None.
  2. True heading over target. None.
  3. Actual Drift ____
  4. Altitude over Target ____
  5. Time Bombs Away ____
  6. Wind used for bombing ____
  7. Method of target identification. ____
  8. Difficulties on bomb run. ____
  9. Weather over Target. ____
  10. Axis of withdrawal ____
10. Group rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
11. Wing rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
12. Division rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
13. Flight home was ~~was not~~ as briefed.
14. Methods of navigation on return route. Gee and Pilotage.
15. Winds aloft were (not) called out to the formation.
16. Fighter rendezvous' were ~~not~~ as briefed.
17. PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT.
  1. Mickey [Radar]: OK
  2. Gee: OK
  3. Radio Compass: OK
  4. Fluxgate: OK
  5. Other Equipment OK

[Signed:] Lester W. Boardman, Capt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, High Squadron

[High Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Cologne, 18 December, 1944

Flight Plan and Log attached.
Track Chart attached.
Narrative.
1. T/O [Take Off] at 0942 hours.
2. Group formed at 1109 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 19,300 feet.
3. Wing assembly was completed at ____ hours at ____.
4. Route over England was not flown as briefed. Went up over Wash [a large inlet on coast northeast of Polebrook] before turning to point D.
5. Methods of Navigation over England. Gee and DR [Dead Reckoning].
6. Division formation was joined at 1151 hours at Clacton.
7. Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was not flown as briefed.
8. Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee, Mickey [Radar] and DR [Dead Reckoning].
9. BOMB RUN.
  1. Actual I.P. was not as briefed.
  2. True heading over target. ____
  3. Actual Drift ____
  4. Altitude over Target ____
  5. Time Bombs Away ____
  6. Wind used for bombing ____
  7. Method of target identification. ____
  8. Difficulties on bomb run. ____
  9. Weather over Target. Clouds to about 34,000' 18 miles West of I.P.
  10. Axis of withdrawal ____
10. Group rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
11. Wing rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
12. Division rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
13. Flight home was ~~was not~~ as briefed.
14. Methods of navigation on return route. Mickey and DR [Dead Reckoning].
15. Winds aloft were not called out to the formation.
16. Fighter rendezvous' were ~~not~~ as briefed.
17. PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT.
  1. Mickey [Radar]: OK
  2. Gee: ____
  3. Radio Compass: Needs calibrating.
  4. Fluxgate: OK
  5. Other Equipment OK

[Signed:] Harry U. Perry, 1st. Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, High Squadron

[Low Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Cologne, 18 December, 1944

Flight Plan and Log attached.
Track Chart attached.
Narrative.
1. T/O [Take Off] at 0945 hours.
2. Group formed at 1109 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 18,500 feet.
3. Wing assembly was completed at 1150 hours at Clacton.
4. Route over England was (not) flown as briefed. Went over edge of Wash [a large inlet on coast northeast of Polebrook] on route. Paralleled course rest of way.
5. Methods of Navigation over England. Gee, Pilotage and DR [Dead Reckoning].
6. Division formation was joined at 1150 hours at Clacton.
7. Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was ~~not~~ flown as briefed.
8. Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee, Pilotage and DR [Dead Reckoning].
9. BOMB RUN.
  1. Actual I.P. was (not) as briefed. ____
  2. True heading over target. ____
  3. Actual Drift ____
  4. Altitude over Target ____
  5. Time Bombs Away ____
  6. Wind used for bombing ____
  7. Method of target identification. ____
  8. Difficulties on bomb run. ____
  9. Weather over Target. ____
  10. Axis of withdrawal ____
10. Group rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
11. Wing rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
12. Division rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
13. Flight home was ~~was not~~ as briefed.
14. Methods of navigation on return route. Gee, Pilotage and DR [Dead Reckoning].
15. Winds aloft were (not) called out to the formation.
16. Fighter rendezvous' were not as briefed.
17. PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT.
  1. Mickey [Radar]: ____
  2. Gee: ____
  3. Radio Compass: OK
  4. Fluxgate: OK
  5. Other Equipment OK

[Signed:] Orvil L. Wolz, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, High Squadron

Bombardier’s Report For The Mission Of This Date:

No bombs were dropped by this Group flying the 94th CBW "B" Group on 18 December 1944 - Field Order #582.
The following reports will not be made by this office:
1. Combat Bombing Flight Record (12 E Modified Form).
2. Lead Bombardier's Narrative.

[Signed] William B. Lyttle, Captain, Air Corps, Group Bombardier.

Narrative Teletype Report:

No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
There were no bombs dropped because of weather.
No E/A [Enemy Aircraft] were encountered and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
No flak was encountered during the mission.
The mission was abandoned at 50°33'N-05°26'E [Neupré, Belgium] near the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] at 1306 hours when it was found impossible for the formation to go over or under cloud layers which extended over 30,000 feet. It was necessary to fly the route considerably above the altitude briefed, and it was impossible from a point just before the I.P. to take the formation over the clouds.
There were no observations of military importance.
The PFF A/C [Aircraft] employed by this Group worked well. The Scouting Force furnished accurate weather information as to conditions around the target. Fighter support was as briefed. None of our A/C are missing.

Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge

Mission Summary Report:

Abortives and Flying Spares:
1. Airplane No. 42-97252, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned.
2. Airplane No. 42-39001, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned.
Battle Damage:
1. None received.

[Signed:] Otto R. Vasak, Major, Air Corps, Station S-4 [Engineering] Officer

“J” Form:

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

a. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group Lead Squadron - 351st Group
Sqdn 508th A/C: A–8410, C–8753, F–1711, G–8567, L–7956, M–7900, O–8277, P–7258, Q–8799, Y–6108, (Z–8376 PFF)
Sqdn 509th A/C: (B–7701 PFF)
Sqdn 510th A/C: (K–7252 Spare)
Sqdn 511th A/C: None

b. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group Low Squadron - 351st Group
Sqdn 508th A/C: None
Sqdn 509th A/C: None
Sqdn 510th A/C: None
Sqdn 511th A/C: A–8428, B–8691, C–8694, F–7705, G–8070, H–8435, K–8585, M–8650, N–8592, P–2676, Q–8080, U–7381

c. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group High Squadron - 351st Group
Sqdn 508th A/C: B–7349
Sqdn 509th A/C: C–8640, F–6566, G–6078, M–7964, ~~N–7169~~, O–7595, T–1384, V–7854, U–8591, Z–7696
Sqdn 510th A/C: (Y–7651 PFF), T–8461, (M–9001 Spare)
Sqdn 511th A/C: None

Target: GH-625

W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T NGM R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T WTL R/T TIPSTAFF
Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T JBB R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T KOS R/T PARTNERSHIP

Taxi – ~~0935~~ 0930; Take-Off – ~~0950~~ 0945; E.T.D. Field – ~~0950~~ 0945
Time: Height: Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)

1150 20,500 Ft Clacton

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
1150	20,500 Ft	Clacton

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
1216	24,500 Ft	51°15'N-02°55'E [2.3 miles NNW of Ostend, Belgium]

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
1457	7,000 Ft	51°16'N-03°03'E 6 miles NE of Ostend, Belgium]

Time: Height: Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)

1525 5,000 Ft Felixstowe
E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1605 Hours
MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "H"
Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
Lead Squadron: 13 [Planes] 12 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] - 1/10 x 1/40 plus 2 M-17 IB's [Incendiary Bombs]
Low Squadron: 12 [Planes] 12 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] - 1/10 x 1/40 plus 2 M-17 IB's [Incendiary Bombs]
High Squadron: 13 [Planes] 12 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] - 1/10 x 1/40 plus 2 M-17 IB's [Incendiary Bombs]
___ Squadron:
Fuel Load of each A/C: 2300 Gallons
Leaders:
Lead Sqdn: Rank & Name: Lt. Col. J.T. Stewart A/C No & Sqdn. Z-8376 PFF (508)
Low Sqdn: Rank & Name: Lt. Popp A/C No & Sqdn. Q-8080 (511)
High Sqdn: Rank & Name: Lt. Powell A/C No & Sqdn. Y-7651 PFF (510)
Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
None

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
1525	5,000 Ft	Felixstowe

Report Compiled By ____

Formation Chart:

94th "B" Group - Lead Squadron Formation at Take–Off
				508th Squadron
				Stewart–Poston A/C 44-8376 Z PFF
			Parnell A/C 43-38799 Q		Angelini A/C 42-97701 B PFF
	Sullivan A/C 44-6108 Y						Glazier A/C 43-37900 M
Kale A/C 44-8410 A		Zimmerman A/C 43-38277 O				Wishnewsky A/C 42-97258 P		Galloway A/C 42-31711 F
	Crutcher A/C 43-38753 C						Rossen A/C 42-97252 K Spare
Wiese A/C 43-37956 L		Buttel A/C 43-38567 G

[Flying Spare Aircraft returned as planned.]

94th "B" Group - High Squadron Formation at Take–Off
				509th Squadron
				Powell–Crews A/C 42-97651 Y PFF
			Hammond A/C 43-37696 Z		Coulam A/C 42-97349 B
	Walker A/C 43-37854 V						Goldsborough A/C 44-6566 F
Beveridge A/C 44-6078 G		Della-Cioppa A/C 42-31384 T				Claggett A/C 43-38640 C		Whittaker A/C 43-38591 U
	Cronin A/C 43-37595 O						Maddux A/C 43-39001 M Spare
Smith A/C 43-37964 M		Hammet A/C 43-38461 T

[Flying Spare Aircraft returned as planned.]

94th "B" Group - Low Squadron Formation at Take–Off
				511th Squadron
				Popp A/C 43-38080 Q
			Schwartz A/C 43-38435 H		Robinson A/C 43-38691 B
	Johnson A/C 43-38694 C						Lambert A/C 43-38428 A
Kasper A/C 43-38650 M		Langdon A/C 43-37705 F				Butler A/C 42-97381 U		Kohler A/C 43-38592 N
	Hadley A/C 43-38585 K
Fox A/C 42-102676 P		Taylor A/C 43-38070 G

Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 1130 BST [British Standard Time] Briefing: ____ Stations: 0910 Start Engines: 0920 Taxi: 0930 Take-Off: 0945 Leave Base: 0945

[Wounded On Mission: 0]

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351st Bomb Group

Polebrook, England

Group Mission #244

Credited Mission - No Credit