351st Bomb Group

Polebrook, England

Group Mission #246

Credited Mission #239

 
DATE: 24 Dec. 1944
Target: Nidda [Germany] A/D [Airdrome]
Bombed Airfield at Biblis, Germany
 
Briefing Outline:

    1. TARGETS: 
    2. Visual Primary: Nidda [Germany] A/D [Airdrome]
    3. PFF Primary: ____
    4. Visual Secondary: Siegen [Germany] M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard]
    5. PFF Secondary: ____
    6. Last Resort: Breitscheid [Germany] A/D [Airdrome]

  1. TIMINGS:
    Zero Hour: - 1100
    Stations: - 0955
    Start Engines: - 1005
    Taxi: - 1015
    Take Off: - 1030
    Target Time: - 1422
    ETR [Estimated Time
       of Return]:
    - 1630+

      Gasoline 2,700 Gallons

  2. LOADING:
     Lead - 10 x 500 Navy
     High - 10 x M-17 [Incendiary Bomb]
     Low - 10 x 500
     Composite - ___

  3. Intervalometer Settings: 75' Last Resort 15 [feet]

  4. Chaff: I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] for 15 min.

  5. Disposition of Forces [Bomb Group]TargetTime of Departure
    "A" Gp. in 94 CBW
    [Combat Bomb Wing]
    457  
    "B" Gp. in 94 CBW 401
    "C" Gp. in 94 CBW35111th in Division [Formation]
    1 Div. Lead1
    2nd CBW40
    3rd CBW94
    4th CBW41
    2nd Div.583 A/C
    3rd Div.800 A/C

    PFF A/C to fly as: All over
    REMARKS:
     ____

  6. Fighter Cover: 10 Gps. of P-51’s.

  7. Other Forces: ____

  8. Assembly:
    Lead at7,000'feet on Kings Cliffe Buncher
    High at8,000'feet onKings CliffeBuncher
    Low at6,000'feet onKings CliffeBuncher
    401st at7,000'feet onCottesmoreBuncher
    457th at7,000'feet onGlattonBuncher
    Composite at____feet on____
    Combat Wing Assembly Time: ____
    Division Assembly Time: 1212

  9. Navigator - _____

  10. S-2 - _____

  11. Weather - _____

  12. 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 - T-461, High - G-078, Low - o-277
     c. Camera A/C -  P-676
      to return at -  Belgian Coast
     d. Spares to turn back at - Everybody goes in.
     e. REMARKS: Strong opposition expected.
      Miller to Deenethorpe to S-512

      BREAK!!  PILOT’S STAY!

  13. CALL SIGNS:
    CALL SIGNFLARES  NAME
    351stWoodcraft Charlie
    401stWoodcraft Baker
    457thWoodcraft Able
    1st Div. Air Commander
    94th CBW Air CommanderMaj. Chapman

    FightersBalance 2-1 to 2-10
    BombersVinegrove 2-11
    Grnd. ControlColgate & Mohair

    Control Points:Fighter Reference Points:
    C.P. 1 - ClactonS - Malmedy
    C.P. 2 - 51°13’N-02°53’EP - Koblenz
     [Ostend, Belgium]L - Cologne
    C.P. 3 - 50°35’N-05°00’EI - Kassel
     [Seron, Belgium]N - Frankfurt
    C.P. 4 - 50°25’N-06°25’ET - Manheim
     [4 miles N of Scheid, Germany]E - Karlsruhe
    _____R - Trier
    Remarks: Reference Altitude: 22,000’

  14. Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. Channel “A” - All except:
    2. Channel “B” - V-079, B-349, A-428
    3. Channel “C” - 67th F.W. [Fighter Wing] Q-080, F-124
    4. Channel “C” - 8th A.F. [Air Force] T-461
    5. Channel “D” - ____

  15. FLYING CONTROL:
    1. Runway on Take Off. 07
    2. Expected Runway on return. 07
    3. Emergency Airfields on Continent.____


Operational Narrative
  1. Date of Mission - 24 December, 1944.
    1. Target Attacked:  The following targets in Germany were attacked by one or more aircraft: Biblis, Kaiserlautern, Koblenz, Frankfurt-Rhein-Main, Mershausen and Geissen.
    2. Position: The Spoofing Force put up from home base flew alone. The other aircraft participating in the mission flew with several other groups in filling out formations.
    3. Force: 
      No. of
      Aircraft
       Flew With   Attacked Bombs 
      26351st Group[Spoofing Force]
      16384th GroupBiblis320 x 250
      1457th GroupKoblenz12 x 500
      2384th GroupKaiserlautern40 x 250
      291st GroupMarzhausen23 x 500
      1303rd GroupMarzhausen12 x 500
      1306th GroupGeissen11 x 500
      1305th GroupGeissen12 x 500
      2493rd GroupFrankfurt-Rhein-Main76 x 100
    4. Lead Teams:   Spoofing Force
      LeaderMajor Leonard B. Roper
      Pilot:1st Lt. James M. Purcell
      Navigator:1st Lt. John W. Bury
      Bombardier:1st Lt. Allan B. Reed

          Biblis Force
      Leader: 1st Lt. Wendell Seacrest
      Pilot:2nd Lt. Elmer G. Johnson
      Navigator:1st Lt. Howard S. Love
      Bombardier:1st Lt. Leonard L. Schuler

  2. Narrative     (Spoofing Force)
    1.  Squadron and Group Assembly: The twenty-six aircraft comprising the Spoofing Force made good the assembly over the Kings Cliffe buncher at the briefed altitude of 7,000 feet.
    2.  Route Over England: The briefed route was closely followed over England. A delayed take-off due to fog had made it impossible to reach the briefed points at the previously planned times. The formation, however, flying in three-ship elements, was able to make good the briefed points after allowing for the delay in take-off.
    3.  Division Assembly Line: There was no Division Assembly. Departure from the coast was made from Clacton at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Close contact with Cycle Relay [A radio message relay station] was maintained. In accordance with the instructions of Cycle Relay, a turn to the left of the briefed course was made in mid-channel and bombs were dropped at 52°23'N - 02°55'E [Mid-Channel, 49 miles ESE of Lowestoft, England]. It would have been impossible to have continued the briefed route to the target and attacked as had previously been planned.
    4.  Flight to Target: After releasing its bombs in the channel, the formation took up a direct heading toward Felixstowe. After crossing the coast, the formation flew directly to base, only to find the weather conditions such that the ships could not land. The formation was diverted to Ridgewell and landed there at 1719.
  3. Narrative     (Other Attacking Aircraft)
    1.  Targets Attacked: Sixteen aircraft of this group flew a High Squadron and two aircraft flew in the Lead Squadron (384th Group). The High Squadron attacked the airfield at Biblis, Germany while the two aircraft flying with the Lead Squadron followed it on the attack on Kaiserlautern. Three aircraft flew with the 401st Group and attacked Koblenz, Germany. Two aircraft flying with the 493rd Group attacked Frankfurt-Rhein-Main. Two aircraft flying with the 91st Group attacked Merzhausen, Germany. One aircraft flew with the 457th Group and attacked Koblenz. Merzhausen was attacked by one aircraft flying with the 303rd Group. Geissen was attacked by one aircraft flying with the 305th Group and by one flying with the 306th Group.
    2.  Diversion Bases: Due to the extremely bad weather in the area of the base, it was impossible to permit any of the aircraft to land at base. As a result, all aircraft were diverted, forty-seven (47) landing at Ridgewell, five (5) at Knottishall, and one (1) each at Downham Market, Debach, and Castle Camp.
    3.  Description of the Bombing Run: The target at Biblis was attacked by the 351st High Squadron flying on the Lead Squadron composed of aircraft of the 384th Group and two ships from the 351st Group. The High Squadron attacked the assigned primary, with the Squadron lead bombardier performing his own sighting operation. The briefed turn was made at the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run]. Air speed on the bomb run was slowed to 140 in order to stay behind the lead squadron. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was not used.
    4.  Comments: No aircraft were lost. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Reports from the aircraft attacking the various targets indicated the flak was generally moderate and accurate. Good visual bombing conditions prevailed over all of the targets bombed by this group. All bombing was done visually and what PFF aircraft were used, were used as navigational aids. Fighter support on this mission was generally good.

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


Statistical Summary:
94th “C” COMBAT BOMB WING FORMATION
Flew withFlew withFlew withFlew withFlew withFlew withFlew withFlew withFlew with
351st Group384th Group401st Group493rd Group91st Group457th Group303rd Group306th Group305th GroupTOTALS
No. of A/C Failing to Take Off0000000000
No. of A/C Airborne2618322111155
No. of A/C Airborne Less Unused Spares2618322111155
No. of A/C Sorties2618322111155
No. of A/C Attacking018322111129
No. of A/C Not Attacking260000000026
Name of Primary TargetSpoof MissionBiblis, Ger.Frankfurt-
Rhein-Main
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary Target16218
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs320 x 250# GP76 x 100# GP320 x 250# GP
76 x 100# GP
Name of Secondary TargetKaiserlautern
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target22
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs40 x 250# GP40 x 250# GP
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.)Koblenz,
Germany
Merzhausen,
Germany
Koblenz,
Germany
Merzhausen,
Germany
Geissen, GerGeissen, Ger
(A) No. of A/C Attacking T.O.3211119
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs17 x 500# Gp
24 x 100# GP
23 x 500# GP12 x 500# GP12 x 500# GP11 x 500# GP12 x 500# GP87 x 500# GP
24 x 100# GP
No. of A/C Lost - Total0000000000
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
Time of Attack - 14471517150714501517145014521452
Average Time of Flight -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 
Altitude of Release - 26,000’25,000’26,000’22,000’25,000’22,200’22,500’22,500’
Visual or PFF - VisualVisualVisualVisualVisualVisualVisualVisual
Enemy Resistance – AA Intensity & AccuracyNoneMeager & AccurateModerate & AccurateModerate & AccurateMeager & AccurateMeager & Accurate
Enemy Resistance – Fighter000000000
Enemy Resistance – Bombers000000000
U.S. A/C Engaged by Enemy Aircraft000000000
Degree of SuccessNonePoorUnobservedGood ResultsGood ResultsGoodVery GoodGoodGood
PFF Aircraft44-837442-9768742-97701
44-8376
44-8358
42-97651
44-8079
44-8045
44-8455

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


To: CGBOMWIG NINE FOUR (ATTENTION: COLONEL ROMIG)
FROM: COBOMGR 351 D387E 24 DECEMBER, 1944, PRIORITY: T.O. 1115
  1. A/C [Aircraft] scheduled for operations on 24 December, 1944 which failed to take off.
    1. A/C L-7515, 510th Sq., pilot Lt. Haskins was scheduled as a special spare for mission of 19 December. This is a new crew and not fully operational and it is the policy of this group to have these new crews fly as special spares to gain experience. Due to inclement weather at base (A/D [Airdrome] was red) this aircraft was diverted to Colerne (RAF [Royal Air Force] Station). On 23 December, this group tried to get its aircraft back to base, but due to a ground fog setting in quickly, all aircraft were diverted and this crew landed at Keevil. The pilot called up today and stated that his crew was short a bombardier and Ball Turret Gunner, therefore, PAC VOCO 351st BOMB GROUP this crew and aircraft were scrubbed. The regular Bombardier and Ball Turret Gunner were hospitalized, therefore, did not accompany crew on flight of 19 December.
    2. A/C Z-7696, 509th Sq., pilot Lt. Hammond was scheduled for mission of 19 December, 1944 and due to inclement weather at base and per instructions of CBW [Combat Bomb Wing] aircraft of this group were diverted to Colerne. This is an RAF base and facilities are meager for supplying American crews and aircraft. The base did not have a supply of oxygen or bombs to prepare this aircraft for the mission of 24 December, 1944, therefore, this crew and aircraft were scrubbed.

      --- END BURNS COBOMGR 351 ---

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


[The message below is referring to fighter groups.]

FROM UOQ 1745A
TO OIPNT CG 8TH AF ATTN COL. JAMES

PASS TO COL SULLIVAN
---------------------
     OAKLAND SUMMARY - FO [Field Order] 1446A - Dec 24, 1944
  1. A/C [Aircraft] scheduled for operations on 24 December, 1944 which failed to take off.
    1. Bombers of 1st ATF [Airborne Task Force] about 8 minutes late crossing in. 2nd and 3rd ATF also a little late. Flew courses well and in good formation. 78th and 339 GPs held on ground. 56 Gp take-off set back 35 mins 355 came in at 1530, E/A [Enemy Aircraft] nil. Other groups made R/V's [rendezvous] OK. Most of them early on Nuthouse instructions. 357B Gp in 1st 3 boxes of 1st ATF and 357A on last 6, as instructed before take off. This left coverage of front of 1st ATF pretty thin early in mission due to groups coming in behind bombers and not planning to catch up until R/V.
      Due to Hostile activity Nuthouse had to re-shuffle some of the groups to get coverage. 56 Group had to be put on close escort of 1st 6 boxes when 357B and 55 withdrew just after target. 20A pulled off of 2nd ATF to provide Target support to 3rd ATF with 361. Other A Groups put in 3rd target area after their own bomber were well out. 352 put on support of 1st AF.
      Hostile attacks were concentrated on Vinegrove 1-1 and 1-2 [351st Call Sign was Vinegrove 2-11.] and took place SW of Leige as bombers were coming in, before scheduled R/V's [rendezvous]. Y had reported hostiles airborne in Dusseldorf-Cologne-Bonn area and we had tracks on them. All were low [altitude] on TAC [Tactical] missions. We also had many tracks in the Malmedy-St. Vith area but they were supposedly friendly. Also down at 10,000. 2 tracks pickes [sic] up W of Bonn at 22.000 headed SW, one going south to Luxemburg and then north to bombers getting up to 30,000.
      357 and 55 had not made R/V yet when we warned of the stuff in Mallmedy area and asked 55 to get up with Vinegrove 1-1 and 1-2 until 357 got there. Both groups were just coming alongside first boxes of bombers when they sighted the E/A [Enemy Aircraft].
      Both Groups engaged. E/A making at least 2 passes at bombers. 353A pulled up front and 479A 353 vectored to interception of hostils [sic] from south and in front of bombers. 479 Group arrived too late to engage. North of Frankfurt 357A vecored [sic] to interception of hostiles, chasing them toward Kassel.
      All other hostiles were concentrated in Dusseldorf area. All on Tac [Tactical] Missions - several groups vectored in area but most of the E/A fled north before actual combat with our groups. 359 in combat. R/T good. Tracking Goodm [sic]
           ---Rohnstedt---




Lead Bombardier’s Narrative:
Date - 24 Dec., 1944   This Group's High Sqdn. Flew With 390th Bomb GP (H)
Squadron or Group - High Sqdn.
Target - A/D [Airdrome] at Beblis, Germany
  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? Squadron performed own sighting operation.
  3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes
  4. Cloud coverage and visibility. No Clouds, but ground haze and flying into the sun made visibility difficult.
  5. If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? No MPI [Mean Point of Impact] was assigned.
  6. Any Interference on Bomb Run? Air Speed was slowed to 140 in order to stay behind Lead Squadron.
  7. Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? C-1 pilot was not used.
  8. Any other factors affecting accuracy? None
  [Signed] Leonard L. Schuler, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Combat Bombing Flight Record:

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Schuler, Leonard L.
Pilot - 1st Lt. Secrest, Wendell
Navigator - 2nd Lt. Love, Howard S. Jr.

Aircraft B-17G   M-900  Take-off - 0951 Landed - ____
Objective - A/D [Airdrome] at Biblis, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - North East part of Field.
Initial Point - 50°17'N - 09°42'E (As Briefed)
Method of Attack - Squadron
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 15   Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: ONE
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: One   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____   Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 20 x 250-Lb. AN-M57 G.P. [General Purpose]
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - On

Information at Release Point:

Altitude of Target - ____Magnetic Heading Ordered 235° Actual 215°
True Altitude Above Target - 25,020’True Heading 229°
Indicated Altitude - 26,000Drift, Estimated 2° Right - Actual 9° Right
Pressure Altitude of Target -209True Track 238°
Altimeter Setting 29.92Actual Range 15376
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 140KBomb Sight Type - M-9 [S/N] L-3698
True Air Speed - 212KTime of Release 1447½
Ground Speed Est. 294 Actual 246Length of Bombing Run - 90 sec.
Wind Direction Metro - 60° Actual - 77°Intervalometer Setting - 100 Feet
Wind Velocity Metro 69 Actual 86 C-1 Pilot[Autopilot] ____
D.S. - 123.8  Trail - 86   ATF - 42.38A-5 Pilot _____
Tan. D.A, Est. .62 Actual .52 Manual Pilot - X [Used]

Type of Release - Train 100'
Point of Impact If Seen - North East Part of Field
Mean Temp. Metro ___ Actual ___
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 60°  Actual 77°  Velocity - Metro 69  Actual 86
Temp C. - Metro -39° C. Actual -41° C.



Preliminary Damage Assessment:
  1. This report is based on incomplete reports and full information on the position of the camera ships is still lacking. Approximately sixteen of our A/C attacked the landing ground at Biblis, Germany (49°41'N - 08°30'E). There was no assigned MPI [Mean Point of Impact] and the purpose of the mission was to post-hole the field.
  2. The bombs of the formation hit in woods and open fields approximately 900 feet from the NW corner of the field. The pattern covers an area 6168 feet by 3598 feet and little or no damage is done.
  [Signed:] Thomas L. Cooper, Captain, Air Corps, Group P.I. [Photo Intelligence]


Narrative Teletype Report:
  1. No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
  2. Sixteen a/c [aircraft] of this group flew a high squadron and two a/c flew in the lead squadron of a composite Group which bombed Biblis a/f [airfield] in Germany. The high squadron dropped its entire load on the a/f in an effort to post-hole the field. Based on incomplete reports results of this bombing are poor with the main pattern falling to the northwest of the field. The two a/c flying with the lead squadron went on with that squadron to bomb the secondary at Kaiserslautern M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard]. There are no photographs of this bombing but visual observations indicate good results. Eight of our a/c were scheduled to fly with a group from Deenethorpe and three of these a/c plus one a/c of this Group which took off from Honington bombed the M/Y's at Koblenz with that Group. Results of this bombing were unobserved because of smoke in the area. There are no photographs. The other 5 a/c joined other groups when they were unable to form with Deenethorpe and bombed the following targets: three on Merzhausen a/f with apparently very good results as per visual observations; and two on Giessen a/f also with reported good results. There are no photographs of this bombing. Two of our a/c flew with the 493rd Bomb Group and bombed the Frankfurt-Rhein-Main A/F with good visual results reported.
  3. No enemy a/c were encountered and no claims [of enemy a/c being shot down] are being submitted.
  4. The first flak encountered by our crews who flew to Biblis was reported as scatttered along the line from 50°20'N 05°50'E [Fosse, Belgium] to 50°13'N 06°21E [Herscheid, Germany]; it was meager and accurate. There were various reports of moderate accurate flak in the area Spa-Odighe-Julich. Moderate accurate flak was encountered at Zell and Koblenz. There was meager fairly accurate flak at Giessen and at the target (Biblis). Intense accurate flak was encountered in the vicinity of Worms and North Mannheim. On the way out moderate accurate continuous following was encountered along a line beginning in the vicinity of Kaiserslautern and continuing approximately to 49°05'N 07°42'E. Our planes that bombed Koblenz encountered meager to moderate accurate flak at the target.
  5. Good visual bombing conditions prevailed over all of the targets bombed by this group.
  6. There are no observations of military importance at this time.
  7. All bombing was done visually and what PFF a/c were used, were used as navigational aids. Since none of our a/c led formations which bombed targets no contact was made with the Scouting Force. Fighter support for this mission was generally good. None of our a/c was lost from the day's operations.


Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge



Mission Summary Report:
  1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
    1. None
  2. Battle Damage:
    1. Airplane No. 44-6566, 509th Squadron. Flak hole on right side of #4 nacelle causing engine to catch fire and necessitating engine change. (Major).
    2. Airplane No. 43-37595, 509th Squadron. Flak hole on underside of left outer wing panel damaging skin, corrugation, control cables, turbo wiring and spar. Flak damage on underside of right inner wing panel damaging skin, corrugation and main fuel tank.
    3. Airplane No. 43-37957, 510th Squadron. Seven flak holes through right outer wing panel damaging skin, corrugation, spars, tokio tanks and bulkheads. Flak hole on underside of left inner wing panel damaging skin, corrugation and fairing. Flak skin hole in bottom of #4 nacelle, left side of dorsal fin, top of LH stabilizer, and top of #2 nacelle, (Major).
    4. Airplane No. 43-37862, 510th Squadron. Flak damaged #1 propeller dome causing engine to lose oil and fail internally. (Major).
    5. Airplane No. 42-97216, 510th Squadron. Flak hole through left side of #1 nacelle damaging intercooler, skin, throttle and propeller control cables. (Minor).
    6. Airplane No. 42-97687, 511th Squadron. Flak hole in top of right outer wing panel damaging skin and corrugation. Flak nicked #4 propeller. (Minor).
    7. Airplane No. 44-6802, 511th Squadron. Flak skin hole in bottom of fuselage forward of ball turret. Flak hole in top of left outer wing panel causing skin and corrugation damage. (Minor).
    8. Airplane No. 43-38650, 511th Squadron. Flak hole on left side of fuselage, aft of waist window, causing skin and former damage. (Minor).

    TOTAL A/C DAMAGEDMAJOR DAMAGEMINOR DAMAGEBY FLAK
    844
  [Signed:] John W. Freeman, Captain, Air Corps, Group Engineering Officer


“J” Form:
  1. Last Four numbers and Call Letter of A/C in each Squadron:
    a. 94th Combat Wing "C" Group   Lead Squadron - 351st Group
    Sqdn 508th A/C: (PFF Z–8376),
    Sqdn 509th A/C: U–8591
    Sqdn 510th A/C: (PFF V–8079), T–8461, R–1714, F–7124, L–7515, M–9001, S–7512
    Sqdn 511th A/C: (PFF L–8045, Z–7687), Q–8080

    b. 94th Combat Wing "C" Group   Low Squadron - 351st Group
    Sqdn 508th A/C: (PFF U–8374), O–8277, B–7349, C–8753, D–8405
    Sqdn 509th A/C: (PFF B–7701), C–8640
    Sqdn 510th A/C: (PFF Y–7651),
    Sqdn 511th A/C: J–6579, C–8694, N–8592, H–8435

    c. 94th Combat Wing "C" Group   High Squadron - 351st Group
    Sqdn 508th A/C: Y–6108
    Sqdn 509th A/C: (PFF A–8358), G–6078, (Q–8116 Spare)
    Sqdn 510th A/C: None
    Sqdn 511th A/C: (PFF O–8455), B–8691, A–8428, U–7381, F–7705, X–6802, K–8585, P–2676, G–8070
  2. Target: GU-4393
  3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:
    Squadron508 [Call Sign]W/T TQZ R/T CARLTONSquadron510 [Call Sign]W/T NDL R/T TIPSTAFF
    Squadron509 [Call Sign]W/T RAN R/T HOTMINTSquadron511 [Call Sign]W/T RMV R/T PARTNERSHIP
  4. Taxi – 1015; Take-Off – 1030; E.T.D. Field – 1030
  5. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
    120710,000 Ft Clacton
  6. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
    123915,000 Ft Ostend [Belgium]
  7. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
    15528,000 Ft 51°20'N-02°59'E [7 miles NE of Ostend, Belgium]
  8. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
    16175,000 Ft Felixstowe
  9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1652 Hours
  10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "G"
  11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    Lead Squadron: 12 [Planes] 12 x 500 Mark 12 Navy Bomb - 1/100 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    Low Squadron: 12 [Planes] 12 x 500 Mark 12 Navy Bomb - 1/100 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    High Squadron: 13 [Planes] 12 M17 IB's [Incendiary Bombs] 35.51 [Fuse]
    ___ Squadron:
  12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2700 Gallons
  13. Leaders:
    Lead Sqdn: Rank & Name: Major Roper A/C No & Sqdn. (PFF Z-8376) (508)
    Low Sqdn: Rank & Name: Lt. Angelini A/C No & Sqdn. (PFF B-7701) (509)
    High Sqdn: Rank & Name: Capt. D.S. Anderson A/C No & Sqdn. (PFF A-8358) (509)
  14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None
  15. [The handwritten list below was included in the mission documents. Because of inclement weather at Polebrook, the planes below had landed at other bases after the Mission of 19 December. Since that date they had not been able to fly back to Polebrook so they took off from where they were for the mission of the 24th of December, 1944.]

    #Plane #PilotBase
    1Z-816Polebrook
    2Z-687Lt. GreyDeenethorpeFlew with 401st BG Deenethorpe
    3M-001Lt. GottschalkPolebrook
    4X-802Lt. ZimmermanDeenethorpe
    5U-591Lt. WhittakerHonington
    6L-515Lt. HaskinsKeevil[Did not fly on mission because 2 crew members missing.]
    7S-512Lt. MillerDeenethorpe
    8Q-080Lt. BelmeyerPolebrook
    9R-714Lt. RossenDeenethorpe
    10T-461Lt. CarlePolebrook[Did not fly on mission.]
    11B-701Lt. AngeliniDeenethorpeFlew with 91st BG bombed Marzhausen
    12U-374Lt. TrappPolebrook
    13L-045Capt. Anderson, P.G.Glatton
    14D-405Lt. CoulamPolebrook
    15N-592Lt. KnightPolebrook
    16C-654Lt. WalkerDeenethorpe
    17B-349Lt. SullivanDeenethorpe
    18C-753Lt. CrutcherDeenethorpe
    19Q-116Lt. BarkerPolebrook
    20H-435Lt. LenzePolebrook
    21G-078Lt. SchwartzPolebrook
    22C-640Lt. ClaggettDeenethorpe
    23A-358Capt. Anderson, D.S.Polebrook
    24O-455Lt. RobinsonPolebrook
    25A-428Lt. McNamaraPolebrook
    26K-585Lt. HadleyPolebrook
    27O-277Lt. ArmstrongPolebrook
    28B-691Lt. JohnsonPolebrook
    29F-705Lt. LangdonPolebrook
    30U-381Lt. KasperPolebrook
    31Y-108Lt. AshtonPolebrook
    32G-070Lt. TaylorPolebrook
    33P-676Lt. FoxPolebrook
    34Y-651Lt. PowellPolebrook
    35V-079Lt. CutlerPolebrook
    36J-579Lt. MuellerPolebrook
    37T-384Lt. Della-CioppaFramlingham


Report Compiled By Shepard, M/Sgt.



Formation Chart:
94th "C" Combat Bomb Group - Lead Squadron Formation at Take–Off
510th Squadron
Roper–Purcell
A/C 44-8376 Z PFF
Anderson, P.G.
A/C 44-8045 L PFF
Gray
A/C 42-97687 Z PFF
Belmeyer
A/C 43-38080 Q
Cutler
A/C 44-8079 V PFF
Carle
A/C 43-38461 T*
Rossen
A/C 42-31714 R
Whittaker
A/C 43-38591 U
Dinning
A/C 42-107124 F
Miller
A/C 43-37512 S
Haskins
A/C 42-37780 G**
Gottschalk
A/C 43-39001 M
[* - Failed Takeoff.  ** - Did not fly because two crew members missing.]

94th "C" Combat Bomb Group - High Squadron Formation at Take–Off
511th Squadron
Anderson, D.S.
A/C 44-8358 A PFF
Schwartz
A/C 44-6078 G
Robinson
A/C 44-8455 O PFF
Johnson
A/C 43-38691 B
McNamara
A/C 43-38428 A
Kasper
A/C 42-97381 U
Langdon
A/C 43-37705 F
Zimmerman, J.W.
A/C 44-6802 X
Hadley
A/C 43-38585 K
Ashton
A/C 44-6108 Y
Barker
A/C 43-38116 Q Spare
Fox
A/C 42-102676 P
Taylor
A/C 43-38070 G


94th "C" Combat Bomb Group - Low Squadron Formation at Take–Off
509th Squadron
Angelini
A/C 43-97701 B PFF
Armstrong
A/C 43-38277 O
Trapp
A/C 44-8374 U PFF
Sullivan
A/C 42-97349 B
Powell
A/C 42-97651 Y PFF
Mueller
A/C 44-6579 J
Crutcher
A/C 43-38753 C
Walker
A/C 43-38694 C
Knight
A/C 43-38592 N
Coulam
A/C 43-38405 D
Claggett
A/C 43-38640 C
Lenze
A/C 43-38435 H


Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 1100 BST [British Standard Time]  Briefing: Enlisted Men 0600; Officers 0630 Stations: 0955 Start Engines: 1005 Taxi: 1015 Take-Off: 1030  Leave Base: 1030 [Breakfast: Enlisted Men 0500; Officers 0530]

[Wounded On Mission: 0]
The above records were obtained at the National Archives Records Administration and have been declassified by authority NND 745005
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