Briefing Outline:
-
- TARGETS:
- Visual Primary: Nidda [Germany] A/D [Airdrome]
- PFF Primary: ____
- Visual Secondary: Siegen [Germany] M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard]
- PFF Secondary: ____
- Last Resort: Breitscheid [Germany] A/D [Airdrome]
-
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
-
LOADING: | |
Lead - | 10 x 500 Navy |
High - | 10 x M-17 [Incendiary Bomb] |
Low - | 10 x 500 |
Composite - | ___ |
-
Intervalometer Settings: 75' Last Resort 15 [feet]
-
Chaff: I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] for 15 min.
-
Disposition of Forces | [Bomb Group] | Target | Time of Departure |
"A" Gp. in 94 CBW [Combat Bomb Wing] | 457 | | |
"B" Gp. in 94 CBW | 401 | | |
"C" Gp. in 94 CBW | 351 | 11th in Division [Formation] | |
1 Div. Lead | 1 | | |
2nd CBW | 40 | | |
3rd CBW | 94 | | |
4th CBW | 41 | | |
2nd Div. | 583 A/C | | |
3rd Div. | 800 A/C | | |
PFF A/C to fly as: All over
REMARKS:
____
-
Fighter Cover: 10 Gps. of P-51’s.
-
Other Forces: ____
-
Assembly:
Lead at | 7,000' | feet on | Kings Cliffe | Buncher |
High at | 8,000' | feet on | Kings Cliffe | Buncher |
Low at | 6,000' | feet on | Kings Cliffe | Buncher |
401st at | 7,000' | feet on | Cottesmore | Buncher |
457th at | 7,000' | feet on | Glatton | Buncher |
Composite at | ____ | feet on | ____ | |
Combat Wing Assembly Time: ____
Division Assembly Time: 1212
- 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 - 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!
-
CALL SIGNS:
| CALL SIGN | FLARES | NAME |
351st | Woodcraft Charlie | | |
401st | Woodcraft Baker | | |
457th | Woodcraft Able | | |
1st Div. Air Commander | | | |
94th CBW Air Commander | | | Maj. Chapman |
Fighters | Balance 2-1 to 2-10 | |
Bombers | Vinegrove 2-11 | |
Grnd. Control | Colgate & Mohair | |
Control Points: | | Fighter Reference Points: |
C.P. 1 - Clacton | | S - Malmedy |
C.P. 2 - 51°13’N-02°53’E | | P - Koblenz |
[Ostend, Belgium] | | L - Cologne |
C.P. 3 - 50°35’N-05°00’E | | I - Kassel |
[Seron, Belgium] | | N - Frankfurt |
C.P. 4 - 50°25’N-06°25’E | | T - Manheim |
[4 miles N of Scheid, Germany] | | E - Karlsruhe |
_____ | | R - Trier |
Remarks: Reference Altitude: 22,000’
-
Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
- Channel “A” - All except:
- Channel “B” - V-079, B-349, A-428
- Channel “C” - 67th F.W. [Fighter Wing] Q-080, F-124
- Channel “C” - 8th A.F. [Air Force] T-461
- Channel “D” - ____
-
FLYING CONTROL:
- Runway on Take Off. 07
- Expected Runway on return. 07
- Emergency Airfields on Continent.____
Operational Narrative
-
Date of Mission - 24 December, 1944.
- Target Attacked: The following targets in Germany were attacked by one or more aircraft: Biblis, Kaiserlautern, Koblenz, Frankfurt-Rhein-Main,
Mershausen and Geissen.
- 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.
-
Force:
No. of Aircraft | Flew With | Attacked | Bombs |
26 | 351st Group | [Spoofing Force] | |
16 | 384th Group | Biblis | 320 x 250 |
1 | 457th Group | Koblenz | 12 x 500 |
2 | 384th Group | Kaiserlautern | 40 x 250 |
2 | 91st Group | Marzhausen | 23 x 500 |
1 | 303rd Group | Marzhausen | 12 x 500 |
1 | 306th Group | Geissen | 11 x 500 |
1 | 305th Group | Geissen | 12 x 500 |
2 | 493rd Group | Frankfurt-Rhein-Main | 76 x 100 |
-
Lead Teams: Spoofing Force
| Leader | Major 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 |
-
Narrative (Spoofing Force)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Narrative (Other Attacking Aircraft)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 with | Flew with | Flew with | Flew with | Flew with | Flew with | Flew with | Flew with | Flew with | |
| 351st Group | 384th Group | 401st Group | 493rd Group | 91st Group | 457th Group | 303rd Group | 306th Group | 305th Group | TOTALS |
No. of A/C Failing to Take Off | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. of A/C Airborne | 26 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 55 |
No. of A/C Airborne Less Unused Spares | 26 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 55 |
No. of A/C Sorties | 26 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 55 |
No. of A/C Attacking | 0 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 29 |
No. of A/C Not Attacking | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
Name of Primary Target | Spoof Mission | Biblis, Ger. | | Frankfurt- Rhein-Main | | | | | | |
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary Target | | 16 | | 2 | | | | | | 18 |
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs | | 320 x 250# GP | | 76 x 100# GP | | | | | | 320 x 250# GP 76 x 100# GP |
Name of Secondary Target | | Kaiserlautern | | | | | | | | |
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target | | 2 | | | | | | | | 2 |
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs | | 40 x 250# GP | | | | | | | | 40 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, Ger | Geissen, Ger | |
(A) No. of A/C Attacking T.O. | | | 3 | | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs | | | 17 x 500# Gp 24 x 100# GP | | 23 x 500# GP | 12 x 500# GP | 12 x 500# GP | 11 x 500# GP | 12 x 500# GP | 87 x 500# GP 24 x 100# GP |
No. of A/C Lost - Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 | | | | | | | | | | |
Time of Attack | - | 1447 | 1517 | 1507 | 1450 | 1517 | 1450 | 1452 | 1452 | |
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 | - | Visual | Visual | Visual | Visual | Visual | Visual | Visual | Visual | |
Enemy Resistance – AA Intensity & Accuracy | None | Meager & Accurate | Moderate & Accurate | | | Moderate & Accurate | | Meager & Accurate | Meager & Accurate | |
Enemy Resistance – Fighter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Enemy Resistance – Bombers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
U.S. A/C Engaged by Enemy Aircraft | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Degree of Success | None | Poor | Unobserved | Good Results | Good Results | Good | Very Good | Good | Good | |
PFF Aircraft | 44-8374 | | 42-97687 | | 42-97701 | | | | | |
| 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
-
A/C [Aircraft] scheduled for operations on 24 December, 1944 which failed to take off.
-
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.
-
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
-
A/C [Aircraft] scheduled for operations on 24 December, 1944 which failed to take off.
-
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 Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on 5026 0859, 24 December, 1944
- Flight Plan and Log attached.
- Track Chart attached.
-
Narrative.
- T/O at 1346 hours.
- Group formed at 1448 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 7,000 feet.
- Wing assembly was completed at 1448 hours at 7,000 feet.
- Route over England was
(not) flown as briefed.
- Methods of Navigation over England. Gee and DR [Dead Reckoning].
- Division formation was joined at ____ hours at ____ No Division Formation.
- Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was not flown as briefed. Did Not Go To I.P.
- Methods of Navigation to the I.P. ____
-
BOMB RUN. Did Not Go To Target.
- Actual I.P. was (not) as briefed. ____
- True heading over target. None
- Actual Drift ____
- Altitude over Target ____
- Time Bombs Away 1615
- Wind used for bombing 129°/32 knots.
- Method of target identification. Gee
- Difficulties on bomb run. None - Bombs Dropped In Water.
- Weather over Target. ____
- Axis of withdrawal ____
-
Group rally was accomplished at ____ at ____hours. NO Group Formation.
-
Wing rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours. NO Wing Formation.
-
Division rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours. NO Division Formation.
-
Flight home
was was not as briefed.
- Methods of navigation on return route. Pilotage, DR [Dead Reckoning] and Gee.
- Winds aloft were not called out to the formation.
- Fighter rendezvous' were not as briefed.
-
PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT.
- Mickey [Radar]: OK
- Gee: OK
- Radio Compass: OK
- Fluxgate: OK
- Other Equipment OK
[Signed:] John Bury, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, Lead Squadron
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
-
Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)? Visual
-
Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation? Squadron performed own sighting operation.
-
Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes
-
Cloud coverage and visibility. No Clouds, but ground haze and flying into the sun made visibility difficult.
-
If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? No MPI [Mean Point of Impact] was assigned.
-
Any Interference on Bomb Run? Air Speed was slowed to 140 in order to stay behind Lead Squadron.
-
Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? C-1 pilot was not used.
-
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 - 26,000 | | Drift, Estimated 2° Right - Actual 9° Right |
Pressure Altitude of Target -209 | | True Track 238° |
Altimeter Setting 29.92 | | Actual Range 15376 |
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 140K | | Bomb Sight Type - M-9 [S/N] L-3698 |
True Air Speed - 212K | | Time of Release 1447½ |
Ground Speed Est. 294 Actual 246 | | Length 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 - 42.38 | | A-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:
-
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.
-
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:
- No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
-
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.
-
No enemy a/c were encountered and no claims [of enemy a/c being shot down] are being submitted.
-
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.
- Good visual bombing conditions prevailed over all of the targets bombed by this group.
-
There are no observations of military importance at this time.
-
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:
-
Abortives and Flying Spares:
- None
-
Battle Damage:
- Airplane No. 44-6566, 509th Squadron. Flak hole on right side of #4 nacelle causing engine to catch fire and necessitating engine change. (Major).
- 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.
- 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).
- Airplane No. 43-37862, 510th Squadron. Flak damaged #1 propeller dome causing engine to lose oil and fail internally. (Major).
- Airplane No. 42-97216, 510th Squadron. Flak hole through left side of #1 nacelle damaging intercooler, skin, throttle and propeller control cables. (Minor).
- Airplane No. 42-97687, 511th Squadron. Flak hole in top of right outer wing panel damaging skin and corrugation. Flak nicked #4 propeller. (Minor).
- 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).
- 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 DAMAGED | | MAJOR DAMAGE | | MINOR DAMAGE | | BY FLAK |
8 | | 4 | | 4 |
[Signed:] John W. Freeman, Captain, Air Corps, Group Engineering Officer
The above records were obtained at the National Archives Records Administration and have been
declassified by authority NND 745005