28 Dec. 1944 Target: Rheinbeck M/Y

Group Mission #248

Credited Mission #241

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DATE: 28 Dec. 1944

Target: R.R. Marshalling Yard, Rheinbeck, Germany
Bombed Secondary Target, R.R. Marshalling Yard at Koblenz

Briefing Outline:

1. TARGETS:
2. Visual Primary: Rheinbeck [Germany] M/Y [R.R. Marshalling Yard]
3. PFF Primary: Koblenz
4. Visual Secondary: Koblenz
5. PFF Secondary: Koblenz M/Y
6. Last Resort: Any military target 20 miles East of the Tactical Bomb Line.

TIMINGS:
Zero Hour:	- 1030
Stations:	- 0925
Start Engines:	- 0935
Taxi:	- 0945
Take Off:	- 1000
Target Time:	- ____
ETR [Estimated Time of Return]:	- ____

Gasoline 2,500 Gallons

LOADING:
Lead -	18 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 – 1/40 [Fuses] & 2 x M-17 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bombs]
High -	18 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 – 1/40 [Fuses] & 2 x M-17 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bombs]
Low -	18 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 – 1/40 [Fuses] & 2 x M-17 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bombs]
Composite -	___

Intervalometer Settings: Visual – Salvo. P.F.F. – 30 FT.
Chaff: All A/C [Aircraft] to carry 360 units commence release at 06°00'E & continue for 15 mins.

Disposition of Forces	[Bomb Group]	Target
"A" Gp. in 94 CBW [Combat Bomb Wing]	401	Rheinbeck
"B" Gp. in 94 CBW	351	Rheinbeck
"C" Gp. in 94 CBW	___
1 Div. Lead	40 CBW
2nd CBW	41 CBW
3rd CBW	1st CBW
4th CBW	94 CBW
2nd Div.	36 Squadrons
3rd Div.	14 Grps.

PFF A/C to fly as: Lead in each Squadron.
GH A/C to fly as deputy in Lead Sqdn.
REMARKS:
Stress Formation
Interval between Groups – 2 minutes.

Fighter Cover: 6 Gps. of P-51’s.
Other Forces: scouting Force - 6 P-51's Buckeye Blue [Call Sign] 20 minutes ahead; Screening Force 16 P-51's - 2 Mos.

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: Clacton to 52°00’N-02°00’E [28.5 miles East of Felixstowe] to 51°13’N-02°55’E [Ostend, Belgium]

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 - C-694, High - C-640, Low - M-900 (Pick up hand cameras)
c. Camera A/C N-592, F-711, H-280
to return at Continental Coast.
d. Spares to turn back at Continental Coast.
e. REMARKS: ETR [Estimated Time of Return] 1544

BREAK!! PILOT’S STAY!

CALL SIGNS:

	CALL SIGN	FLARES	NAME
351st	Woodcraft B - Baker	Normal	Col. Carraway
401st	Woodcraft A - Able	Normal	Capt Lewis
457th	Woodcraft
1st Div. Air Commander
94th CBW Air Commander	B - Baker		Col. Carraway

Fighters	Balance 3
Bombers	Vinegrove 3-10
Grnd. Control	701 - Colegate; 714 - Mohair

Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
C.P. 1 - Clacton		F - Koln
C.P. 2 - 51°13’N-02°55’E		I - Koblenz
[Ostend, Belgium]		C - Frankfurt
C.P. 3 - 50°16’N-05°15’E		H - Mannheim
[4.5 miles NW of Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium]		T - Trier
_____		E - Metz
_____		R- Saarbrucken

Remarks: Reference Altitude: 22,000’

Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
1. Channel “A” - All except the following:
2. Channel “B” - U-381, F-124, G-567
3. Channel “C” - 67th F.W. [Fighter Wing] X-802
4. Channel “C” - 8th A.F. [Air Force] F-705
5. Channel “D” - All available
FLYING CONTROL:
1. Runway on Take Off. ___
2. Expected Runway on return. ___
3. Emergency Airfields on Continent. ____

Operational Narrative

Date of Mission - 28 December, 1944.

Target Attacked: The secondary target at Koblenz, Germany was attacked by PFF Methods.
Force: 94th "B" Group. Thirty-eight aircraft, including two PFF ships, one GH aircraft, and two flying spares, were dispatched.
Position: Briefed and flew as tenth group in the First Division Formation.

Lead Teams

	Group Lead
	Air Commander:	Lt. Col. John B. Carraway
	Pilot:	Captain Lewis J. Maginn
	Navigator:	1st Lt. Billy V. Gwyn.
	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Allan D. Behrendt.

	High Squadron
	Leader:	1st Lt. Francis W. Gray
	Pilot:	2nd Lt. John Z. Miller
	Navigator:	1st Lt.. William A. Mars
	Bombardier:	2nd Lt. Elmer W. Kreeger

	Low Squadron
	Leader:	1st Lt. Joseph S. Angelini
	Pilot:	1st Lt. William C. Kniering
	Navigator:	1st Lt. Elmer T. Nelson
	Bombardier:	1st Lt.. Harold E. Akers

Narrative.
1. Squadron and Group Assembly: The assembly was carried out as planned at the Kings Cliffe buncher at the briefed altitude of 11,000 feet.
2. Route Over England: The assembly area was departed on course. Holbeach was reached one minute late (1122). The 94th "B" Group got into position behind the 94th "A" Group without difficulty. The turn at Splasher #6 was cut short in following the 94th "A" Group. This maneuver was necessary to save time and to arrive at the departure point from the English coast on time. The briefed route was contacted at Colchester (1147) and was followed to the departure point (Clacton).
3. Division Assembly Line: Departure from Clacton was made at an altitude of 15,000 feet, the briefed altitude, but in following the preceding group, the 94th "B" Group flew to the right of the briefed course. As a result, the 94th "B" Group reached the briefed point of entry at the Belgian coast two minutes early (1217) after having departed the English coast one minute late (1151). The Belgian coast was crossed 500 feet below the briefed altitude of 20,000 feet.
4. Flight to Target: Immediately inside of the Belgian coast, the formation made a divergency [sic] to the right of course in following the 94th "A" Group which flew to the south of course, apparently mistaking groups seen to the right as part of the task force. However, a return to the briefed course was made in the vicinity of Brussels.
  
  The GH ship, which was flying deputy lead, took over the 94th "B" Group at 50°38’N-04°08’E [18 miles SW of Brussels, Belgium] eighteen minutes before the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was reached. It was immediately determined that the GH equipment was inoperative, and so the lead aircraft resumed its original position, and led the formation to the IP. The briefed IP was reached at 1257 - nine minutes late - at the briefed altitude of 22,000 feet. Due to the fact that the GH ship was inoperative, the decision had been made to attack the secondary target at Koblenz by PFF methods. The IP used for the bombing run on Koblenz was located at 50°25’N-06°30’E. This point was reached at 1314.
5. Description of Bombing Run: The secondary target at Koblenz, Germany, was attacked by PFF methods. The Lead Squadron performed its own sighting operation. The High Squadron dropped on the smoke markers of the Lead Squadron. The turn at the briefed IP was not made. The briefed IP, however, was not used for the bomb run on Koblenz. The target was completely overcast. No interference was encountered on the bomb run. The C-1 Pilot [autopilot] functioned satisfactorily. The Low Squadron performed it own sighting operation. The briefed IP was reached, but not used. No interference was encountered on the bomb run. The C-1 Pilot functioned satisfactorily. The High Squadron Leader was not at first aware of the fact that the PFF ship had retaken the Group Lead position before the briefed IP was reached. As a result, he was unable to get in trail behind the Low Squadron when bombing by PFF was to be carried out.
  
  The Lead Squadron increased its altitude to 23,000 feet before bombing in order to get behind and below a preceding group attacking the same target. The Low Squadron did not make a corresponding increase in altitude with the Lead Squadron on the bomb run.
6. Flight From Target: The target had been attacked at 1327, fifteen minutes later that [sic] the briefed time for the primary target. The altitude of attack was 23,000 feet, 1,000 feet above the briefed height. After bombing, the 94th "B" Group made a turn to the right and proceeded directly to the briefed route. It was contacted at 50°13’N-06°21’E [1 mi SW of Sellerich, Germany]. From that point to the Belgian coast, the variance from the briefed course was negligible. The Belgian coast was crossed to the right of the briefed course at 1447, three minutes late, at an altitude of 3,000 feet. Before reaching the coast, preceding formations had been observed letting down under the cloud cover. The 94th "B" Group followed this procedure and hence found it necessary to cross the coast 4,000 feet below the briefed altitude. The English coast was crossed to the left of the briefed point (Felixstowe) nine minutes late (1521) at an altitude of 2,000 feet. The High and Low Squadrons went to their respective stand-off areas before landing. A normal let-down procedure had been followed.
7. Fighter Support: Good.
8. Comments: No aircraft were lost. Aircraft 43-38567, pilot Lt Buttell, was seen dropping back in the formation on the bomb run with one engine smoking. This aircraft reported that it would attempt to land in France, and has since been reported as having landed at Strip B-61 [Landing Strip B-61 - Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Belgium Located: 51°01′36″N 03°41′22″E.]. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Meager and inaccurate flak was encountered in the target area. There were ten-tenths clouds in the target area, and nine-tenths enroute [sic]. The Weather Scouting Force was contacted and the information received was correct and helpful.
9. Aircraft Not Attacking: There were no failures to attack. The two flying spares returned as planned.

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

Statistical Summary:

	351st BOMB GROUP 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	12	12	12	36
No. of A/C Attacking	12	12	12	36
No. of A/C Not Attacking	0	0	0	0
Name of Primary Target
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary Target
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Secondary Target	KOBLENZ, GERMANY
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target	12	12	12	36
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs	212 x 250# GP 24 x 500# IB	213 x 250# GP 24 x 500# IB	211 x 250# GP 24 x 500# IB	636 x 250# GP 72 x 500# IB
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	0754	0955	0957
Time of Attack	1327	1327	1326½
Average Time of Flight	6:02	6:15	6:23
Altitude of Release	22,550’	23,450’	21,156’
Visual or PFF	PFF	PFF	PFF
Enemy Resistance – AA Intensity & Accuracy	MEAGER and INACCURATE
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	RESULTS UNOBSERVED

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

GH AIRCRAFT	POSITION
824	Lead Squadron	(From 384th Group)
PFF AIRCRAFT
42-97701	Lead Squadron
44-8358	High Squadron
44-8376	Low Squadron

[Lead Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Rheinbach, 28 December, 1944

Flight Plan and Log attached.
Track Chart attached.
Narrative.
1. T/O at 0954 hours.
2. Group formed at 1100 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 11,000 feet.
3. Wing assembly was completed at 1130 hours at 52°38'N 00°19'W [5.3 miles NW of Peterborough, England].
4. Route over England was not flown as briefed. Turned inside Splasher No. 6 to maintain Wing formation.
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. Sixteen miles right of course after Ostend [Belgium]. Was maintaining Wing formation on "A" Group.
8. Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee, Pilotage and mickey [Radar] and DR [Dead Reckoning].
9. BOMB RUN.
  1. Actual I.P. was (not) as briefed. No I.P. given for secondary; used IP for visual target and started run at 50°25'N 06°30'E [2.7 miles NW of Dahlem, Germany].
  2. True heading over target. 98°.
  3. Actual Drift -11.
  4. Altitude over Target 23,000.
  5. Time Bombs Away 1327.
  6. Wind used for bombing 345°/43 knots.
  7. Method of target identification. PFF
  8. Difficulties on bomb run. None
  9. Weather over Target. Overcast at 20,000'.
  10. Axis of withdrawal 86°
10. Group rally was accomplished at 50°23'N 07°50'E [10.5 miles W of Limburg, Germany] at 1330 hours.
11. Wing rally was accomplished at Not [accomplished] at ____ hours.
12. Division rally was accomplished at Not [accomplished] at ____ hours.
13. Flight home ~~was~~ was not as briefed. Swung south around Koblenz back to briefed route. Did not go to Wisbech on return but came in from 5226N 0011E.
14. Methods of navigation on return route. Gee, DR [Dead Reckoning], Pilotage and Mickey [Radar].
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:] William P. Cosgrove, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, Lead Squadron

[High Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Rheinbach, 28 December, 1944

Flight Plan and Log attached.
Track Chart attached.
Narrative.
1. T/O at 0957 hours.
2. Group formed at 1045 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 11,000 feet.
3. Wing assembly was completed at ____ hours at ____.
4. Route over England was ~~not~~ flown as briefed.
5. Methods of Navigation over England. Pilotage, DR [Dead Reckoning] and Gee.
6. Division formation was joined at ____ hours at ____.
7. Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was (not) flown as briefed. 20 miles right of course on route to target due to CBW track.
8. Methods of Navigation to the I.P. DR [Dead Reckoning], Mickey [Radar], Pilotage
9. BOMB RUN.
  1. Actual I.P. was ~~not~~ as briefed.
  2. True heading over target. 96°.
  3. Actual Drift -10.
  4. Altitude over Target 24,000.
  5. Time Bombs Away 1327.
  6. Wind used for bombing 350°/40 knots.
  7. Method of target identification. ___
  8. Difficulties on bomb run. Group formation - VHF messages never received.
  9. Weather over Target. 10/10ths.
  10. Axis of withdrawal 176°
10. Group rally was accomplished at Target 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, DR [Dead Reckoning] and Mickey [Radar].
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:] William A. Mars, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, High Squadron

[Low Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Rheinbach, 28 December, 1944

Flight Plan and Log attached.
Track Chart attached.
Narrative.
1. T/O at 0957 hours.
2. Group formed at 1050 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 11,000 feet.
3. Wing assembly was completed at ____ hours at ____.
4. Route over England was ~~not~~ flown as briefed.
5. Methods of Navigation over England. Gee and Pilotage.
6. Division formation was joined at ____ hours at ____.
7. Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was (not) flown as briefed. 15 miles right of course. Wing formation.
8. Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee, Pilotage and Mickey [Radar].
9. BOMB RUN.
  1. Actual I.P. was ~~(not)~~ as briefed.
  2. True heading over target. 89°.
  3. Actual Drift -10.
  4. Altitude over Target 21,300.
  5. Time Bombs Away 1326½.
  6. Wind used for bombing 25°/35 knots.
  7. Method of target identification. Mickey [Radar]
  8. Difficulties on bomb run. None
  9. Weather over Target. Undercast complete.
  10. Axis of withdrawal 96°
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, Mickey [Radar], 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:] Elmer T. Nelson, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, Low Squadron

Lead Bombardier’s Narrative:
Date - 28 Dec. 1944
Field Order # 590
Squadron or Group - Lead Sqdn., 94th CBW "B" Group
Target - Marshalling Yards at Coblenz [Koblenz], Germany

Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)? PFF
Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation? Lead Squadron performed own PFF sighting operation with the High Squadron dropping on the Lead Squadron on a Mag. [Magnetic Compass] heading of 103° at 1327 hours.
Was turn made at briefed I.P.? No (50°25'N 06°30'E)
Cloud coverage and visibility. 10/10 Cloud Coverage.
If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? PFF
Any Interference on Bomb Run? None
Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? Yes
Any other factors affecting accuracy? None

Combat Bombing Flight Record:

Lead Squadron, 94th CBW "B" Group Bombardier - 1st Lt. Henry, Charles F.
Pilot - Lt. Col. Carraway, J.B. & Capt. Maginn, L.J.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Cosgrove, William P.

Aircraft B-17G B-701 Take-off - 0954 Landed - 1555
Objective - Marshalling Yards at Coblenz, [sic] Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - PFF
Initial Point - 50°25'N 06°30'E
Method of Attack - Squadron - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 24 Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: ____
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: One Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - __ Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 17 x 250 Lb. An-M-57 G.P.'s [General Purpose] & 2 x M-17 I.B's [Incendiary Bombs]
Number of Bombs Loaded - As above Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10 Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - On PFF

Information at Release Point:

Altitude of Target - 520		Magnetic Heading Ordered 83° Actual 104°
True Altitude Above Target - 22,550		True Heading 098°
Indicated Altitude - 23,000		Drift, Estimated 1° Right - Actual 7° Right
Pressure Altitude of Target +190		True Track 105°
Altimeter Setting 29.92		Actual Range 11,639'
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 150K		Bomb Sight Type - M-9
True Air Speed - 210K		Time of Release 1327
Ground Speed Est. 233 Actual 240		Length of Bombing Run - 48 miles
Wind Direction Metro - 270° Actual - 320°		Intervalometer Setting - 30 feet
Wind Velocity Metro 20 Actual 28		C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] - X [Used]
D.S. - 132.1 Trail - 84 ATF - 43.10		A-5 Pilot _____
Tan. D.A, Est. .54 Actual .47		Manual Pilot ____

Type of Release - 30' Train
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -10 Actual ___
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft. Direction - Metro 270° Actual 320° Velocity - Metro 20 Actual 28
Temp C. - Metro -33° C. Actual -33° C.

Lead Bombardier’s Narrative:
Date - 28 Dec. 1944
Field Order # 590
Squadron or Group - Low Sqdn., 94th CBW "B" Group
Target - Coblenz [Koblenz], Germany (Marshalling Yards)

Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)? PFF
Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation? Low Squadron made own PFF sighting operation.
Was turn made at briefed I.P.? (50°25'N 05°22'E) [17.5 miles SW of Liege, Belgium]
Cloud coverage and visibility. 10/10 Cloud Coverage.
If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? PFF
Any Interference on Bomb Run? None
Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? Yes
Any other factors affecting accuracy? None

Combat Bombing Flight Record:

Low Squadron, 94th CBW "B" Group Bombardier - 1st Lt. Akers, Harold E.
Pilot - 1st Lt. Angelini, Joseph S.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Nelson, Elmer T., Jr.

Aircraft B-17G Z-376 Take-off - 0957 Landed - 1625
Objective - Marshalling Yards at Coblenz, [sic] Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - PFF
Initial Point - 50°22'N 05°22'E [17.5 miles SW of Liege, Belgium]
Method of Attack - Squadron
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 12 Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: ____
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: One Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - __ Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 17 x 250 Lb. An-M-57 G.P.'s [General Purpose] & 2 x M-17 I.B's [Incendiary Bombs]
Number of Bombs Loaded - As above Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10 Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - On

Information at Release Point:

Altitude of Target - 520		Magnetic Heading Ordered 83° Actual 096°
True Altitude Above Target - 21,156		True Heading 089°
Indicated Altitude - 21,300		Drift, Estimated 1° Right - Actual 9° Right
Pressure Altitude of Target +190		True Track 098°
Altimeter Setting 29.92		Actual Range 11,515.37'
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 150K		Bomb Sight Type - M-9
True Air Speed - 183K		Time of Release 1326½
Ground Speed Est. 233 Actual 173		Length of Bombing Run - 48 miles
Wind Direction Metro - 270° Actual - 025°		Intervalometer Setting - 30 feet
Wind Velocity Metro 20 Actual 33		C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] - X [Used]
D.S. - 136.5 Trail - 82 ATF - 38.64		A-5 Pilot _____
Tan. D.A, Est. .548 Actual .495		Manual Pilot ____

Type of Release - 30' Train
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -10 Actual -11
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft. Direction - Metro 270° Actual 025° Velocity - Metro 20 Actual 35
Temp C. - Metro -33° C. Actual -33° C.

Narrative Teletype Report:

No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
Bombing was done by PFF methods and results were unobserved. Photographs show 10/10ths cloud cover. The target was the M/Y [R.R. Marshalling Yard] at Koblenz.
No enemy aircraft were encountered and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
Meager inaccurate flak was encountered at the target, most of it bursting about 2,000 feet below our flight altitude. No other flak was encountered or observed throughout the mission.
There were 10/10ths clouds in the target area, and 9-10/10ths clouds enroute.
Nil [No observations of military importance].
PFF units were employed for bombing and navigational aids, and the equipment worked satisfactorily. The Scouting Force was contacted and the information received was correct and helpful. Fighter support was good. Our A/C G-567 has not returned to base, and was last seen dropping back in the formation on the bomb run, with one engine smoking. One of the crews picked up a message over VHF stating this A/C would attempt to land in France.

Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge

Combat Crew Comments:

508th Squadron:
A/C Q-799: Flew too low above the water on the way back. - Lt. Galloway.
A/C O-277: Do not want British rations; would rather have chocolate bars. - Lt. Zimmerman.

510th Squadron:
A/C S-512: Somebody shot a .50 caliber into our No. 4 engine that could have hit one of the crew. - Lt. Miller

511th Squadron:
A/C H-592: Announce control points and mickey winds over VHF. - Lt. Edelman.
A/C G-070: Suggest handles be put on the boxes holding the flak suits. - F/O Lesch

[Signed:] Robert P. Ramsey, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence].

Mission Summary Report:

Abortives and Flying Spares:
1. Airplane No. 43-37964, 509th Squadron, returned early as planned.
2. Airplane No. 43-39001, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned.
Battle Damage:
1. None

[Signed:] John W. Freeman, Captain, Air Corps, Group 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: None
Sqdn 509th A/C: (B–7701 PFF), M–7964,
Sqdn 510th A/C: None
Sqdn 511th A/C: A–8428, C–8694, F–7705, G–7080, H–8435, M–8650, N–8592, P–2676, U–7381, X–8602
Sqdn 544th A/C: (U-7824 GH) 384th Bomb Group

b. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group Low Squadron - 351st Group
Sqdn 508th A/C: (Z-8376 PFF), A–8410, C–8753, D–8405, F–1711, G–8567, L–7956, M–7900, O–8277, Q–8799, Y–6108
Sqdn 509th A/C: None
Sqdn 510th A/C: None
Sqdn 511th A/C: K–8585

c. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group High Squadron - 351st Group
Sqdn 508th A/C: None
Sqdn 509th A/C: (A–8358 PFF), C–8640, G–6078, T–1384, U–8591, Z–7696
Sqdn 510th A/C: A–8465, B–6610, F–7124, H–8280, M–9001, S–7512, T–8461
Sqdn 511th A/C: None

Target: M/Y GSGS 4416 Sheet S-1

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

Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T PCZ R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T KNL R/T TIPSTAFF
Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T SAS R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T WBN R/T PARTNERSHIP

Taxi – 0945; Take-Off – 1000; E.T.D. Field – 1000
Time: Height: Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)

1150 15,000ft Clacton
Time: Height: Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)

1219 20,000ft 51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]
Time: Height: Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)

1444 7,000ft 51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]
Time: Height: Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)

1512 7,000ft Felixstowe
E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1544 Hours
MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "G"
Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
Lead Squadron: 13 A/C - 18 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 + 2 M-17 IB's
Low Squadron: 12 A/C - 18 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 + 2 M-17 IB's
High Squadron: 13 A/C - 18 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 + 2 M-17 IB's
___ Squadron:
Fuel Load of each A/C: 2500 Gallons
Leaders:
Lead Sqdn: Rank & Name: Lt. Col. J.B. Carraway A/C No & Sqdn. B-7701 PFF (509)
Low Sqdn: Rank & Name: 1st Lt. J.S. Angelini A/C No & Sqdn. Z-8376 (508)
High Sqdn: Rank & Name: 1st Lt. F.W. Gray A/C No & Sqdn. A-8358 (509)
Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
None

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
1150	15,000ft	Clacton

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
1219	20,000ft	51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
1444	7,000ft	51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
1512	7,000ft	Felixstowe

Report Compiled By D.W. Grasmehr, Sgt.

Formation Chart:

94th "B" Combat Bomb Group - Lead Squadron Formation at Take–Off & Over Target
				511th Squadron
				Carraway–Maginn A/C 42-97701 B PFF
			Hadley A/C 43-38694 C		Bunnell A/C 42-97824 U GH A/C
	Schwartz A/C 43-38435 H						McNamara A/C 43-38428 A
Butler A/C 42-97381 U		Fox A/C 42-102676 P				Langdon A/C 43-37705 F		Lambert A/C 44-6802 X
	Kasper A/C 43-38650 M						Smith A/C 43-37964 M Spare*
Rice A/C 43-38592 N		Patterson A/C 43-38070 G

* - Spare A/C returned as planned.

94th "B" Combat Bomb Group - High Squadron Formation at Take–Off & Over Target
				510th Squadron
				Gray A/C 44-8358 A PFF
			Haskins A/C 43-38640 C		Belmeyer A/C 44-6610 B
	Miller A/C 43-37512 S						Cutler A/C 44-6078 G
Gottschalk A/C 43-38461 T		Foard A/C 43-38591 U				Rossen A/C 43-37696 Z		Carle A/C 42-107124 F
	Hickel A/C 42-31384 T						Oakes A/C 43-39001 M Spare*
Lawson A/C 44-8280 H		Gonske A/C 43-38465 A

* - Spare A/C returned as planned.

94th "B" Combat Bomb Group - Low Squadron Formation at Take–Off & Over Target
				508th Squadron
				Angelini A/C 44-8376 Z PFF
			Parnell A/C 43-37900 M		Sullivan A/C 43-38405 D
	Zimmerman A/C 43-38277 O						Crutcher A/C 43-38753 C
Kale A/C 44-6108 Y		Buttel A/C 43-38567 G				Bullock A/C 44-8410 A		Galloway A/C 43-38799 Q
	Stahl A/C 43-37956 L
Wiese A/C 43-38585 K		Lenze A/C 42-31711 F

Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 1030 BST [British Standard Time] Briefing: Enlisted Men 0630, Officers 0700 Stations: 0925 Start Engines: 0935 Taxi: 0945 Take-Off: 1000 Leave Base: 1000 [Breakfast: Enlisted Men 0530, Officers 0600]

[Wounded On Mission: 0]

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351st Bomb Group

Polebrook, England

Group Mission #248

Credited Mission #241