BRIEFING OUTLINE
BRIEFING OFFICER: (IMPORTANT): READ SPECIAL BRIEFING POOP
TARGETS:
Visual Primary and GH target for today is: M/Y [R.R. Marshalling Yard] - Cologne [Germany]
PFF Primary: Leipzig [Germany] RY [Rail Yard] Traffic Center
Tertiary: Chemnitz [Germany] M/Y
PFF Secondary: ____
Last Resort: Any M.O. [Military Objective] identified east of Bomb Line.
TIMINGS:
Zero Hour:
- 1030
Stations:
- 0900
Start Engines:
- 0910
Taxi:
- 0930
Take Off:
- 0945
Last Take Off:
- 1055
Target Time:
- 1352
ETR [Estimated Time of Return]:
- 1826
Depart English Coast at:
1126
at Felixstowe
LOADINGS:
Gasoline:
2,780 Gallons
Bombs:
All A/C: 18 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose] & 2 M-17
Intervalometer Settings: Visual – 30' – H2X - 130 FT.
Chaff: Commence discharge of chaff at - 10min. before target for 15 min.
Each A/C [Aircraft] will carry - 360 units.
Disposition of Forces:
3 Divisions will be dispatched. The 1st Air Division will depart England 3rd preceded by 2nd Division and followed by the 3rd Division.
1st Division will dispatch ____ CBW's of ____ Groups each.
The order of attack in the 1st Division will be:
Lead
1st
Attacking
Leipzig
2nd
41st
Attacking
Leipzig
3rd
94th
Attacking
Leipzig
4th
40th
Attacking
Leipzig
2nd Division targets are
____
3rd Division targets are
____
Fighter Cover: 1 Gps. of P-51's Close support plus area support.
Assembly:
Lead at
7,500'
feet on
Kings Cliffe
Buncher
Red-Green
Flares
High at
8,500'
feet on
Kings Cliffe
Buncher
Green-Green
Flares
Low at
6,500'
feet on
Kings Cliffe
Buncher
Red-Red
Flares
401st at
_____
feet on
_____
Buncher
_____
Flares
457th at
6,000'
feet on
Glatton
Buncher
Red-Yellow
Flares
Combat Wing Assembly Line: Halesworth to Felixstowe
Division Assembly Line: Felixstowe to 51°20’N-01°50’E - 51°13’N-02°55’E
1 minutes interval between Groups.
Reference altitude: 24,000
Call Signs:
351st
Woodcraft Baker (Maj. Roper)
401st
_____
457th
Woodcraft Able
1st Div. Air Commander
Col. Daily
94th CBW Air Commander
Major Peresick
Navigator - _____
S-2 - _____
Weather - _____
Communications - _____
Flying Control - _____
Special Instructions:
a. Type of Bombing Formation - Group - PFF Sqdn. - Visual
b. Bombardier and Navigator of the #3 A/C of each sqdn. report to Photo Lab.
c. Camera A/C: M-964, G-954, C-753
return at Continental coast out[bound]
d. Spares to turn back at 05°00' East.
e. PFF A/C fly as Group Lead, Group Deputy Lead, High & Low Sqdn. Lead
f. GH A/C fly as None
g. REMARKS:
Buckeye Red Scouting force to 06°00'
Buckeye Blue from 06°00' on.
Moderate to intense fighter opposition expected.
Deenethorp [401st Bomb Group] flying low section of high group for us - very good formation fliers.
BRIEFING OFFICER: HAVE YOU READ SPECIAL BRIEFING POOP??
[Extra Target Notes:]
The target constitutes one of the largest and most important R.R. Traffic Centers in Germany with extensive locomotive repair facilities, goods sidings, and warehouses.
Tertiary of Chemnitz contains large railway workshops facilities and machine tool plants has many direct lines running east and west.
Operational Narrative – 94th “C” CBW:
Date of Mission - 27 February, 1945.
Target Attacked: The secondary target at Leipzig, Germany, was attacked by PFF methods.
Force: 94th “B” Group. Thirty aircraft, including four PFF Ships, were dispatched. The 401st Group supplied nine aircraft and crews, six of which attacked, and
three, scheduled as flying spares, returned as planned.
Position: The 94th “B” Group flew in its briefed position as the eighth group in the Division Formation.
Lead Teams
Group Lead
Air Commander:
Major Mortimer L. Korges
Pilot:
Captain Norman A. Trapp
Navigator:
1st Lt. John C. Talbott
Bombardier:
Captain Robert E. McFarlane
High Squadron
Leader:
Captain Frank H. Wilcox
Pilot:
2nd Lt. Arthur R. Leibrock
Navigator:
2nd Lt. Rolland X. Madsen
Bombardier:
1st Lt. Jack P. Austin
Low Squadron
Leader:
Captain Jay H. Maish
Pilot:
2nd Lt. Paschel M. Huff
Navigator:
1st Lt. Melvin L. Ouder
Bombardier:
1st Lt. Mart G. Smith Jr.
Narrative.
Squadron and Group Assembly: The assembly was carried out over the Kings Cliffe buncher at an altitude of 9,500 feet, 2,000 feet over the briefed height. The
weather ship had recommended 8,500 feet for the assembly altitude but the Group Leader found that the Low Squadron would encounter difficulty with clouds at that altitude
and so moved it up to 9,500 feet.
Route Over England: Departure from the assembly point was made 30 seconds late (1048½). The briefed route was followed with little divergency and no difficulty
was encountered in getting behind the 94th “A” Group. Felixstowe, the briefed departure point from the English coast, was reached at the briefed altitude of 11,500 feet
1½ minutes late (1127½).
Division Assembly Line: The Division Column was followed in crossing the channel. As the departure from the coast was made, the 379th Group swung ahead of the
94th “B” and got into the Division Column behind the 94th “A” Group. At mid-channel, the 379th Group pulled out of the Division Column on one side and the 94th “A” pulled
out on the other. The 379th Group then took up its proper position ahead of the 94th “A” in the Formation. This put the 94th “B” in its briefed position as the eighth
group in the Division Formation.
Flight to Target: The Belgian coast was crossed to the right of the briefed point at the briefed altitude of 11,500 feet. Variances from the briefed route,
which were slight, were necessary in order to stay in the Division Column. Before reaching the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run], the 94th “B” flew inside of the briefed
route in order to decrease the interval between itself and the 94th “A”. The IP used was slightly to the south of the briefed point. It was reached at the briefed altitude
of 26,500 feet.
Description of Bombing Run: The secondary target was attacked at Leipzig, Germany. Bombing was done in group formation, all aircraft dropping on the lead ship.
The briefed turn was not made at the IP. The target was completely overcast. No interference was encountered on the bomb run. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] functioned
satisfactorily.
Flight From Target: After bombing, the 94th “B” followed the Division Column on the withdrawal. The sharp turn to the left was not made, as the preceding
groups were cutting it short. The formation was inside of the briefed turn after the target, but soon contacted it by following the preceding groups. The 94th “B”
flew to the right of the Division Column and of the briefed course in the area of Brussels. The intervals between groups at that point was small and hindered the let-down
procedure. The 94th “B” let-down to the right of the Division Column and departed from the Belgian coast left of the briefed point at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The
formation gradually closed in to the briefed route on the flight across the channel and crossed the English coast at the briefed point, Felixstowe, at an altitude of
10,000 feet. The formation followed the briefed route to base, which was reached at an altitude of 2,000 feet and 23 minutes early (1803). The High and Low Squadrons
went to their respective stand-off areas before landing. A normal let down procedure had been followed.
Fighter Support: Very good. Appeared as briefed.
Comments: No aircraft were lost. Flak at the target was meager and inaccurate. Ten-tenths clouds prevailed en route and over the target area. The Weather
Scouting Force was contacted and relayed a correct report of the weather conditions at the target.
The 401st Group furnished the 94th “B” with nine aircraft and crews. Six were scheduled to fly in the High Squadron, while three were dispatched as flying spares. One
of the six aircraft attacked with the 94th “A”, while the other five remained in formation with the 94th “B”. The three flying spares returned as planned.
Aircraft Not Attacking: Nil.
[Signed] Carl C. Hinkle, Jr, Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer
STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
DIVISION FIELD ORDER NUMBER 642
351st Bombardment Group
Lead Squadron
High Squadron
Low Squadron
TOTALS
Borrowed Aircraft
0
0
0
0
No. of Aircraft Failing to Take Off
0
0
0
0
No. of Aircraft Sorties
12
6
12
30
No. of Aircraft Airborne Less Unused Spares
12
6
12
30
No. of Aircraft Credit Sorties
12
6
12
30
No. of Effective Sorties
12
6
12
30
No. of Non-Effective Sorties
0
0
0
0
Name of Primary Target
LEIPZIG, GERMANY (Visual)
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary Target
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Secondary Target
LEIPZIG, GERMANY (PFF)
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target
12
6
12
30
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
210 x 500# GP 24 x 500# IB
106 x 500# GP 12 x 500# IB
214 x 500# GP 24 x 500# IB
530 x 500# GP 60 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 MIA - Total
0
0
0
0
No. of A/C MIA - Flak
No. of A/C MIA - Flak and E/A
No. of A/C MIA - Enemy Aircraft
No. of A/C MIA - Accident over Enemy Terr.
No. of A/C MIA - Other and Unknown
Time of Take Off
0942
0943
0944
Time of Attack
1359
1359
1359
Total Time for Mission
100:36
50:32
101:55
253:03
Altitude of Release (Indicated)
26,500’
27,000’
26,500’
Visual, H2X, Gee-H, M-H, Eagle, or Combination
H2X
H2X
H2X
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
Number of Passes made by Enemy Aircraft
0
0
0
0
Degree of Success
RESULTS UNOBSERVED
Non-Effective Sorties
0
1
0
1
(A) Weather
(B) Personnel
0
1
0
1
(C) Enemy Action
12
12
13
37
(D) Other Non-Mechanical
12
11
13
36
(E) Mechanical and Equipment
12
11
13
36
Incidents of Mechanical & Equipment Failure:
0
0
0
0
(A) Engine
(B) Oil System
(C) Fuel System
(D) Supercharger
(E) Propeller and Governor
(F) Communication System
(G) Guns and Turrets
(H) Bomb Release
(I) Bombay Doors
(J) Electric System
(K) Instruments
(L) Oxygen Equipment
(M) Bomb Sights
(N) A/C in General
Comments
____ A/C borrowed as follows: None
____ A/C loaned as follows: None
Nine aircraft and crews were furnished by the 401st Group. Five attacked with the High Squadron as scheduled. One flew with the 457th Group, and the three flying spares
returned as planned.
[Lead Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Leipzig 27 February, 1945
Flight Plan and Log attached.
Track Chart attached.
Narrative.
T/O at 0939 hours.
Group formed at 1028 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 9,500 feet.
Wing assembly was completed at 1115 hours at Halesworth.
Route over England was (not) flown as briefed.
Methods of Navigation over England. Mickey [Radar], Gee and Radio.
Division formation was joined at 1127½ hours at Felixstowe.
Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was (not) flown as briefed.
Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee and Mickey
BOMB RUN.
Actual I.P. was not as briefed.
True heading over target. 125.
Actual Drift 2° Right.
Altitude over Target 26,500.
Time Bombs Away 1359.
Wind used for bombing 291°/32 knots.
Method of target identification. PFF
Difficulties on bomb run. None
Weather over Target. 10/10ths.
Axis of withdrawal 085°
Group rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
Wing rally was accomplished at 51°17'N 12°48'E at 1405 hours.
Division rally was accomplished at 51°05'N 12°58'E at 1407½ hours.
Flight home was was (not) as briefed.
Methods of navigation on return route. Mickey, Gee and Radio.
Winds aloft were (not) called out to the formation.
Fighter rendezvous' were (not) as briefed.
PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT.
Mickey [Radar]: Good
Gee: OK
Radio Compass: OK
Fluxgate: OK
Other Equipment OK
[Signed:] J.C. Talbot, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, Lead Squadron
Lead Bombardier’s Narrative:
Date - 27 Feb. 1945
Field Order # 642
Squadron or Group - Lead Sqdn., 94th CBW "A" Group
Target - M/Y [R.R. Marshalling Yard] at Leipzig, 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? Bombing was in Group Formation on the Lead; Low's M.H.
[Magnetic Compass Heading] was 127° and High's was 132°. Time of Release was 1359 hours.
Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes
Cloud coverage and visibility. 10/10
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? No
[Signed] Robert E. McFarlane, Capt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier
Combat Bombing Flight Record:
I certify that this 12E Form is complete and accurate.
[Signed] Warren C. Steitz, Captain, Air Corps, Group Bombardier.
Lead Squadron, 94th "A" Group
Bombardier - Capt. McFarlane, Robert E.
Pilot - Maj. Korges, M.L. & Capt. Trapp, N.A.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Talbott, John C.
Aircraft B-17G V-079 Take-off - 0739 Landed - 1800
Objective - Leipzig, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - M/Y - PFF
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Bombing was in group formation on the lead sqdn.
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 36 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 - 14 x 250 Lb. G.P.[General Purpose] & 2 x 500 Lb. I.B.'s, Markers
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10 Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point: Low's M.H. [Magnetic Heading] was 127° and High's was 132°
Altitude of Target - ___
Magnetic Heading Ordered 119° Actual 131°
True Altitude Above Target - 26,710
True Heading 125°
Indicated Altitude - 26,500
Drift, Estimated 1° Right - Actual 2° Right
Pressure Altitude of Target -100
True Track 127°
Altimeter Setting 29.92
Actual Range 17,583'
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 150K
Bomb Sight Type - M-9
True Air Speed - 234K
Time of Release 1359
Ground Speed Est. 310 Actual 244K
Length of Bombing Run - 41 N.M. [Nautical Miles]
Wind Direction Metro - 300° Actual - 291°
Intervalometer Setting - 30'
Wind Velocity Metro 65K Actual 32K
C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] - X [Used]
D.S. - 119.5 Trail - 98 ATF - 44.33
A-5 Pilot _____
Tan. D.A, Est. .658 Actual .63
Manual Pilot - ____
Type of Release - Train 30'
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved - PFF
Mean Temp. Metro -10 Actual -10
Winds - Altitude - 26,000 Ft. Direction - Metro 300° Actual 291° Velocity - Metro 65K Actual 32
Temp C. - Metro -31° C. Actual -37° C.
Tail Gunners Report:
Date - 27 Feb. 1945
Name - Belardine, M.J., 1st Lt.
Squadron - 509
Leave Buncher: No. of A/C [Aircraft] - Lead 13, High 13, Low ____.
A/C at Enemy Coast: Lead 13, High 13, Low 13.
Spares Returned - Lead 12:25, High 12:26, Low 12:27.
Abortives - None
Spares Filling In: No of A/C - ____ Position - None
Remarks: Formation after
Fighter Escort - Time Sighted: ____
Flak: Estimated No. of Guns - ____
Position from you - ____
Time - ____
Accuracy - ____
Remarks on Formation - ____
Bombs Away: A/C Releasing Late - ____
A/C Releasing Early - ____
Remarks - ____
A/C in trouble: ____
[Enemy] Fighter Tactics Report - Time of Attacks - ____
Number of E/A [Enemy Aircraft] - ____
Type of Attacks - ____
Number of Passes - ____
Type of E/A - ____
Remarks - ____
Turrets not searching - ____
Narrative Teletype Report:
No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
The three squadrons of this group formed the 94th “B” CBW and bombed in group formation by PFF methods our Secondary target, the railway M/Y [Marshalling Yard] at
Leipzig, Germany. Continuous 10/10 clouds prevented any chance of photo coverage. Mickey Operators report that the city stood out as briefed on their scope returns
and they estimate bomb impact to be within the target area.
No E/A [Enemy Aircraft] were encountered and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
The only flak throughout the mission was in the target area, where it was meager, about 8,000 feet low and to the south of our formation.
10/10 clouds prevailed en route and over the target area.
There are no observations of military importance to report.
The PFF equipment employed in the lead A/C [Aircraft] of the three squadrons worked well, while the deputy lead of the lead squadron went out before the target. Fighter
support was very good and appeared as briefed. The Scouting Force was contacted and radioed a correct report of weather conditions in the target area. The B-24 aiding
in the special battery fire control mission was observed by this group but weather conditions prevented any opportunity of viewing front-line flak installations. None
of our A/C are missing.
Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge
“J” Form:
Last Four numbers and Call Letter of A/C in each Squadron:
a. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group Lead Squadron - 351st Group
Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
Lead Squadron: 18 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 & 2 M-17 I.B.'s
Low Squadron: 18 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 & 2 M-17 I.B.'s)
High Squadron: 18 x 250 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40 & 2 M-17 I.B.'s
___ Squadron:
Fuel Load of each A/C: 2780 Gallons
Leaders:
Lead Sqdn: Rank & Name: Major Korges A/C No & Sqdn. V-8079 PFF (511)
Low Sqdn: Rank & Name: Capt. Maish A/C No & Sqdn. O-8455 PFF (511)
High Sqdn: Rank & Name: Capt. Wilcox A/C No & Sqdn. G-8374 PFF (511)
Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
None
Report Compiled By I.C. Muesing, S/Sgt.
Formation Chart:
94th "B" Combat Bomb Group - Lead Squadron Formation at Take–Off and Over Target
509th Squadron
Korges–Trapp
A/C 44-8079 V PFF
Johnson, E.G.
A/C 43-38920 O
Coulam
A/C 44-8774 Z PFF
Taylor-Potter
A/C 43-38666 T
Quinn
A/C 44-8617 G
Russell
A/C 44-6156 R
Wefel
A/C 43-37696 Z
Maddux
A/C 42-102955 L
Mueller
A/C 44-6566 F
Gattens–Maggiard
A/C 43-38640 C
Sorenson (401st BG)
A/C 42-97395 F Spare
Hampton
A/C 42-97169 N
Thompson
A/C 43-37964 M
[Lt Sorenson, the flying Spare from the 401st BG, returned as planned.]
94th "B" Combat Bomb Group - High Squadron Formation at Take–Off and Over Target
508th Squadron
Wilcox–Lebrock
A/C 44-8374 U PFF
Kale
A/C 44-6108 Y
Wisdom
A/C 43-38813 U
Steele (401st BG)
A/C 44-6313 F
Glazier
A/C 42-97349 B
May (401st BG)
A/C 44-6156 R
Carey (401st BG)
A/C 43-38862 N
Dunn
A/C 43-38753 C
Ryan
A/C 42-97258 P
Grimm (401st BG)
A/C 44-6146 R
Ayre (401st BG)
A/C 42-97931 A Spare
Berneburg (401st BG)
A/C 42-102468 C
Moran (401st BG)
A/C 42-107113 J
[Lt Ayre, the flying Spare from the 401st BG, returned as planned.]
94th "B" Combat Bomb Group - Low Squadron Formation at Take–Off and Over Target
510th Squadron
Maish–Huff
A/C 44-8455 O PFF
Haskins
A/C 42-38038 P
Haft
A/C 42-97216 U
Oakes
A/C 44-6610 B
Blaney
A/C 43-39001 M
Bone
A/C 43-38130 K
Adams
A/C 43-38591 U
Gonske
A/C 43-38435 O
Dahlberg
A/C 43-37512 S
Brooks–Rebo
A/C 43-39020 C
James (401st BG)
A/C 43-37602 O
Oen
A/C 43-38954 G
Lawson
A/C 43-37665 N
[Lt James, the flying Spare from the 401st BG, returned as planned.]
Time Schedule: Zero Hour: 1030 BST [British Standard Time] Briefing: 0645 Stations: 0900 Start Engines: 0910 Taxi: 0930 Take-Off: 0945
Leave Base: 0945 [Breakfast: 0545]
