351st Bomb Group

1. Ask 508th, 509th and 510th Operations representatives if their crews are all present.
   
   
2. Read Special briefing poop.
   
   
3. TARGETS:
   
   1. The Visual Primary for today is: Bohlen [Germany]
   2. PFF Primary: ____
   3. Visual Secondary: ____
   4. PFF Secondary: Chemnetz [Chemnitz, Germany]
   5. Last Resort Target: ____
   
   
4. S-2 [Intelligence] Information: ____
   
   
5. Weather:
   
   
6. Time Schedule:

   Zero Hour:	- 0800		Stations:	- 0515
   Start Engines:	- 0525		Taxi:	- 0545
   Take Off:	- 0600		Last Take Off:	- ____
   Intercept Group at	____	at	____ ft.
   Target Time:	____		ETR [Estimated Time    of Return]:	____
   Depart English Coast at:	____	at ____

   
   Time on oxygen: ____ hours
   
   TIME TICK [Set your watches.]
   
   
7. Loadings:

   Gasoline:	2,780 Gallons
   Bombs:	10 x 500 G.P. 1/10 x 1/40 [Fuses]

   
   
8. Intervalometer Settings: Visual - Salvo; H2X - 50 Ft.
   
   
9. Chaff: Commence discharge of chaff at - I.P. for 8 min. - 5 min. before Target for 10 min.
     Each A/C [Aircraft] will carry - 432 units.
   
   
10. Disposition of Forces:
    
    3 Divisions will be dispatched. The 1st Air Division will depart England 2nd preceded by 3rd Division and followed by the 2nd Division.
    1st Division will dispatch 4 CBW's of 3 Groups each.
    The order of attack in the 1st Division will be:
    

    Lead	40th	Attacking	____
    2nd	1st	Attacking	____
    3rd	94th	Attacking	____
    4th	41st	Attacking	____

    2nd Division targets are	Vicinity of 5206-1139 (Magdeburg)
    3rd Division targets are	Vicinity of 5129-1353 (Schwarzheide)

    
    
11. Fighter Cover: 1 Gps. of P-51's - Close Support - Call Sign Balance 1-7.
    
    
12. Assembly:

    Lead at	7,000'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher	Red-Green	Flares
    High at	8500'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher	Green-Green	Flares
    Low at	6,500'	feet on	Kings Cliffe	Buncher	Red-Red	Flares
    401st at	6,000'	feet on	Cottesmore	Buncher	Red-Yellow	Flares
    457th at	6,000'	feet on	Glatton	Buncher	Red-Yellow	Flares

    Combat Wing Assembly Line: Bury St. Edmonds to Brentwood
    Division Assembly Line: Dungeness to 5052 - 0135.
    1 minutes interval between Groups.
    Reference altitude: 25,000'
    Bombing altitude: 26,500'
    Point for instrument let-down Kings Cliffe magnetic heading of 30 degrees.
    
    
13. Call Signs:

    351st	Woodcraft Baker
    401st	Woodcraft Charlie
    457th	Woodcraft Able
    1st Div. Air Commander	Col. Crank - Foxhole Able Lead
    94th CBW Air Commander	Capt. Dozier - Woodcraft Able Lead

    
    
14. The following ships will monitor [Radio Channels]- "B" - C-640, L-956, S-512; "C" - 8th A.F. - G-617; "C" - 67th Fighter Wing - U-591.
    Other Communications information will be found on the flimsy.
    
    
15. FLYING CONTROL: _____
    
    
16. SPECIAL ISTRUCTIONS:
     a. Type of Bombing Formation - Normal
     b. Bombardier and Navigator of the #3 A/C of each sqdn. report to Photo Lab.
     The A/C are: O-920, N-665, High - U-813
     c. Ball Turret Gunners of the following A/C report to Photo Lab: C-640, T-666, B-610, C-020, B-349, & M-900
     d. Camera A/C: K-2526, T-156, M-900
      return at  Continental Coast Out
     e. Spares to turn back at 05°00' East.
     f. PFF A/C fly as Lead & Deputy of Lead Sqdn. & Lead of High & Low.
     g. GH A/C fly ____
     h. REMARKS:  ____
     
17. You are reminded not to discuss the target. EXERCISE ALL SECURITY MEASURES.  

1. Date of Mission - 2 March, 1945.
   1. Target Attacked:  The secondary target at Chemnitz, Germany, was attacked by PFF with a visual assist.
   2. Force: 94th “B” Group. Thirty-eight aircraft, including four PFF ships and two flying spares, were dispatched.
   3. Position: The 94th “B” Group flew in its briefed position as the eighth group in the Division Formation on the route in to the target. It is believed that this was the second group in the withdrawal column.
   4. Lead Teams

      	Group Lead
      	Air Commander:	Major Carl C. Hinkle, Jr
      	Pilot:	Captain Evan A. Poston
      	Navigator:	1st Lt. Albert W. Luich
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. George H. Plaut

      
      

      	High Squadron
      	Leader:	1st Lt. Robert S. Parnell
      	Pilot:	1st Lt. J.W. Anderson
      	Navigator:	F/O William L. Bateman Jr
      	Bombardier:	2nd Lt. William P. Hearn

      
      

      	Low Squadron
      	Leader:	Captain Frank H. Wilcox
      	Pilot:	2nd Lt. Gustav H. Bochert
      	Navigator:	2nd Lt. Rolland X. Madsen
      	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Jack P. Austin

2. Narrative.
   1.  Squadron and Group Assembly: The assembly of the 94th “B” Group was carried out over the Kings Cliffe buncher at the briefed altitude of 7,500 feet. No difficulties, other than darkness, were encountered.
   2.  Route Over England: The formation departed the assembly area on time and on course. The turn at Crowland was made a little east of the briefed point, and the leg of the route from Crowland to Cambridge was flown to the left of, and parallel to, the briefed course. No difficulty was encountered by the 94th “B” Group in getting into the proper wing formation. Brentwood was reached on course and on time at the briefed altitude of 9,500 feet. The turn at Splasher #8 was cut short slightly in order to remain in the 94th Wing Formation and to arrive at the point of departure from the English coast, Dungeness, on time.
   3.  Division Assembly Line: The 94th “B” Group encountered no difficulties in the Division Assembly. Dungeness was departed at 0808 at the briefed altitude of 11,500 feet; and the flight across the channel followed the briefed route very closely. The French coast was crossed at the briefed point at the briefed altitude (11,500 feet) and one minute late (0817).
   4.  Flight to Target: The briefed route over the continent was followed with only minor deviations. Variances from the briefed course which did occur were the result of essing to avoid over-running the 94th “A” Group. Throughout the mission, the 94th “B” Group had some difficulty in remaining in formation behind the 94th “A”, and similarly, the 94th “C” experienced the same difficulty in over-running the 94th “B”. When first contacted, the Weather Scouting Force reported that the primary target was overcast, but that a visual run might be possible by the time the formation had reached the target. However, when a second report that the primary was overcast, was received, the 94th “A” Group decided to bomb the secondary, and the 94th”B” did likewise.
   5.  Description of Bombing Run: The 94th “A” Group overshot the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] which had been briefed for the secondary, and in order not to cut that group off on its bombing run, the 94th “B” also overshot the IP. However, the 94th “C” apparently made good its turn at the briefed IP, and produced the affect of the three groups converging on the secondary target almost simultaneously. A group from another combat wing added to the confusion as it approached the target from yet another angle. Bombing was done in group formation, with the lead ship making a PFF sighting with a visual assist. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was not used. Prior to bombs away, the 94th “C” Group kept crowding the 94th “B” to the right, which forced the “B” Group to make a sharp left turn in order to compensate for drift which it had been unable to kill. The “C” Group, as well as the “A”, had bombed prior to the 94th “B”. The briefed turn at the IP had not been made.
   6.  Flight From Target: After the sharp left turn at the target, the 94th “B” Group proceeded to the briefed withdrawal route directly, as it could not have made the briefed turn to the right after the target without danger of running into other groups which were going on to bomb the primary target. On the withdrawal, the 94th “B” was proceeded [sic] by an unidentified group which had also bombed the secondary target, and followed by the other two groups of the 94th Combat Wing. The formation generally followed the briefed route, letting down to an altitude of 24,500 feet shortly after the target. Over France, the formation let down further due to the shortage of fuel experienced by most aircraft. The French coast was crossed at the briefed point at an altitude of 6,000 feet. The briefed point of entry into England was not used. Rather, a more direct course to base had been chosen in order to conserve fuel. 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. No flak or enemy aircraft were encountered. Weather en route was seven to eight-tenths until 6° East, and from that point on, eight to ten-tenths cloud cover prevailed. The target area was covered by eight-tenths clouds. The Weather Scouting Force was contacted and furnished the necessary information.
      
      Four aircraft landed on the continent to refuel before proceeding to base. Three ships landed at other bases in England, two because of mechanical difficulties, and the other due to a fire in the tail section.
   9.  Aircraft Not Attacking: One aircraft failed to attack. The two scheduled flying spares returned as planned.

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0555 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0705 hours on Kings Cliffe buncher at 7,500 feet.
   3. Wing assembly was completed at 0722 hours at 5238 0009E.
   4. Route over England was (not) flown as briefed. 
   5. Methods of Navigation over England. Pilotage.
   6. Division formation was joined at 0808 hours at 5052 0059E.
   7. Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was (not) flown as briefed. 
   8. Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee, Pilotage and Mickey.
   9. BOMB RUN.
      1. Actual I.P. was not as briefed. 5028 1238E
      2. True heading over target. 300.
      3. Actual Drift 2° Right.
      4. Altitude over Target 26,500.
      5. Time Bombs Away 1026½.
      6. Wind used for bombing 295°/72 knots.
      7. Method of target identification. Mickey & Pilotage
      8. Difficulties on bomb run. Deenthorpe [401st Bomb Group] and other groups cut in front but were clear at Bombs Away.
      9. Weather over Target. 6/10ths
      10. Axis of withdrawal 260° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
   10. Group rally was accomplished at - Bombed in Group Formatin
   11. Wing rally was accomplished at 50°35'N 11°38'E at 1054½ hours.
   12. Division rally was accomplished at Not Observed at ____ hours.
   13. Flight home was was (not) as briefed. 
   14. Methods of navigation on return route. Pilotage and Mickey
   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: Out on return
       3. Radio Compass: OK
       4. Fluxgate: OK
       5. Other Equipment OK

1. Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)?  Combined
2. 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, High's M.H. [Magnetic Compass Heading] was 307°, Low's was 314°. Bombs were released at 1026 hours.
3. Was turn made at briefed I.P.? No (50°28' 12°38')
4. Cloud coverage and visibility. 5/10 - 8-10
5. If Visual, when was MPI identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? PFF with visual assist by triangulation
6. Any Interference on Bomb Run? See reverse side.
7. Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? C-1 pilot was not used
8. Any other factors affecting accuracy? None

Lead Squadron, 94th CBW "B" Group Bombardier - 1st Lt. Plaut, George H.
Pilot - Major Hinkle, C.C. & Capt. Poston, E.P.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Luich, Albert W.

Aircraft B-17G   X-468  Take-off - 0555 Landed - 1520
Objective - Chemnitz, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As Briefed
PFF with Visual Assist. Initial Point - 50°28' 12°38'
Method of Attack - Bombing was in Group Formation on the Lead
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 - 10 x 500 Lb. AN-M43 G.P.[General Purpose] & Markers
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - On

Information at Release Point:  High's M.H. [Magnetic Compass Heading] was 307°, Low's was 314°.

Type of Release - Train 50'
Point of Impact If Seen - In target area
Mean Temp. Metro -20.5 Actual -14
Winds - Altitude - 26,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 300°  Actual 295°  Velocity - Metro 90  Actual 72
Temp C. - Metro -46° C. Actual -36° C.

1. The three squadrons of this group attacked as a secondary target the Railway Marshalling yard at Chemnitz, Germany. Photo cover is incomplete as clouds and haze obscure the target area.
2. There is some ground detail visible from time to time during the bomb fall, but an accurate plot cannot be made. The target can be identified, and the smoke markers indicate that the main concentration will fall within the central part of the city, slightly south of the briefed MPI [Mean Point of Impact]. Damage should be heavy.

1. No leaflets were carried by this Group.
2. The primary target, Bohlen, Germany, could not be bombed because of 10/10 cloud cover. The secondary, Chemnitz, was bombed in group formation by PFF with a visual assist just before bombs away. The Mickey [Radar] fix at bombs away puts the impact in the western built up area of the city. Photos show the target area obscured by clouds. No bursts are seen on the ground, but some ground detail identifies the target. Smoke markers indicate that the bombs will fall into the central city area.
3. No E/A [Enemy Aircraft] were encountered and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
4. Approximately 7 inaccurate bursts of flak were encountered in the target area. At the front lines near Kyllburg, there were about 8 bursts of which only two were accurate. In the Frankfurt area there were about 4 accurate bursts. On the way back from the target, there were 5 accurate bursts at Plauen, moderate flak was observed in the vicinity of Jena, and there were 6 fairly accurate bursts at Wiesbaden.
5. Weather en route to the target was 7-8/10ths to 6 °E and then 8-10/10ths to the target and the target area was 8/10ths.
6. Two vessels were observed at 5221 0248 and 5122 0249 at 1022 hours; they were awash and sunk with wreckage and oil slick in the vicinity. A rescue boat was nearby and a life raft was also visible. An SOS was sent by radio operator and receipted by MF/DF.
7. Pathfinder units were employed for bombing and navigational aid. Three of the four sets worked well and the fourth set blew a fuse and tubes at take-off and was out for the remainder of the mission. Fighter support was good. The Scouting Force was heard from and was effective. Three of our a/c landed away from base; T-666 landed at Kimbolton because of fire in the tail, the crew is safe; Q-116 landed at Detling with two engines out, the crew is safe; G-862 landed at Alconbury with #4 engine out and the crew is safe. Two a/c, L-955 and P-907 landed at B-53 [Merville, France] because of shortage of fuel but has since refueled and returned to base.

    509th Squadron:
A/C 640-C: We had trouble holding formation at altitude; air speed seemed to be pretty fast. – Lt. Wefel.
A/C 252-K: Have no colors of day on a/c and danger areas are not marked on map. – Lt. Brennan.

    510th Squadron:
A/C 465-A: At bombing range N. of field, there were practice bombs dropping all around us. Either they should stop when we are coming back, or else we should steer clear of the place. – Lt. Williams

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 44-6156, 509th Squadron, returned early as planned.
   2. Airplane No. 43-38591, 509th Squadron, returned early. Pilot stated the oxygen system from the radio room back began rapidly losing oxygen. When aircraft landed, system was checked and pressure remained constant. System was refilled to 410 PSI and no leak could be discovered. Oxygen was left in system for three hours and inspection then showed no reduction in pressure.
   3. Airplane No. 43-37705, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned.

1. PILOT'S STATEMENT:
   1. Reason for abortive Flying Spare
   2. Place and altitude 50°18'N 05°00'E 19,500'
   3. Time 0904
   4. Position in formation Spare
   5. Disposition of bombs B.B. [Brought Back]
   6. Remarks Full Formation pretty good.
   7. Time & Date dispatched ____
     (Pilot's Signature) Warren Y. Hampton

1. PILOT'S STATEMENT:
   1. Reason for abortive Loss of Oxygen from radio room back.
   2. Place and altitude 50°00'N 06°14'E 20,000'
   3. Time 0912 hrs.
   4. Position in formation No 2 Lead of low in Lead Sqdn.
   5. Disposition of bombs returned
   6. Remarks O₂ on right waist dropped to 150# and while refilling walk around bottle from left waist the filler hose valve stuck and system lost approximately 10# per min.
   7. Time & Date dispatched ____
     (Pilot's Signature) William T. Whittaker

1. PILOT'S STATEMENT:
   1. Reason for abortive Flying Spare
   2. Place and altitude ____
   3. Time ____
   4. Position in formation ____
   5. Disposition of bombs ____
   6. Remarks ____
   7. Time & Date dispatched ____
     (Pilot's Signature) [No Signature]

1. 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: C–8640, G–8617, L–2955, M–7964, O–8920, P–6907, Q–8116, T–8666, U–8591, (R–6156 Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: P–2676
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (J–8468 PFF), (U–8374 PFF),

   
   

   b. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group   Low Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: F–6566
   Sqdn 510th A/C: A–8465, B–6610, C–9020, G–7862, H–8280, L–7515, M–9001, N–7665, S–7512, T–9156, (V–7705 Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (L–8045 PFF)

   
   

   c. 94th Combat Wing "B" Group   High Squadron - 351st Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: A–8410, B–7349, C–8753, D–6082, G–8954, H–8412, K–8130, L–7956, M–7900, U–8813, X–6579
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (A–8358 PFF)

2. Target: GQ-1514
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T SMC R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T TOS R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T NQM R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T LWS R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. Taxi – 0545; Take-Off – 0600; E.T.D. Field – 0600
   

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   0807	11,500 Ft	Dungeness

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   0816	11,500 Ft	50°52'N-01°35'E [Le Sodit, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1457	11,500 Ft	50°52'N-01°35'E [Le Sodit, France]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1521	8,000 Ft	Beachy Head

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1630 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    Lead Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40
    Low Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40
    High Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P. - 1/10 x 1/40
    ___ Squadron:
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2780 Gallons
    
13. Leaders:
    Lead Sqdn: Rank & Name: Major Hinkle A/C No & Sqdn. J-8468 PFF (511)
    Low Sqdn: Rank & Name: Capt. Anderson A/C No & Sqdn. L-8045 PFF (511)
    High Sqdn: Rank & Name: Capt. Wilcox A/C No & Sqdn. A-8358 PFF (511)
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None

Report Compiled By Grasmehr, S/Sgt