BRIEFING OUTLINE
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Ask 508th, 509th and 510th Operations representatives if their crews are all present.
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Read Special briefing poop.
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TARGETS:
- 1. The Visual Primary for today is: Zeitz [Germany] Flak guns
- 2. PFF Primary: Plauen [Germany] Cellulose Factory
- 3. Visual Secondary: Plauen [Germany] Cellulose Factory
- 4. PFF Secondary: Weimar [Germany] Marshalling Yard
- 5. Last Resort Target: ____
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S-2 [Intelligence] Information: ____
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Weather:
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Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: | - 1300 | | Stations: | - 0810 |
Start Engines: | - 0820 | | Taxi: | - 0835 | |
Take Off: | - 0850 | | Last Take Off: | - 0920 |
Intercept Group at | A-59 [Cormeilles-En-Vexin, France] | at | 3,000 ft. | |
Target Time: | - 1421 | | ETR [Estimated Time of Return]: | - 1840 |
Depart English Coast at: | ____ | at ____ | |
Time on oxygen: 4 hours
TIME TICK [Set your watches.]
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Loadings:
Gasoline: | 2,780 Gallons | |
Bombs: |
20 x 260 Frags [Fragmentation Bombs]
Instantaneous Fusing - Nose and Tail
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Intervalometer Settings: Visual - Min. - H2X - 50 Ft.
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Chaff: Commence discharge of chaff at - 9 mins before Target - Continue for 12 minutes.
Each A/C [Aircraft] will carry - 288 units.
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Disposition of Forces:
__ Divisions will be dispatched. The 1st Air Division will depart England ____ preceded by ____ Division and followed by the ____ Division.
1st Division will dispatch __ CBW's of __ Groups each.
The order of attack in the 1st Division will be:
Lead | ____ | Attacking | ____ |
2nd | ____ | Attacking | ____ |
3rd | ____ | Attacking | ____ |
4th | ____ | Attacking | ____ |
2nd Division targets are | ____ |
3rd Division targets are | ____ |
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Fighter Cover: 1 Gps. of P-51's - per Group; 1 Group of P-51s Free Lance
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Assembly:
Lead at | 3,000 | feet on | A-59 [Cormeilles-En-Vexin, France] | Buncher | Red-Green | Flares |
High at | 4,000 | feet on | A-59 [Cormeilles-En-Vexin, France] | Buncher | Green-Green | Flares |
Low at | 2,000 | feet on | A-59 [Cormeilles-En-Vexin, France] | Buncher | Red-Red | Flares |
401st at | ____ | feet on | ____ | Buncher | ____ | Flares |
457th at | 6,000 | feet on | A-59 [Cormeilles-En-Vexin, France] | Buncher | Red-Yellow | Flares |
Combat Wing Assembly Line: at Buncher
Division Assembly Line: C1 to C4
1 minutes interval between Groups.
Reference altitude: 18,000'
Bombing altitude: 23,500'
Point for instrument let-down Kings Cliffe magnetic heading of 30 degrees.
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Call Signs:
351st | Woodcraft Able |
401st | ____ |
457th | Woodcraft Baker |
1st Div. Air Commander | Lt. Col. Ball |
94th CBW Air Commander | Lt. Col. Ball |
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The following ships will monitor [Radio Channels]- "B" - D-082, V-070, B-610; "C" - 8th A.F. - C-753; "C" - 67th Fighter Wing - O-277.
Other Communications information will be found on the flimsy.
- FLYING CONTROL: _____
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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
a. Type of Bombing Formation - By Squadrons
b. Bombardier and Navigator of the #3 A/C of each sqdn. report to Photo Lab.
The A/C are: U-813, M-964, P-038
c. Ball Turret Gunners of the following A/C report to Photo Lab: Lead Ship - F-376, M-900, N-169, C-020
d. Camera A/C: P-258, D-193, D-694
return at Coast
e. Spares to turn back at Before Enemy Lines
f. PFF A/C fly as - Lead and Deputy Lead of Lead Sqdn.
g. GH A/C fly as Lead of Low Sqdn. and High Sqdn.
h. REMARKS:
Land at B-53 [Merville, France] only.
Russian recognition signals rock wing 3 - 5 times.
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You are reminded not to discuss the target. EXERCISE ALL SECURITY MEASURES.
BRIEFING OFFICER: HAVE YOU READ SPECIAL BRIEFING POOP??
Operational Narrative.
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Date of Mission - 26 March, 1945.
- Target Attacked: The No. 2 target at Plauen, Germany, was attacked visually.
- Force: 94th “A” Group. Thirty-eight aircraft, including three H2X aircraft, one combination H2X-GH ship, and two flying spares, were dispatched.
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Position: The 94th “A” Group flew as the lead group of the First Division Formation on the flight to the target. The withdrawal was made behind the "Cowboy Able
Group.
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Lead Teams
| Division Lead | |
| Air Commander: | Lt Col Clinton F. Ball |
| Pilot: | Captain Duane S. Anderson |
| Navigator: | 1st Lt. Milton J. Morrisette |
| Bombardier: | 1st Lt. Gerald E. Traczewitz |
| Low Squadron | |
| Leader: | 1st Lt. Charles E. Daugherty |
| Pilot: | 2nd Lt. Raymond J. Works, Jr |
| Navigator: | 1st Lt. Joseph A. Glover, Jr |
| Bombardier: | Captain Wayne R. Smith |
| High Squadron | |
| Leader: | Captain Jay H. Maish |
| Pilot: | 1st Lt. Paschel M. Huff |
| Navigator: | 1st Lt. Melvin L. Ouder |
| Bombardier: | 1st Lt. Mart G. Smith |
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Narrative.
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Flight from Base to Assembly Area: The aircraft took off and proceeded individually to the assembly point (Buncher A-59) on the continent. The briefed route
was followed with little difficulty, but it was impossible to fly as high as the briefed altitude of 7,500 feet en route to the assembly area due to cloud cover and
icing. The lead aircraft arrived at the assembly point one minute early (1028) at an altitude of 3,000 feet.
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Squadron and Group Assembly: The assembly began at 3,500 feet due to building cumulus. Before the assembly was completed, the lead aircraft was forced to
fly at 5,000 feet to avoid brushing off the Low Squadron on the rapidly building cumulus. The 457th Group was also having difficulty with clouds at their assembly
altitude and were forced to hold their altitude. The assembly was completed before the planned departure time from the buncher.
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Division Assembly Line: Departure from the assembly area was made eight minutes late at an altitude of 5,000 feet. VHF communication with the weather ship
and with the Weather Scouting Force revealed that Point A could not be reached below the reference altitude (18,000 feet). Hence an additional 360° turn was made to
lose time. The briefed route was followed for a short distance after leaving the buncher, but it was soon found necessary for the formation to turn to the right and
fly to the south of course in order to avoid the worst of generally bad weather. It was necessary to ess continually in order to avoid the thicker parts of the cloud
and a fast climb was made in the hope of getting above the weather. The briefed route was crossed and paralleled to the left of course in the Luxembourg area. It
was then necessary for the formation to cross the briefed route again and fly to the right of and south of the planned route in order to avoid weather. The end of
the Division Assembly Line was reached south of the briefed point two minutes late (1302) at an altitude of 22,000 feet, 12,000 feet above the briefed height. The
94th “B” Group and “Cowboy Baker” were seen behind the Division Lead Group. “Cowboy Able” was to the north, but managed to join the formation behind the 41st “B”
Group south of Control Point #1 by cutting to the south. The 1st Combat Wing had reported that it was at least twelve minutes behind the Division schedule, and it
was planned to take advantage of course deviations in order to allow the 1st “A” to fall in later.
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Flight to Target: The formation closed into the briefed route and contacted it at Control Point #2, five minutes early (1310), at an altitude of 22,000
feet. From that point the briefed east-west leg was followed with little divergency. A double drift was necessary in order to permit the following groups to close
up their intervals. Swordfish Able was contacted and reported that he was behind the formation, but about the same number of minutes ahead of the briefed time. He
was able to join the formation a short time later. Two more double drifts were made in order to close up the formation once again. It had been necessary to climb
to 23,500 feet, but difficulty from the weather and rough air was still encountered. The Weather Scouting Force was contacted and it reported that reference altitude
plus five would be the best flying altitude. The formation decreased its altitude to that height and called the 94th “B” down also. The turn before the IP for
target #1 was reached seventeen minutes early (1339) at the briefed altitude of 23,500 feet. Weather again forced the formation to the right of the briefed course
on the flight to the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run]. The Weather Scouting Force announced that weather at No. 1 was six-tenths, and that it could not pin point the
No. 1 target. It was thus assumed that this target was not profitable. The decision was made to attack the No. 2 target. The heading of the formation at that time
would not enable it to make a turn into the No. 2 target, and so a 360° turn to the right was executed. The 94th “B” and 41st “B” Groups followed the 94th “A” in
this turn. The IP was set up at Karlsbad at an altitude of 23,000 feet. The Low Squadron had been on the inside of the 360° turn, and found that it was unable to
stay with the Lead and High Squadrons. “Small Leak Blue” the Mosquito Screening Force, was very quick to react to the change in plan, and had no trouble preceding
the 94th “A” in on its run on the #2 target.
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Description of Bombing Run: In order to insure keeping the squadrons from becoming separated with such poor rally weather, the Division Leader had
instructed them to remain in group formation. Also, the weather conditions in the area did not indicated that the target would be sufficiently open to permit
visual bombing. A mickey run was made with the Lead and High Squadrons flying a tight formation, while the low Squadron followed behind in trail after having
fallen behind as a result of the 360° turn. The Lead Squadron performed its own sighting operation and the High Squadron dropped on it. The MPI [Mean Point of
Impact] was visually identified while the formation was still ten miles from the target. The target was partially obscured by clouds, and thus, sighting was
somewhat hindered. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was not used as the air was too rough to set it up.
The Low Squadron followed the Lead and High Squadrons on the bombing run. Before the bombardier could make a proper sighting, the formation was too close to
the target. A 360° turn was executed by the squadron and a second run was made on the target. The Low Squadron performed its own sighting operation. Cloud
cover and rough air presented some difficulty; smoke from previous bombing also hindered good bombing. The C-1 Pilot was not used satisfactorily due to the
rough air.
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Flight From Target: After bombing, the Lead and High Squadrons turned to the right and flew north to the briefed rally point, as the Division Leader felt
that that would be the best way to contact the other groups of the Division Formation. Fighters were contacted and instructed to escort the Low Squadron to a
pre-arranged meeting place with the Lead and High Squadrons. It was necessary for the formation to ess through the clouds after having contacted the briefed course
northwest of the No. 1 target. The formation soon got behind Cowboy Baker which had cut across to the west, and followed it. The Low Squadron joined the formation
at that time. The briefed route was no flown closely because of the weather difficulties. The planned course was contacted at Control Point #2 at an altitude of
17,000 feet, 3,000 feet below the briefed height. From that point to the French coast, the briefed route was followed with comparatively minor divergencies. The
Weather Scouting Force recommended letting down to an altitude of 2,000 to 6,000 feet at the Rhine River. This recommendation was followed, and the formation
descended to 4,000 feet. Cycle Relay then recommended flying above the Low cloud, but could not state the altitude of the low cloud. A message from the Weather
Scouting Force, which at first recommended climbing to 10,000 feet, was received, but the ascent was not made. Shortly before reaching the French coast, the
formation again veered to the south of course, where the weather looked better. The departure from the French coast was made to the left of the briefed point at
an altitude of 3,500 feet. The formation was below the stratus at an altitude of 3,000 feet, and above cumulus which rose generally up into the bottom of the
stratus, before it finally broke out through a small opening. Definite cloud layers which the formation could fly between were found from that point on back to
base. The English coast was crossed to the left of the briefed point at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Cowboy Baker was seen crossing the English coast at the same
time to the right of the division Lead Group. The formation returned to base at an altitude of 2,000 feet, flying to the left of the briefed route. The High and
Low Squadrons were sent to their respective stand-off areas before landing.
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Fighter Support: Good. Appeared as briefed.
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Comments: No aircraft were lost. No enemy aircraft or flak was encountered. Weather conditions throughout the entire mission caused severe, turbulent
air at altitude, making assembly and flying of the briefed course difficult. Large bulging cumulus forced the formation off course at several points. The Weather
Scouting Force was contacted and furnished accurate and helpful information.
Weather conditions were such that a set altitude or heading could not be maintained for more than ten minutes at one time. Large deviations from course were
continually necessary, but not fatal, due to the fact that all units involved were together in column, including fighters, screening force, and scouting force.
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Aircraft Not Attacking: There were no failures to attack. All aircraft returned to base. The two flying spares returned early as planned.
[Signed] Robert B. Stratton, Captain, Air Corps, Statistical Officer
STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
DIVISION FIELD ORDER NUMBER
| 351st Bombardment Group |
| Lead Squadron | Low Squadron | High Squadron | TOTALS |
Borrowed Aircraft | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. of Aircraft Failing to Take Off | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. of Aircraft Sorties | 13 | 12 | 13 | 38 |
No. of Aircraft Airborne Less Unused Spares | 12 | 12 | 12 | 36 |
No. of Aircraft Credit Sorties | 12 | 12 | 12 | 36 |
No. of Effective Sorties | 12 | 12 | 12 | 36 |
No. of Non-Effective Sorties | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Name of Primary Target | ZEITE, GERMANY |
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary Target | | | | |
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs | | | | |
Name of Secondary Target | PLAUEN, GERMANY |
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target | 12 | 12 | 12 | 36 |
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs | 239 x 260# Frag | 239 x 260# Frag | 227 x 260# Frag | 705 x 260# Frag |
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 | 0855 | 0858 | 0856 | |
Time of Attack | 1407 | 1428 | 1407 | |
Total Time for Mission | 125:04 | 119:55 | 124:49 | 369:48 |
Altitude of Release (Indicated) | 23,500’ | 21,300’ | 23,500’ | |
Visual, H2X, Gee-H, M-H, Eagle, or Combination | VISUAL |
Enemy Resistance – AA Intensity & Accuracy | NONE |
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 | FAIR |
____ A/C borrowed as follows: None
____ A/C loaned as follows: None
[Lead Sqdn.] Lead Navigator’s Narrative of Raid on Plauen 26 March, 1945
- Flight Plan and Log attached.
- Track Chart attached.
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Narrative.
- T/O at 0855 hours.
- Group formed at 1122 hours on A-39 [Châteaudun, France] buncher at 4,000 feet.
- Wing assembly was completed at 1122 hours at A-39.
- Route over England was
(not) flown as briefed.
- Methods of Navigation over England. Gee, DR [Dead Reckoning], Radio and Pilotage
- Division formation was joined at 1122 hours at A-39
- Flight to IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was
(not) flown as briefed. S'ing to avoid clouds and went direct to Pt B.
- Methods of Navigation to the I.P. Gee, DR [Dead Reckoning], pilotage, Mickey [Radar]
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BOMB RUN.
- Actual I.P. was
not as briefed.
- True heading over target. 265.
- Actual Drift 18° Right.
- Altitude over Target 23,500.
- Time Bombs Away 1407½.
- Wind used for bombing 220°/62 knots.
- Method of target identification. Mickey and Visual
- Difficulties on bomb run. Rough Air
- Weather over Target. Clear but surrounded by clouds 4-5/10 cover
- Axis of withdrawal 269° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
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Group rally was accomplished at 50°47'N 10°00'E at 1450 hours.
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Wing rally was accomplished at 50°47'N 10°00'E at 1450 hours.
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Division rally was accomplished at ____ at ____ hours.
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Flight home
was was (not) as briefed. S'ing to avoid clouds
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Methods of navigation on return route. Gee, mickey, pilotage and radio.
- Winds aloft were
(not) called out to the formation.
- Fighter rendezvous' were
(not) as briefed.
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PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT.
- Mickey [Radar]: ____
- Gee: ____
- Radio Compass: ____
- Fluxgate: ____
- Other Equipment ____
[Signed:] M.J. Morrisette, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator, Lead Squadron
Lead Bombardier’s Narrative:
Date - 26 Mar. 1945
Field Order # 669
Squadron or Group - Lead Sqdn., 94th CBW "A" Group
Target - Vomag Machinenfabrik A.G. at Plauen, Germany
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Type of Bombing (Visual, PFF or Combined)? Visual
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Did Squadron perform own sighting operation, bomb on smoke marker, or was bombing done in Group Formation? Lead Sqdn performed own sighting operation ans the High Sqdn
dropped on the Lead at 1407 Hours on a M.H. [Magnetic Compass Heading] of 268°.
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Was turn made at briefed I.P.? Yes
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Cloud coverage and visibility. 7/10 at start of run.
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If Visual, when was MPI [Mean Point of Impact] identified? If not actually seen, how was it located? MPI was identified 10 miles away.
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Any Interference on Bomb Run? Clouds interfered [sic] on the two thirds of run.
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Did C-1 [Autopilot] function satisfactory? C-1 was not used as the air was too rough to set it up.
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Any other factors affecting accuracy? None
[Signed] Gerald E. Traczewitz, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier
Combat Bombing Flight Record:
I certify that this 12E form is complete and correct.
Warren C. Steitz, Captain, Air Corps, Group Bombardier.
Lead Squadron, 94th CBW "A" Group
Bombardier - 1st Lt. Traczewitz, Gerald E.
Pilot - Lt. Col. Ball, C.F. & Capt. Anderson, D.S.
Navigator - 1st Lt. Morrisette, Milton J.
Aircraft B-17G 825-Q Take-off - 0850 Landed - 1900
Objective - Vomag Machinenfabrik A.G. at Plauen, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As Briefed
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - High Squadron dropped on Lead Squadron
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 - 20 x 260 Lb. AN-M41 Frag. Clusters
Number of Bombs Loaded - As Above Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - None Tail - Instantenous
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point: High's M.H. [Magnetic Compass Heading] was 268° at 1407 Hours,
Altitude of Target - 500' | | Magnetic Heading Ordered 330° Actual 269° |
True Altitude Above Target - 22,800 | | True Heading 265° |
Indicated Altitude - 23,000 | | Drift, Estimated 4° Right - Actual 18° Right |
Pressure Altitude of Target +535 | | True Track 283° |
Altimeter Setting 29.92 | | Actual Range 7,782' |
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 150K | | Bomb Sight Type - M-9 |
True Air Speed - 214K | | Time of Release 14:07 |
Ground Speed Est. 247 Actual 146K | | Length of Bombing Run - 35 N.M. [Nautical Miles] |
Wind Direction Metro - 180° Actual - 225° | | Intervalometer Setting - Minimum |
Wind Velocity Metro 27K Actual 75 MPH | | C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] _____ |
D.S. - 131.5 Trail - 69 ATF - 40.48 | | A-5 Pilot _____ |
Tan. D.A, Est. .56 Actual .34 | | Manual Pilot - X [Used] |
Type of Release - Minimum
Point of Impact If Seen - As Briefed
Mean Temp. Metro -5.5 Actual -5.5
Winds - Altitude - 23,000 Ft. Direction - Metro 180° Actual 225° Velocity - Metro 27K Actual 65K
Temp C. - Metro -18° C. Actual -30° C.
Preliminary Damage Assessment, Mission of this Date.
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The three squadrons of this group attacked as the priority No. 2 target the Vomag Machinenfabrik A.G. at Plauen, Germany. Photo cover is complete for all
squadrons.
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The bombs of the lead squadron fell slightly left of the assigned MPI [Mean Point of Impact] with some hits in the target area. A fairly heavy concentration of
bombs fell on the spinning mill of Sachsische Zellwolle A.G. just west of the target and later photos show the building to be burning. The pattern measures 1938
feet by 2230 feet with the center of the pattern 1000 feet left of the assigned MPI. Percentages are 42% for 1000 feet and 100% for 2000 feet.
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The pattern of the high squadron fell to the right of the target area with some hits in the target area. Damage will be light. The pattern is 1710 feet by 3990
feet with the center 1000 feet right of the MPI. Percentage will be 33% for 1000 feet and 91% for 2000 feet.
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The bombs of the low squadron fell into smoke and the entire pattern cannot be plotted. The partial pattern is 4320 feet short (East) of the target area and is
in the southern part of the city. There will be possible damage to a small R.R. siding and residential area.
[Signed:] Thomas L. Cooper, Captain, Air Corps, Group P.I. [Photo Intelligence]
Narrative Teletype Report:
- No leaflets were carried by this Group.
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The three squadrons of this Group formed the 94th “A” CBW and led the 1st Air Division to the No. 2 target, Plauen, Germany. The target was the Vomag
Machinenfabrik A.G. Bombing was done visually and photos show the bombing results to be fair. The bombs of the lead squadron fell slightly left of the
assigned MPI [Mean Point of Impact] with some hits in the target area. There are some hits on the “C” target – the Spinning mill of Sachsische Zellwolle
A.G. The high Squadron bombs fell slightly right of the assigned MPI with a few hits in the target area. The low squadron pattern fell approximately
1500 yards short of the target landing in the southern portion of the city. The lead and high squadrons bombed together and the low squadron made a separate run.
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No E/A [Enemy Aircraft] were encountered and no claims [of enemy aircraft being shot down] are being submitted.
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No flak was encountered en route or at the target but moderate flak was observed in the Zeitz area.
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Weather conditions throughout the entire mission caused severe turbulent air at altitude, making assembly and flying of the briefed course difficult. Large
bulging cumulus forced the formation off course at several points. Cloud coverage in the No. 1 target area prevented this Group from attacking it. Three
to five tenths undercast was encountered at the No. 2 target.
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A smoke screen covered a large area in the vicinity of 5032 N – 1142 E at approximately 1337 hours.
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Four PFF A/C were used by this Group on today’s mission. All sets worked well and were used as navigational aids along the route and for setting a course
into the target area. Fighter support was good and appeared as briefed. The Scouting Force was contacted and their information was accurate and helpful.
None of our A/C is missing.
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Weather conditions encountered by this group on the entire route in and out made it extremely difficult to make points or times en route good. The group was
eight minutes early leaving its assembly point and was unable to make the next two points good. The first point made good after assembly was Control Point
No. 2, at which point they were five minutes early. On the next leg the formation was forced several miles to the South of course toward Nurnburg but managed
to make the next point, seventeen minutes early. The Scouting Force informed the Air Commander that they were unable to pick up the No. 1 target due to cloud
coverage and a decision was made to make a run on No. 2 target. The No. 2 target was attacked after making a 360 degree right turn in the vicinity of the
assigned I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run]. The lead squadron picked up the target and the high squadron followed through, bombing on the smoke markers of
the Lead. The Low squadron had difficulty in making the 360 degree turn and was unable to pick up the target on the first run. A successful bomb run was
made by the Low Squadron after another 360 degree turn. Due to the turbulent air encountered, crews were unable to use the C-1 equipment [Autopilot] and were
forced to make the bomb run by PDI [Pilot Deviation Indicator]. The Lead and High squadrons cut North after bombing and were two minutes early at the first
point after No. 1 target. They were unable to get on course until about half way down the leg leading into Control Point No. 2 where they were met by the Low
Squadron which had cut straight West after bombing. The group crossed the front lines at 20,000 feet and left Control Point No. 2 at 4000 feet. Flying three
to ten miles north of course until they reached 4 degrees East, where they cut to south of course about seven miles and paralleled their course on into the
English coast. Let down was as per SOP [Standard Operating Procedure].
Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge
Mission Summary Report:
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Abortives and Flying Spares:
- Airplane No. 44-8412, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned.
- Airplane No. 42-97252, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned.
[Signed:] Otto R. Vasak, Major, Air Corps, Station S-4 [Engineering] Officer
Abortive Report
Aircraft No. H-412 Squadron - 508 Date - 26 Mar. 1945
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PILOT'S STATEMENT:
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Reason for abortive F/S [Flying Spare]
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Place and altitude 49°35' - 08°00' 19,000'
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Time 1250
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Position in formation Diamond in High Element
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Disposition of bombs BB [Brought Back]
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Remarks ____
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Time & Date dispatched ____
(Pilot's Signature) Charles J. Harkins
Abortive Report
Aircraft No. K-252 Squadron - 510 Date - 26 March, 1945
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PILOT'S STATEMENT:
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Reason for abortive Flying Spare
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Place and altitude Rhine River at 18,000'
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Time 1250
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Position in formation ____
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Disposition of bombs Returned to Base
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Remarks ____
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Time & Date dispatched ____
(Pilot's Signature) George M. Stamps
The above records were obtained at the National Archives Records Administration and have been
declassified by authority NND 745005