primary	Gelsenkirchen MPI: center of town
secondary	any German city w/o disrupting fighter support
last resort	none
Bomb Load	42 100-lb. M-47 incendiaries

Narrative Report

1. The 92nd Bomb Group flew at 27,000 feet as the low group of the 40th Combat Wing, flying in the First Bomb Division formation. First fighter a/c seen were P-47s and they were observed in numbers of about 30-40 at about 31,000 ft. at 1304 hours, 10 miles SE of Dekooy. Thereafter, P-47s were seen in about that number until just before bombs were away at about 1346-47. For five minutes thereafter very few fighters were seen, but P-47s in number were again picked up five minutes later as the formation left the Ruhr area and continued 10-15 miles at sea on the route to base. A few P-38s were seen over the North Sea on the route home from enemy coast to English coast. The first enemy a/c were observed in the target area and then about five minutes after the target en route home for the succeeding next 15 minutes. From three to 50 e/a were reported. Almost all of these were of the single-engine variety. Most of these were identified as 190 a/c, but several were Me-109s. Three Me-210s were claimed identified, but these were quite some distance away. Most attacks on the 92nd were by 190 a/c and these occurred about ten minutes after leaving the target. Attacks were entirely individual attacks and somewhat scattered. Not more than 10-15 attacks were made on this group though up to 50 e/a were observed in the target area. Several observations were made to the effect that stragglers were again the center of great attention by e/a. One FW 190 attacking alone flew parallel and level with the formation at 1,000 yards for some time and then turned in level in a steep bank for an approach to 800 yards, firing 20ms all the way and turning back quickly at 800 yards to reach the 1,000-yard position. Approaches of this nature were made for 5-6 successive times when this e/a was shot down and the pilot bailed out. No reports of rocket or heavy gunfire were received today. The FW 190 a/c exhibited a number of yellow noses and loud, contrasting wing colors. A few 190s and 109s were dark gray on top and cream or white on the bottom. One 190 was all black. Fighter support on the whole was very good and much appreciated. Better close support rather than entirely area support is recommended by most crews. On the whole the enemy fighter defenses were considered weak. One B-17 too far away to identify further was observed by one crew to turn back into Germany at 5158-0226 at 14,000 ft and at 1443 hours. The observation was made at 15,000 ft. The B-17 appeared to be in no trouble.

2. Flak

   Time	Position	Altitude	Intensity	Altitude Quality	Deflection	Colour	Type
   1306	5250-0450	27,000	meagre	poor	poor	black	predicted following
   1335	5145-0700	27,000	intense	good	good	black & white	concentrated predicted following
   1340	5150-0706	26,500	meagre	poor	poor	black	several bursts
   1335	Recklinghausen	26,000	intense	good	good	black	concentrated predicted following and barrage
   	to Herne	26,000	intense	good	good	black and white, most of white high, some red
   1555	Bocham	26,000	intense	good	good	white; some red	barrage
   	Wattan	26,000	intense	good	good	most [sic]; some red	barrage
   	Weitmar	26,000		good	good	white; some red	high
   	Steele	26,000		good	good	some red
   	Gelsenkirchen	26,000		good	good	some red
   	Horst	26,000		good	good	some red
   	Gladbeck	26,000		good	good	some red
   1405	5145-0510	27,000	meagre	good	poor	white	several bursts
   1407	Gilze-Rijn	24,000	meagre	fair	poor	black	predicted following

   Just after bombs away several single red bursts were observed at one-minute intervals to port. Some flak bursts over target seemed to burst laterally rather than usual round puffs.

3. One B-17, number 831...group was seen apparently flying on AFCE as eight or nine chutes were seen to come out of it and was finally shot down by a 190 at 5140-0640. One B-17 number 30623 L was seen under control, but two chutes were seen to come out at 5145-0445 from a height of 15,000. One B-17 was seen to crash into the sea at 1443 at 5156-0142.

4. None.

5. [Damaged a/c] Not available.

6. Smoke screens in ten-mile area around target were observed. 20-25 balloons were observed over target area at 12,000. 30 small boats seen at enemy coast at 5250-0440 at 1307 at 27,500 feet.

7. Bombing was accomplished by dropping on lead pff a/c. Smoke screen at target. Observation difficult. Bombs are believed to have hit a town north to northwest of the target just north of the Dortmund Emms Canal. Some bombs were observed dropping into a wooded area joining town. Bomb flashes were seen where the bombs hit, but no smoke or fire. On approach to target area a column of heavy black smoke was seen to rise above the smoke screen in approximate area of the target and believed to be result of bombs. Bombing from previous air division.

8. Safety wires on M47A1s are too difficult to remove and not strong enough. Need close fighter support as well as area support. Too sharp a right turn just before bomb run threw a/c out of 92nd formation into another group.

9. 24 a/c took off between 1012 and 1031, crossing the English coast at 1221 at 5257-0114. Swung around in S back to Cromer, then on course, entering enemy coast at 1307 at 5250-0441. Followed briefed course to 5210-0630 and turned east of course to 5200-0657, then to 5247-0710, then circled right through Recklinghausen, Gerthe, Bochum and back over Gelsenkirchen on parallel to briefed course. Enemy coast at 1420 hours, 5145-0350, returning to English coast at 1447, 5205-0130, landed at base between 1514 and 1608. This group was over target at 1348, 330° mag and was low group in combat wing on bomb run. Four a/c did not drop. A/c 165 turned back west of Northampton at 1105. Engine oil line broke. Bombs were jettisoned in Wash. A/c 580 turned back at 1220 at 5300-0112 because pilot had trouble with eyes and could not see clearly. Bombs were jettisoned in Wash. A/c 461 turned back at 1233 5253-0149 because left waist gunner had bends. Bombs were jettisoned in North Sea. A/c near 513 turned back ten miles SSE of Coesfeld, Germany, because it could not keep up with formation as number three prop had run away and would not feather. Bombs were dropped in train at point of turnback.

10. No nickels.

    
    Flash Report

    number attacking primary	approx. 20
    unaccounted for	2
    results	poor and unobserved
    weather	1/10 [report illegible; possibly ground haze]
    flak	intense
    enemy opposition	few fighters; no attacks
    friendly fighter support	very good

    
    Briefed Formation

    The 92nd Bomb Group flew as the low group of the 40th Combat Wing.

    Abortive Aircraft
    Lost Aircraft
    Damaged Aircraft
    Turned Back before Target

    Lead Squadron
    327th Squadron

    	831 L Booker-Todd
    648 U Stewart		408 Q Holland
    	638 N Tucker
    644 V Wilder		109 M Ward
    	649 X Ogburn

    
    High Squadron
    326th Squadron

    	016 O Belongia
    623 L Ahrenholz		513 T George
    	799 J Holden
    733 B Rose		423 P Wolfe
    	580 N Wild

    
    Low Squadron
    407th Squadron

    	821 S Miles
    821 U Sewell		849 F Bacher
    	494 F Ling
    711 H Thornton		996 R Gold
    	165 T O'Shea

    975 H - 326th Sq - Shannon - flew #7 position (third element) of low squadron of lead group
    677 K - 326th Sq - Makowski - flew "#1 second element of high squadron"

    Spares
    755 A - 325th Sq - Griffith
    716 - 407th Sq

    
    Damage

    A/C	Pilot	Damage
    408	Holland	oil tank in #4 engine knocked out, hole in nose
    648	Stewart	one engine shot out by AA
    638	Tucker	ten holes in wing, fuselage
    109	Ward	#3 engine push rod shot out; nose to be replaced; flak holes in wings, waist; vertical, horizontal stabilizers shot up
    644	Wilder	hole in nose; plexiglass on pilot's, co-pilot's sides; AA hole in cowling of #1 engine
    649	Ogburn	right elevator, both wings, bombardier's window, bomb bay
    016	Belongia	slight flak holes
    623	Ahrenholz	paint in spots knocked off stabilizer by AA
    799	Holden	one small flak hole through right wing flap
    423	Wolfe	flak hole in #3 engine; (also radio operator's heater boots burned out
    733	Rose	oxygen system knocked out; upper turret u/s; holes in left stabilizer
    849	Bacher	flak hole in wing
    821	Sewall	very slight battle damage
    494	Lyng	#4 engine knocked out by AA over target area
    996	Gold	report illegible; hole behind co-pilot's seat; looks like right horizontal stabilizer, left something
    975	Shannon	slight flak damage in wing
    677	Makowski	oil cooler out; flak holes through #2 prop

    
    Composition of Force

    1. 1st CBW
    2. 40th CBW
    3. 41st CBW
    482nd Group will furnish 1 ea Oboe a/c to the lead group of ea combat wing

    combat wings will depart coast with maximum number of aircraft feasible

    
    Eighth Bomber Command Mission Details

    1. 1. Fighter Support
          1 group P-47s from 5240-0610 to limit of range
          1 group P-47s from 5150-0650 to limit of range
          1 group P-47s from 5138-0610 to limit of range
          1 squadron Spits from 5145-0450 to coast

          3rd Division will rendezvous with fighter support of equal strength to that for 1st Division at same points 20 minutes ahead of 1st Division

       2. Friendly Activity
          3rd Division will attack same target 20 minutes ahead of 1st Division, following same route, departing Great Yarmouth.

          2nd Division will attack GH-472, departing Cromer, following North Sea Route, arriving 5400-0400 ten minutes behind 1st Division.

    2. Targets and MPI

       Target:	GH-555
       MPI:	0250 37/3
       Secondary:	Any German city which may be bombed without disrupting fighter support
       Last Resort:	None

    3. 1. Composition of Force
          3 combat wings
          
          • 1st CBW leading
          • 40th CBW 2nd
          • 41st CBW 3rd

          482nd group will furnish 1 each Oboe aircraft to the lead group of each combat wing

          combat wings will depart coast w/maximum number of aircraft feasible

       2. Route
          Approximate time schedule for lead a/c
          • Cromer: 0 minus 40 minutes, 20,000 feet
            
          • Control Point: 5240-0610
            
          • P-47 at Principe (?)
            
          • 0 + 20 minutes, 28,000 feet, 5150-0650 (P-47 0+36 mins, 28,000 feet)
          • target 0+42 mins, 28,000 feet, 5138-0610
          • P-47s 0+53 mins, 28,000 feet, 5145-0450 (Spits 0+67 mins, 28,000, 5150-0400)
          • 0+76 mins, 28,000 feet, start descent
          • Orfordness 0+103 minutes, 20,000 feet

          Total distance Cromer to Orfordness: 467 nautical miles

       3. one

          Special Instructions Regarding Routes and Speed

          Climb crews and bomb at 150 IAS
          assemble bomb wings as desired

          1. Division assembly line Ely to Cromer

          2. Interval between combat wings - 3 minutes

       4. Zero hour and date
          1300 BST
          5 Nov 1943

          x1.	Bomb loadings and fusings All aircraft max load M-47-A1 IBs

          x2. Intervolometer settings: minimum

          3. Special Bombing Instructions
          

          1. PFF VHF cord for IP: Baker Dog
             
          2. following aircraft bomb on PFF flares
             if PFF bombs are not visible, bombardiers are warned not to release early
          3. Bombing will be on PFF regardless of whether target is visible

    4. Supplying: Normal

    5. Communications
       1. General
          1. Splasher beacon
             4D, 5E, 6F, 7G, 8H, 9I, 11J in operation during entire mission
          2. Gee information
             "Eastern Wyoming on Grave A" during entire mission
          3. No J beams

       2. First Division
          1. MF D/F section D

          2. VHF bomber fighter channel American bomber fighter (d)

          3. VHF bomber fighter call signs

             Bombers:	Phone box 4-1 1st Combat Wing 4-2 40th Combat Wing 4-3 41st Combat Wing
             Fighters:	Haybank 4
             Ground Sector:	Warm sun
             for comms with Spits 11 group Guard #1 (c)
             Bombers:	Dye Peg 4-1 1st Combat Wing 4-2 40th Combat Wing 4-3 41st Combat Wing
             Fighters:	Garlic
             Ground Sector:	Spice cake

             VHF code word for authentication: X-ray

             Air Commander call sign: Bo-peep
             Col Nazarro

    6. Special Instructions

       1st Combat Wing will designate division air commander

       Division air commander and combat wing air commanders and their navigators will report 0700 5 ? 43 for debriefing at Alconbury.

       Splasher beacons assigned as follows:
       

       1st Wing 40th Wing 41st Wing

       5 7 4

40th Combat Wing Mission Details

1. support - See 1st Division field order 229

2. target See Field Order 229

3. 1. ...three combat boxes as follows

   2. Assemble
      1. 305 Bomb Group lead 40th CBW with 21 B-17s; take off as desired and climb on assigned course on reciprocal to assemble group on 40th Wing buncher at 13,000 ft. Depart Thurleigh 0 minus 91 minutes on 40th CBW assembly line. Thurleigh, Stony, Stratford, Daventree

      2. 306 Bomb Group high in 40th CBW with 21 B-17s; take off as desired and climb on assigned course on reciprocal to assemble group on 40th Wing buncher at 15,000 ft. Proceed to join 305 Bomb Group from south on 40th CBW assembly line

      3. 92 Bomb Group low in 40th CBW with 21 B-17s; take off as desired and climb on assigned course on reciprocal to assemble group on 40th Wing buncher at 11,000 ft. Proceed to join 305 Bomb Group from north on 40th CBW assembly line.

   3. Route Out
      Depart Thurleigh 0 minus 91 mins at 13,000 ft to Stony, Stratford
      0 minus 94 mins at 13,000 ft to Daventree
      0 minus 78 mins at 13,000 ft start climb
      to Kettering 0 minus 70 mins at 14,500 ft to Ely
      0 minus 55 mins 17,000 to Cromer
      0 minus 37 mins 20,000 ft

   7. Bombing Altitude
      lead aircraft 28,000 feet

   8. Operating Speed
      See 1.

   24. High Squadron on Right
       92 and 306 groups to furnish three extra aircraft to fill up portions of 40th Combat Wing formation. All aircraft over 21 per group to return to base at Cromer plus 15 mins.

   Comms:
   40th Wing assigned Splasher # 7 for let-down
   Heading 315° true

   40th Wing lead a/c 305th Bomb Group call sign: Bullpen Red

Briefing Notes

Primary: Gelsenkirchen
MPI: center of town

bomb on pff a/c regardless of visibility

position: low group in the high wing

Secondary: Any German city w/o disrupting fighter support

AA: heavy

Enemy Aircraft:
160 single-engine
155 twin-engine

Escort:
1 group P-47s of Meppee [sic]
1 group P-47s near Borken
1 group P-47s at Weeze

Friendly activity:
3rd Division will bomb same target 20 minutes ahead of us
2nd Division, 10 miles behind, will bomb Münster

Last updated 8-1-01 2028 est (0028 z)