Schweinfurt
Thursday, 14 October 1943
Field Order 220


primary Schweinfurt
MPI: 073050/6
secondary center of city
last resort GH 633
 
Bomb Load 6 1,000-lb. general purpose bombs


Narrative Report

  1. The 92nd Group reporting flew as lead group of the 40CBW to bomb Schweinfurt, Germany. The 305 group failed to rendezvous with the 40CBW in spite of a 14-minute delay at the rendezvous point. Thereafter, the 92nd and 306 Groups constituting the 40 CBW proceeded into enemy territory. It was suspected to be the 41st CBW was in the lead of and not following the 40 CBW as scheduled. Bombs were away at 1440 hours and bombing altitude was 22,800 feet.

    P-47 escort was seen mid North Sea on route in, heading toward Dutch coast. They were there at the scene for 30 minutes and left the formation at 1340 hours. Shortly thereafter the first e/a were seen. These were observed at about 5100-0610E. They appeared in very great numbers and put up literally terrific opposition until a sharp swing to the left at the IP seemed to throw most of them off. A bomb run of a full minute was virtually unmolested, but the attack was again pressed forward with vigor over the target after bombs were away. The numbers of e/a decreased considerably after the target and only sporadic attacks were observed all the way to the French coast. One crew in a B-17 that trailed the main formations by 200-400 yards on the route out from the target reported that they experienced more attacks on the return route than on the route to the target.

    From 300 to 400 e/a are reported today. 250 were said to be in the immediate vicinity of the formations and another 200 further away. By far, most of them were seen on route to the target. Relatively few were seen on the return route. S/e e/a were seen for ten minutes before t/e e/a were seen. Thereafter, s/e and t/e were seen together.

    Types identified were FW 190s, Me 109s JU 108s, Me 210s and one He 111. One crew is positive they observed a few JU 87s with fixed landing gear at 22,000 feet. In addition, some Do 217s were observed. One four-engine e/a with twin fins was also observed. Several yellowed-nosed Me 109s were seen today. Some t/e e/a had a large yellow patch on the underside in the center. Some JU 88s had white bottoms and colored, striped tops.

    About ten minutes after e/a were first seen, a large flight of t/e e/a, identified as Me 210s, approached from astern and a little high. When at 2,000 yards they split four ways to attack the groups in the rear of the formations. Thereafter both t/e and s/e e/a of the types already mentioned attacked viciously. Flights of t/e e/a would stand off at 1500 yards at both sides and on the tail of the formation and lob rockets or heavy cannon projectiles into the formations with devastating effect. At the same time s/e e/a were attacking from the nose and from top and bottom, firing 20 mm cannon. T/e e/a would attack and then leave. During the interval between waves of t/e e/a, s/e e/a would dive through the formations from all angles. Occasionally, the t/e e/a would close to 400-600 yards even to fire rockets. S/e e/a were pressing the attack home to very close quarters and often attacked in pairs and larger groups. One observer claims to have observed s/e Me 109s attack across the line of fire of t/e e/as standing out at 1500 yards, and three of these were seen to explode while crossing the line of fire, presumably from a hit by one of the rocket or cannon shells fired by the t/e e/a. On three different occasions FW 190s a/c swooped down just over parachutes. This procedure either scooped air out of the chutes or collapsed them and thereafter the chute and wearer plummeted to the ground.

    T/e e/a firing rockets and heavy caliber cannon were observed to fire generally four flashes and then to depart or to make a closer approach to fire 20 mm. Most of the many B-17s knocked down today were hit by rockets or heavy cannon. The bursts of this type of weapon were described as of equal size to or larger than ordinary black bursts. Fort was hit by such a projectile. It exploded or fell apart. Only occasionally did t/e e/a bother with stragglers. Usually stragglers were knocked out of formation by 20 mm fire and then shot down by s/e e/a firing 20 mm. No losses or stragglers caused by flak fire are reported today. One fragment found in a wing tank of a B-17 returning to base in a damaged condition, is apparently a portion of the rear end of an 8-10 projectile, probably a rocket with three or more venturi tube outlets at an angle with rear face to get a twist in flight.

    Several large t/e e/a approached to 850 yards to fire rockets or large caliber cannon shells of a new type not heretofore experienced. Large flashes were seen from the leading edge of the wings close to wing groups. Continuous fire for a short space of time was observed until e/a turned away. Gun flashes on projectile bursts were larger than 20 mm fire and the bursts exploded in the formation with black smoke on top and white smoke on the bottom. The smoke was not as persistent as flak, but carried the equivalent in explosive force. B-17s hit by these projectiles invariably started to burn fiercely immediately. One projectile not otherwise identified was observed to hit the number four engine nacelle of the lead a/c of the second element of the 92nd Group and after one-half minute, the engine caught fire. The shell seemed to sit on the wing at the nacelle and burn brilliantly.

    Air to air bombing-- three cases of air to air bombing were observed. (1) Five FW 190s e/a were observed 1,000-2,000 feet above our formation, flying parallel with it, and when approx. overhead dropped several objects, which looked like small standard construction bombs about the size of the USAAF blue 100-lb. practice bombs. White smoke streamers were observed to trail these bombs, which one crew described as spirally. None of these bombs hit any of our a/c and none of them exploded. One such bomb was dropped from each e/a. (2) Three s/e e/a queued up at three to four o'clock about 3,000 feet above another's combat wing formation and dropped several objects which could not be identified for color or size and which were not observed to explode in the formation. One object was dropped from each e/a. (3) What was believed to be a s/e e/a, not otherwise identified, was observed to fly 1,000 feet above and parallel with the group formation and when directly above dropped four or five objects, which appeared to be round objects the size of twelve-pound shot puts. The impression was gained that these objects were dropped over the side of the e/a one after the other in rapid succession by hand. No B-17s were hit and no explosions observed or felt. Four P-47s thought to be friendly a/c flown by the enemy were observed in the approach to the IP at 22,000 feet, heading 120 ° mag. These a/c flew out to the side and parallel with the combat wing formation in the manner of fighter escort. They suddenly executed a 90° turn in toward the head of the CW formation. These a/c were originally at 800 yards in the port beam. They approached to 300 yards when they nosed up and away, showing a plan view of themselves. Positive identification is claimed. The a/c had brown fusings and the wings were a very dark color, almost black. No white cowling and no white tail markings were observed. No insignia was observed and the a/c did not open fire. Several B-17s fired on them. The last P-47 escort had long since departed and the e/a had been attacking at some time at this point.

    The P-47 support was declared fine while it lasted. On the journey out from the target P-47s were reported in small numbers only in the Paris area and for only a very few minutes. No Spits were seen.

    All returning crews believed long-range fighter escort is the only solution to the new enemy fighter tactics.

  2. Flak
    Time Position Altitude Intensity Altitude
    Quality    		 Color Type
    1305 5127-0334E 22,500 meager inaccurate black continuously pointed fire
    1313 north of Antwerp 22,000 meager inaccurate black continuously pointed fire
    1320 5105-0513E 23,500 meager fairly accurate black continuously pointed fire
    At various points one a/c observed meager gunfire; however, 10/10 cloud prevented a/c from accurately plotting position of gunfire.
    1405 Lindberg 22,700 moderate accurate black continuously pointed fire
    1431-1442 Wurverg to 2-1/2 minutes after target 23,000 moderate black and white continuously pointed fire
    At target a number of red bursts were observed. At some unidentified point a long row of red bursts were observed with a row of black bursts above. The black bursts were at the same elevation as the observing a/c.
    1455 Rothenburg 20,000 moderate accurate black and red continuously pointed fire
    near Mannheim 22,000 meager accurate black continuously pointed fire
    1517 4910-0820E 22,000 moderate accurate black continuously pointed fire

  3. B-17 believed to be a/c no. 387 piloted by Major Ott of this group at 1342 hours over Duren. This a/c was losing altitude from 21,000 feet with number three and number four engines on fire and one prop feathered. It is possible that one chute may have come out earlier as escape door was seen to have come off quite some time before the nine chutes were observed. B-17 number 231 piloted by Lt. Clough from this group seen to go down in spin on fire with one wing blown off at 1357 hours over 5017-0733E. One chute seen to come from this a/c before it exploded at 21,000 feet. Another B-17 seen going down with number three and number four engines smoking at 1536 hours near Metz. Five chutes were seen. At 1635 B-17 seen flying at 15,000 feet over 4940-0154E. This B-17 was smoking badly and fired several green flares. There were several confirmations by men from this group who were in good positions to observe that the low group of the 41st CBW which preceded our group into the target were hit especially hard. It is reported this low group went into enemy territory with 16 a/c and came out with but four.

  4. A/c no. 171 piloted by 2 Lt. F. W. Wolfe crash-landed near Ship Lake at 1854 hours out of gas. No one injured in crashing. Crew has been interrogated. A/c no. 351 piloted by 1 Lt. R. W. Lyng tried to land at 1824 hours at Swink Field low on gas. Hit mound at end of field, ground-looped and burned up. Crew all safe and has been interrogated.

  5. Four a/c sustained category A battle damage. 230623, 230580, 230638 and 230716. Six a/c sustained Category AC battle damage: 229962, 230648, 230636, 23184, 230735 and 23496. Two a/c sustained Category E battle damage: 23171 and 23351.

  6. At 4959-0119E at 1651 a/c of 306th BG dropped bombs near French coast on way out. Stuttgart and Karlsruhe had smoke screens which were not effective. Big explosive five miles south of Schweinfurt appeared to come from open field. Light colored smoke arose from explosion. Smoke screen at Ludwigshaven. On three different occasions FW 190s swooped down and just over parachutes. The slipstream scooped air out of the chutes and collapsed them and on each occasion parachutes plummeted to ground.

  7. Our bombs seen to hit squarely in primary target area. Lead bombardier had target in bomb sight. One a/c salvoed just before target. Pictures show hits in primary target area, in the river in front of the target, on both sides of the river and also bursts in VKF Works no. 1.

  8. Heavier armament in tail to reach JU 88s, which stand off tail out of range and fire rockets. Brackets around waist guns (for night protection of wings and tail) should be removed for day flying. Latest B-17s coming over are not equipped with auxiliary oxygen outlets, which have proven very valuable in existing models, especially for wounded men taken from their stations. Put microphone buttons on flexible guns. Request a way to be devised to hang right nose gun so as not to interfere with ring site. Window above pilot's seat ices (frost) up so badly pilot cannot see rest of formation when in low position or when forced back out of formation, making maneuvering very hazardous. Long-range fighter escort needed all the way to targets when far inland.

  9. 21 a/c took off between 1014 and 1037. Course crossed English coast at Oxfordness at 1231 hours, then to enemy coast 1306 hours at 5137-033E [sic] to 5100-0520E to 5017-0733E to IP to target at 1440 on heading 50 mag. Made a right turn off target, then to 5954-1033E to Bad Mergentheim to 4905-0702E to 4857-0600E to 4900-0600E to Epernay to Soissons to 4940-0154E to seven miles east of Dieppe a [sic] 1653 to three miles west of Beach Head at 1712 to base. Three a/c returning at 1759 to 1807. One a/c, no. 711, turned back 1? [fold in paper; looks like 15] miles east of Orfordness at 1235 hours as number two supercharger regulator was not functioning properly. This a/c returned to base with bombs at 1440. A/c no. 494 turned back 14 miles NW Doventry [sic] at 1147 when it had a runaway supercharger on no. three engine and one cylinder out on no. four engine. The crew of nine a/c reported to have landed elsewhere in England have all returned and have been interrogated. Six a/c are missing and are believe lost over enemy territory.

  10. No nickels carried.


    Flash Report
    Mission #1
    Target Schweinfurt
    First Air Task Force

    A. 91, 351, 381, 92, 305, 306, 303, 379, 384
    B. 153
    C. 24
    D. 129
    E. 45
    F. 7 groups - good, two groups - fair
    G. 0-26-450
    H. intense
    I. slight to moderate
    J. clear over target
    K. 267 tons GP, 13.7 tons IB for a total of 280.7 tons total.
    Fighter support good on route out. None on route back.

    Mission #2
    Target Schweinfurt
    Second Air Task Force

    A. 94, 385, 95, 100, 390, 96, 388
    B. 142
    C. 16
    D. 126-- primary
    E. 15
    F. 5 groups - good, two groups - fair
    G. 4-8-143
    H. strong
    I. intense to moderate
    J. clear over target
    K. 217.5 tons of GPs, 74.1 tons IBs for a total of 296.1 tons.
    Me 210 with rocket guns seen. He 113, FW 190, FW 200 and Do 217 all seen. Big flak bursts red in color breaking into smaller bursts and slowly descending observed. Also purple bursts in Belgium. New a/d observed one mile south of ...ipzengen [not readable]. Fighter support good on route out. None on route back.

    Mission #3
    Target Schweinfurt
    Third Air Task Force

    A. 93, 389, 392
    B. 47
    C. 47-- weather
    D. none. Unable to affect CBW assembly due to weather
    E. none
    F. nil
    G. none
    H. none
    I. nil
    J. overcast over assembly area
    K. no tonnage

    Part B. Statistical

    A. 92, 326, 327, 407
    B. 20
    C. 3
    D. None
    E. None
    F. None
    G. 2
    H. Unknown
    I. Unknown
    J. None
    K. 6
    L. 1439 1/2
    M. 22,800
    N. 18x1000 GP on primary
    N1. 126x1000 GP
    N2. 90x1000 GP
    O. None
    P. 3
    Q. 0-0-0-60
    R. 5-0-0
    S. No nickels carried

    Note: Nine a/c have landed away from base. Disposition of bombs unreported.

    Another Part B. Statistical

    A. 92
    B. 19
    C. 11 and 2 a/c lost reported to have attacked
    D. 0
    E. 0
    F. 0
    G. 2
    H. None
    I. 6
    J. 0
    K. 0
    L. 1439 1/2
    M. 22,800
    N. 66x1000 GP on primary plus 12x1000 GP reported from two missing a/c
    N1. 126x1000 GP
    N2. 24x1000 GP
    O. 1 a/c, 6x1000 GP
    P. 3 a/c, 6x1000 GP
    Q. 1-0-4-60
    R. 34-7-5
    S. No nickels carried


    Telephone Report

    1. Group: 92

    2. A/c dispatched: 19

    3. # a/c dispatched but failed to bomb: 2

      in between #s 3, 4 it says two missing a/c are reported to have bombed

    4. # a/c attacking primary: 11
      Secondary target: blank
      Last resort: blank
      Target of opportunity: blank

    5. # a/c lost: 6

    6. Bombing results: good

    7. Casualties:
      Killed: 1
      Slightly wounded: 4
      Missing: 60

    8. Enemy air opposition: Strong is checked; written above it is "extremely"

    9. Estimate of e/a destroyed: 34
      Probables: 7
      Damaged: 5
      No. claimed: left blank

    10. Description of gun AA fire heavy flak: Moderate is checked

    11. Clouds: intense, 0/10
      Effective weather on mission: none

    12. Flash observations of importance: rocket guns very effective
      A. Friendly fighter support: P-47 escort observed both on way in and out. No Spitfire escort seen.
      B. No. of a/c sustaining battle damage: 12

    13. No nickels carried

      Note: nine a/c landed away from base, have now returned and have been interrogated


    Another Flash Report

    A. Approx. # a/c attacking primary target: 12
    above that also says 13 and 14

    B. Approx. # a/c attacking secondary target: blank

    C. Last resort: blank

    D. Target of Opportunity: blank

    E. Reason for attacking target of opportunity: blank

    F. # a/c known to be missing: 6
    # unaccounted for: 1

    G. Bombing results: good

    H. Weather (very brief): clear

    I. Flak: Moderate- looks like says inaccurate
    Enemy a/c opposition: terrific

    J. Friendly fighter support: Going in, none out


    Flak Report

    [NOTE: This was hard to read as it is a carbon copy and has CONFIDENTIAL stamped across the upper part. Elipses (...) designate those words that are unreadable.

    1. Route followed:
    5137-0333E [looks like]
    to 5100-0520E
    to 5017-0733E
    to IP
    to target
    to 4954 [looks like]-1033E
    to Bad Mergentheim
    to 4905-0702E [looks like]
    to 4857-0600E
    to 4900-0600E
    to Epernay
    to Soissons
    to 496[?]0-0154E
    to seven miles north of Dieppe
     
    2. Visibility at target (any condensation trails):
    0/10 clouds at target
    At... position 10/10 cloud prevailed.
     
    3. Number a/c over target: 12 a/c over target
    Actual a/c over target: 18 a/c over enemy territory
     
    4. Formation over target with height of each a/c. Those a/c damaged by flak to be circled. If seriously damaged, insert small S. If any a/c shot down by flak, say so.
    22,800 feet. Formation of this group over target is not yet known.
     
    5. General axis of attack from lead a/c if possible: 30 ° true bearing: 50 ° mag
     
    6. How long did formation fly straight and level before bombing: 60 seconds
    Under that says: time flat for run
     
    7. Turn after bombing; degrees of turn: sharp turn to right.
     
    8. Position of group in relation to other groups. Distance between groups. If in doubt, say so: lead of 40CBW
     
    9. What evasive action was taken? Give full particulars. Was there a change in elevation before bombing? General side to side evasive action with no change in elevation.
     
    10. Short description of flak on route: See back of page
     
    11. Any other comments: See attached sheet [NOTE: No sheet attached.]


    Back of Page:

    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy Color Type
    1305 5137-0334E 22,000 meager inaccurate black continuously pointed following
    1320 5105-0513E 23,000 ... meager? fairly accurate black continuously pointed fire at the... then target
    At various points on route one a/c observed meager gunfire; however, 10/10 cloud prevented a/c from accurately plotting position of gunfire.
    1431 to 1442 ...ursberg to 2 1/2 minutes after target 23,200 moderate accurate black and white continuously pointed fire
    At target a number of red bursts were seen.
    At some unidentified point a long row of red bursts were observed with a row of black bursts above. Black bursts were at the same elevation as the observing a/c.
    1517 [looks like] 4910-0820E 22,000 moderate accurate black continuously pointed fire


    Formation

    Note: This is taken from a handwritten formation list. It was difficult to follow. This is the formation as best as I have been able to determine. gle

    0937 stations
    0957 taxi
    1012 take-off
    1741 base

    Abortive Aircraft
    Lost Aircraft
    Damaged Aircraft

    Lead Squadron
    326th Squadron

    580 N
    McLaughlin-Peaslee
    171 S
    Wolfe    		 387 A
    Ott
    231 O
    Clough
    623 L
    Wild    		 962 E
    Rose
    671 K
    Makowski


    High Squadron
    407th Squadron

    711 H
    Prasse
    716 G
    Brown    		 352 Z
    Lyng*
    726 X
    Webb
    183 Q
    Sewall    		 708 J
    Byrne+
    494 F
    Gold

    *Lyng took over the lead when Prasse aborted. +Byrne apparently took over the number two position when Lyng moved to the lead.


    Low Squadron
    327th Squadron

    638 N
    Tucker
    648 U
    Miles    		 496 Z
    Stewart
    654 W
    Brown
    824 R
    Talbot    		 636 Y
    Oliverio
    735 P
    McKennon


    Hot News Report
    A/c down or in distress in enemy territory

    Observing a/c: 580 N
    A/c in distress: # 387 Ott a/c
    Time seen: 1342
    Approx. position: Düren, heading southeast
    Altitude: 21,000 feet
    #3, #4 engine out on fire
    flying level at 21,000 feet when last seen
    nine chutes seen

    Other Hot News
    Clough 231 went down in spin on fire with wing blown off at 5017-0733 at 1357 hours. The a/c blew up and one chute seen before explosion at 21,000 feet.


    Hot News Report
    A/c down or in distress in enemy territory

    Observing a/c: 580 N
    A/c in distress: B-17
    Time seen: 1635
    Approx. position: at 4940-0154E
    Heading: --
    Altitude: 15,000 feet
    smoking, flying at 15,000 feet below us and firing green flares at 1540 hours at... [then that is left blank]

    One B-17 very low heading toward coast
    no enemy a/c around him and one engine smoking

    under #2:
    says enemy shipping, naval units or conveys at sea: at 1650

    Other Hot News
    low group, 41CBW, had 16 a/c going and only four remained at target. They all went down on route to target


    Hot News Report
    Observing a/c: 716 G
    Altitude: 23,300
    A/c in distress: a B-17
    Approx. position: at IP, 1431

    At IP first record was made of a/c going down. Major Ott could not keep up with formation; however, this a/c straggled behind formation and probably bombed. 92nd group had 14 a/c over target. This a/c does not know if any a/c this group was destroyed after target. Two a/c went down between IP and target.


    Hot News Report
    Observing a/c: 580 N
    Altitude: 22,000
    saw a B-17 at 1536 going down near Metz, going down under control and three and four engines smoking. Five chutes were seen.


    Hot News Report
    Observing a/c: 638
    A/c in distress: wing ahead
    Time seen: 1415
    Approx. position: the Rhine
    Heading: 120

    Other Hot News:
    Two B-17s went down in flame. One blew up. No chutes seen. Two others went down under control just after Ruhr on way in. Four chutes out of one. Two chutes out of other.

    A/c 824 Talbot hit by 20 mm from 109 just before target. He pulled out to right and went down under control. One chute seen.

    A/c 654 Brown blew up underneath us. Rocket hit bomb bay and exploded. No chutes. Blown to bits.

    Debriefing Reports

    Following are the debriefing interviews conducted when the crews returned from the mission. They will not be all inclusive; specifically, descriptions of the enemy a/c attacks and flak will not be listed for all crews. Basically, the crews said much the same thing. Also, the nature of the e/a attacks was such that in several instances the debriefing officers were scribbling all over the page. That, combined with often sloppy handwriting, made some of the reports extremely difficult to read. The first three or four interviews will have complete information to give an example of what all of the briefing reports are like.

    Note: Elipses (...) designate those words that are unreadable.

    327th Squadron
    a/c 30636 Y
    lead ship, third element

    P 2 Lt. W. J. Oliverio
    C2 Lt. John Weaver
    N2 Lt. W. A. Freeman, Jr.
    B2 Lt. J. A. [looks like] Gloden
    RT/Sgt. F. L. Bringman
    TTT/Sgt. B. C. Berrian
    BTS/Sgt. R. J. Veth
    RWS/Sgt. R. M. Lawson
    LWS/Sgt. E. W. House, Jr.
    TS/Sgt. G. E. Woods

    Enemy fighter opposition: approx. 1,000
    Types: 110s, 109s, 190s, JU 88s, JU 87s w/fixed landing gear in position
    Types, marking, color:
    [hard to read as written in pencil]
    One four-engine job (twin ...) rocket bomb, Me 210. Rocket bombs had silver gray color and red-nosed FWs. Yellow-nose FW. 109s had yellow patch on wings. [Above that in parentheses says circular insignia.]

    Tactics: Rocket ship attacked from six o'clock from 500 yards. Fighters from three and nine and five to seven. Few heads on. FW 190s came from six o'clock through formation and peel off over nose and down.

    Air to air bombing: see attached form

    Enemy use of friendly a/c: not seen

    Fighter support: picked up on way in over Channel, 1236, approx. 28,000 feet.

    How long were they in sight: Not know; petered out.
    Were they in any combats while seen? Just before 47s left saw one single-engine fighter four high

    Flak:
    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1313 5110-0520 22,500 meager excellent excellent black following
    almost constantly until past target normal black following mostly...
    1440 target 22,400 3 bursts good ... [scribbled out] red 3 bursts
    1445+ after target 22,400 9 bursts low way left red 9 bursts

    Report Unusual Phenomena:
    tiny puffs, 30 or 40 at once in barrage covering area slightly above and to left. Gray smoke just before and after target.

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1440
      Altitude: 22,400
      Heading: 32 ° mag

    2. # of bombs dropped: 6 1,000s
      If not all, why? --

    3. Bombs loaded on ship: 6/1,000
      Bombs jettisoned: 0
      Bombs back: none

    4. Height and Colors of smoke or fires set: --

    5. Did any missing a/c bomb target?
      Talbot bombed target and went down afterward (place not known. Talbot was 500 feet below and trailing about 1445.)

    Route Followed

    1. Leaving English coast: as briefed
    2. Entering enemy coast: with formation
    3. Leaving enemy coast: with formation
    4. Returning English Coast: with formation

    Crew observations: none

    Casualties: none

    Flying Equipment Failures: none

    Comments/Suggestions:
    Defective rounds, broken links left ammo out night before raid.
    Pilot's window above seat frosts up and pilot can't see formation if he... altitude
    (turret ammo cans not filled on take-off)
    interphone went out frequently

    Battle damage
    Severe damage. Can't be taken off

    327th Squadron
    a/c 30735 P
    low squadron, lead group

    P 2 Lt. C. G. McKennon
    C 2 Lt. J. D. Henderson
    N 2 Lt. C. H. Beynon
    B2 Lt. C. W. Sanders
    R S/Sgt. J. W. Brown
    TT S/Sgt. E. E. Iantosca
    BT S/Sgt. J. S. Ogg
    RW S/Sgt. K. J. Bromley
    LW S/Sgt. C. W. Martin
    T S/Sgt. N. G. Sadler

    Enemy fighter opposition:1100 Me 109, JU 88, Me 110, Me 210, FW 190
    Types, marking, color:
    White engine cowling. Black fuselage. One white wing, one black.
    Me 109s were gray. FW had yellow noses

    Tactics: T/e fighters lined up at six o'clock straight and came in together to about 400 yards. S/e fighters attacked from all angles and heights. JU 88 fired a rocket from under each wing.

    Tactics: flew through own flak

    Air to air bombing: No

    Enemy use of friendly a/c: No

    Fighter support: On way in about 5145-3020 at 35,000-40,000 feet. Remained with formation until just before Aachen on way out. On way out none.

    Flak:
    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1313 North of Antwerp 22,000 moderate low accurate black predicted
    about 1330 near Aachen 22,000 moderate accurate accurate black predicted
    1350 near Mannheim 2300 [sic] moderate accurate accurate black predicted
    1425 IP 22,500 intense accurate accurate black and white predicted
    1455 Rotenburg 20,000 heavy accurate accurate red black predicted

    Report Unusual Phenomena: none

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1440
      Altitude: 22,500
      Heading: 040

    2. # of bombs dropped: 6x1,000s

    3. Bombs loaded on ship: 6x1,000s
      Bombs jettisoned: none
      Bombs back: none
      Bombs stuck in rack

    4. Height and Colors of smoke or fires set: none

    5. Did any missing a/c bomb target?
      Two or three in groups following. Talbot bombed target.

    Route Followed
    As briefed across

    Crew observations: none

    Casualties: none

    Flying Equipment Failures: none

    Comments/suggestions:
    Bombs stuck in rack. Faulty ammunition. Wouldn't fire. Empty shell cases flying through air damaged plexiglass of following ship

    Battle damage
    About 20 flak holes in wings and tail
    Top #1 engine hit by 20 mm shell

    407th Squadron
    a/c 23351 Z

    P 1 Lt. R. W. Lyng
    C F/O H. L. Smith
    N 2 Lt. P.L. Stebbins
    B 2 Lt. K.A. Pfleger
    R S/Sgt. Peter Waranicha
    TT T/Sgt. B. L. Bootwell
    BT S/Sgt. J. E. Disher
    RW S/Sgt. N. J. Barbato
    LW S/Sgt. C. T. Hultquist
    T S/Sgt. D. M. Rabney

    Enemy fighter opposition:1100 Me 109, JU 88, Me 110, Me 210, FW 190
    Types: [difficult to read]
    500 e/a during 1 1/2 hours of running battle which started just after P-47 ... terminated escort. 2/3 were twin-engines, Me 109, FW 190, Me 110, JU 88, Me 210, Do 217. Twin-eng e/a stood out at 1200 yards, fired rocket guns fixed to wings outward of the engines. Large red flash when fired. Bursts two to three times as large as flak bursts and twice as dense. Black bursts. Attacked from 5:00 to 8:00. Other twin-engine e/a came in from all directions principally 12:00 to 8:00, pressing attacks to 150 to 450 yards firing 20 mm cannon and rockets. S/e e/a attacked in pairs from 1:30 to 3:00. Press attack to 1,000 yards. Single-engine did not fire rocket guns. Some d/e [sic] flew along at 800 yards from formation for five minute-periods without making any attacks. Gunner thinks possibly to draw fire. It was also noticed that Me 109s crossed line of fire of their own s/e ships in making attacks. Three were seen to explode when hit by their own rocket fire.

    Fighter support: Fighter support good as far as it went on route to target. No escort on return.

    Flak:
    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    target moderate low good black/white pointed following

    This B-17 crashed on landing. All equipment and records destroyed.

    Report Unusual Phenomena: Escape kits and money pockets were burned in plane except one which co-pilot had on his person

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time:
      Altitude: 23,000
      Heading: 43° mag

    2. # of bombs dropped: 0
      If not all, why? Hung up. Bombs could not be dropped by any means.

    3. Bombs loaded on ship: 6x1,000s
      Bombs jettisoned: 6x1000
      near coast of France by salvo
      Bombs back: --

    4. Height and Colors of smoke or fires set:

    5. Did any missing a/c bomb target?

    Route Followed

    1. Leaving English coast: in formation
    2. Entering enemy coast:
    3. Leaving enemy coast:
    4. Returning English Coast:

    Crew observations:
    On three different occasions FW 190s swooped down and just over parachutes. This procedure scooped air out of chutes and on each occasion parachutists plummeted to down.

    Casualties:
    S/Sgt. John W. Disher hit of piece of 20 mm in right foot
    2nd General Hospital in Oxford

    Lt. Lyng gash left forefinger extending length of finger

    Flying Equipment Failures: [crossed out]

    Comments/suggestions:
    auxiliary oxygen outlets proved very valuable
    new ships coming over have had them eliminated

    Battle damage:
    Antenna of ship was cut off by fire

    Landed at Winkfield
    Hit two-foot mound at end of field. Left landing wheel collapsed. Left wing hit ground and ship ground-looped. #1 engine started to burn and crew abandoned ship. Completely destroyed

    327th Squadron
    3496 Z
    #2 lead element, low squadron

    took off 1029
    landed 1810

    P 1 Lt. W. H. Stewart
    C 1 Lt. E. P. Brown
    N F/O L. D. Patterson
    B Sgt. J.A. Piazza
    R S/Sgt. J. E. Coster
    TT T/Sgt. J. W. Sherick
    BT Sgt. Jack Meyer
    LW S/Sgt. W. G. Russell
    RW S/Sgt. E. R. Eubanks
    T S/Sgt. Ray V. Cupp

    Enemy opposition: 1,000, everything they had; JU 88s, Me 110s, Me 210s, FW190s, Me 109s, He 111s. Came in formation, stood off and shot rockets at them. S/es came in from all angles when twin engines had your attn.

    Air to air bombing: No

    Enemy use of friendly a/c: No

    Fighter support: P-47 on the way in as briefed. None on way home. No Spits seen.

    Flak:
    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1320 0513E-5105N 23,000 moderate fair fair black predicted
    1440 target 23,000 moderate good good white/black predicted
    1517 4910N-0820E 22,000 moderate good good black predicted

    Report Unusual Phenomena: none. Three groups ahead of us over target. Only four planes flown from one group got over target. Also 12 others shot down primary.

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1440
      Altitude: 23,000
      Heading: 40°

    2. # of bombs dropped: 6x1000
      If not all, why?

    3. Bombs loaded on ship: 6x1,000s

    4. Height and Colors of smoke or fires set: heavy fire and smoke near MPI

    5. Did any missing a/c bomb target? all of our group... into target area is the consensus of this crew.

    Route Followed

    1. Leaving English coast: route followed; Orfordness 1231 hours 17,300 feet
    2. Entering enemy coast: as briefed
    3. Leaving enemy coast: 5003N-0210E 1655 18,000
    4. Returning English Coast: three miles east of Beachy Head, 1713 hours 12,000

    Crew observations:
    rocket guns very effective
    can't reach the enemy with 50 calibers. He lays off and shoots into you. Bursts all larger than flak bursts

    Casualties: none

    Flying Equipment Failures: none

    Comments/suggestions:
    too foggy for safe t/o, landing guns for navigator [sic]

    Battle damage: Severe. Bullet in Gee box. Two holes in #2 engine

    326th Squadron
    229962 E
    #2 2nd element lead ship

    P 2 Lt. William B. Rose
    C 2 Lt. William B. Lock
    N 2 Lt. David E. Lewis
    B 2 Lt. Erro A. Michelson
    R T/Sgt. Francis Cline
    TT T/Sgt. William A. Gurke
    LW S/Sgt. Deith C. Kent
    BT S/Sgt. Frederick H. Gay
    RW S/Sgt. William R. Cornwell
    T S/Sgt. Walter E. Eilers

    Enemy opposition:
    Between 2-300 FW 190s, Me 109, JU 88, Me 110, Me 210. 88 all equipped with rockets. Plenty of them.

    Time, place & story of each encounter:
    One hour into target and one hour and ten minutes from target out very bad. Attacked from all positions. Our gunners described e/a... as flies. Rockets from JU 88s. Aerial bombing. Both inaccurate. E/a lobbing from rear... projectile which stuck in wing at #4 engine nacelle of lead ship second element. After one-half to minute engine caught fire and ship dropped back. Shell seemed to sit on wiring and burned brilliantly.

    Black and gray 109s. Some silver and all black for some 109s. JU 88s all black. Sitting at 8:00 and 3:00. Evasive action on element leader.

    Claims:
    1 destroyed
    3 probable
    check with damaged

    Fighter support: Fighter support good to 5030N 0720E when escort left. No record on way back.
    Ship five-ten minutes late

    Observations: none due to overcast

    Incidents with friendly a/c: 11 seen lost by e/a action. One... bird?... #4 engine on fire. Four chutes seen out and then exploded immediately behind this ship.

    Injuries to crew: none
    Radio operator Cline had bullet hole electric suit and flying jacket.

    Damage to a/c:
    two holes... door
    one hole radio room
    two holes #2 engine nacelle
    hole tail wheel near dorsel fin

    Technical failures:
    IFF out
    oxygen supply partially failed due to enemy fire
    BT failed; jammed from empty shells from radio gun
    #2 supercharger failed
    three guns out; malfunctioned
    eight jamming

    Crew comments: watch radio room door to prevent empty shells from jamming BT

    # bombs dropped on target: 6
    Jettisoned: 0
    Returned: 0

    Own bombs results: good
    Other bombing: good

    Any photos taken? no

    Ground targets attacked by gunfire: none
    Results: none

    Route: as ordered

    Weather if affected mission:
    ... on way out and back. Our target 2/10. Visibility 8 miles.

    Flak:
    near coast inaccurate and meager
    over Ruhr meager, inaccurate, out of range
    our target: meager, ... inaccurate and to altitude and deflection

    Crew observations about flak:
    [difficult to read as stapled]
    black bursts mainly 15-... red balls of fire seen. Large rocket...

    326th Squadron
    230580 N
    leading group

    1014 take-off
    1759 landing

    P Capt. J. Kemp McLaughlin
    C Col. Budd J. Peaslee
    N Capt. Harry A. Hughes
    N F/O Howard S. Eaton
    B 2 Lt. Edward S. O'Grady
    R T/Sgt. Vernon P. Brubaker
    TT T/Sgt. Marvin C. Eidson
    BT S/Sgt. Charles H. Van Horne
    RW S/Sgt. James L. Ford
    LW S/Sgt. John E. Foley
    T 1 Lt. Richard H. Sperry

    Enemy opposition:
    A mess! 250 e/a right around in close. Lots further away. JU 88s, Me 210s, Me 109s, FW 190s, one Me 110, one yellow-nosed FW and e/a attacked in series... and then s/e a/c. The heavy t/e e/a were firing rockets and closing closer. S/e attacked most. S/e attacked at times at nose while t/e attacked sides. T/e hit sides and tail. Ten to twelve t/e attacking abreast at these angles. Much 20 mm fired by t/e, too.

    P-47s left at 1340 after one-half hour with us at about 0610E-5100N e/a hit... They closed in from rear high 5-6:00 and then at 2,000 yards behind they split four ways to attack group in rear. At 1459 left us alone till bombs away. Then hit us again until leaving coast. Sporadic and not intensive. S/e e/a attacked for ten minutes e/a. T/e attacked rarely as... as s/e e/a.

    Flak:
    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1440 target 22,800 intermediate fair -- black --

    Report Unusual Phenomena:
    At 2,000 yards off each port beam several (three) s/e e/a dropped from 2,000 feet above us three smoke trails of grayish color followed by two to... dropped straight leaving smoking trails. This just before t/e e/a attacked.

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1440
      Altitude: 22,800
      Heading: 50° mag

    2. # of bombs dropped: 6x1000
      If not all, why?

    3. Bombs loaded on ship: 6x1,000s

    4. Height and colors of smoke or fires set:

    5. Did any missing a/c bomb target? No. All lost before target

    bombs hit
    one a/c salvoed just before target
    Our bombs hit soundly in target area. ... plastered. Had good bombing run. Target in bomb sight.

    Route Followed: -----

    Crew observations:
    At 4959N-0119E at 1651 a/c 306 group dropped bombs near French coast going out.

    Casualties: none

    Flying Equipment Failures:
    BT flying suit shorted out
    RW gloves shorted out

    Comments/suggestions:
    Don't send us far inland without fighter support all the way.

    Battle damage: holes in tail and hole behind #2 engine

    327th Squadron
    30638 N
    lead in low squadron

    1027 take-off
    1820 land at Little Staughton

    P Capt. W. J. Tucker
    C F/O C. R. Carlsen
    N 1 Lt. J. B. Liebman
    B 1 Lt. C. E. Bennett
    R T/Sgt. D. B. Stewart
    TT T/Sgt. R. H. Bragdon
    BT S/Sgt. T. R. Thurston
    RW S/Sgt. L. A. Kuhnz
    LW S/Sgt. M. I. Campbell
    TG S/Sgt. R. K. Gailey

    [enemy aircraft, fighter escort portions skipped]

    Flak:
    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1314 coast in 22,500 meager no no black following
    1370??? -- -- no black following
    1423 near Ruhr 22,500 moderate yes no black following
    barrage all over Ruhr
    1440 2300 [sic] 40 guns yes yes black, some red barrage

    Report Unusual Phenomena: In Ruhr five to ten miles away eight bursts of red with no black around red.
    Just after leaving target 1440 2300 [sic] over target. Lots of smoke right over the target while concentrated bursts were target was also just before target.

    Route followed: just formation

    Crew observations: smoke screen at Ludwigshaven

    Casualties: J. B. Liebman, navigator, wounded in left leg and left arm
    flak suit saved him
    not serious

    Crew Suggestions: bad ammunition caused guns to jam. Wouldn't fire at times. It was left out in rain. Green and moldy.
    Ran out of oxygen

    Battle damage:
    Yes. Hole in both wings
    rockets some flak
    one hole in tail
    one 20 mm in nose

    326th Squadron
    a/c 223171 S
    #3 first element, lead squadron

    P - 2 Lt. Frank W. Wolfe
    C - 2 Lt. Reamer G. Saunders
    N - 2 Lt. Milton Cohen
    B - 2 Lt. Sol H. Greenburg
    R - T/Sgt. Raymond M. Zygmunt
    T - T/Sgt. Victor D. Borassi
    BT - S/Sgt. Stanley H. Miskvsky
    R - S/Sgt. Richard L. Baker
    L - S/Sgt. Leslie E. McDaniel
    T - S/Sgt. Raymond A. Hayes

    1016 take-off
    1845land

    landed near Ship Lake

    Enemy opposition:
    1100
    extensive use of rockets
    Enemy use of friendly a/c: four P-47s used by the enemy

    Fighter support: On way as briefed. None on the way out.

    Flak:
    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1440 target 22,600 meager low right black predicted
    1440 target 22,600 intense varied varied light predicted

    Report Unusual Phenomena: none

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1440
      Altitude: 22,600
      Heading: 50° scribbled out, Pe... 20 British Brit DR 60 written in

    2. Did any missing a/c bomb target? Lt. explode... bombed in target area

    Route Followed: as briefed

    Crew observations:
    enemy use of four P-47s with brown fuselages and the rest dark, nearly black

    Casualties: none

    Comments/suggestions:
    Don't take off in weather that is prohibitive.
    Put mike buttons on flexible guns.
    Food on long missions
    hot... to the gun sight
    figure out way to hang radio nose gun so not to interfere with... sight [ring sight?]

    Battle damage: crash-landed. Salvage

    327th Squadron
    30648 U
    #3 lead element, low squadron

    1033 take-off
    1834 land at Duxford

    P - 1 Lt. Ellison Miles
    C - 1 Lt. J.C. Qua
    N - 2 Lt. V. E. Barnett
    B - S/Sgt. W. M. Toomey
    R - Sgt. R. E. Gentry
    TT - T/Sgt. L. L. Menkin
    BT - S/Sgt. G.D. Phillippe
    L - S/Sgt. H. E. Conrad
    R - Sgt. T. R. Buckingham
    T - S/Sgt. B. L. Murray

    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1315 5130-...E 22,000 meager low poor black predicted
    1442 target 23,200 intense good good black predicted

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1442
      Altitude: 23,200
      Heading: 50°

    Casualties: S/Sgt. W. M. Toomey killed by fragment of HE shell

    Comments/suggestions:
    Blankets around waist guns for night protection of wings and tail should be removed for day flying
    Impossible to form combat wing in that kind of weather

    Battle damage: severe

    326th Squadron
    230623 L
    lead second element lead squadron P - 2 Lt. Raymond W. Wild
    C - 1 Lt. Charles S. George
    N - 2 Lt. Walter E. Lydeck
    B - 2 Lt. Arthur J. Roth, Jr.
    R - S/Sgt. James O. Butts
    LW - S/Sgt. Jacob C. Batts
    BT - S/Sgt. Charles E. Oakes
    RW - S/Sgt. Edwin A. McCaffery
    TT - S/Sgt. Alfred A. Delahoussaye
    T - S/Sgt. Paul J. Robek

    no take-off time listed
    1803 landed

    Time Place Altitude Intensity Accuracy
    Altitude    		 for
    Deflection    		 Color Barrage or Predicated Following
    1312 5110N 0500E 22,000 meager low to left black predicted
    1322 5110N 0500E 22,000 meager good good black predicted
    1355 5035N 0715E 22,000 moderate high right black predicted
    1405 Lindberg 22,700 moderate good good black predicted
    1427 IP 22,400 moderate good good black predicted

    Report Unusual Phenomena: cherry red flak burst 5000 N 1030E at about 1443

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes, hit target in formation
      Time: 1440
      Altitude: 22,500
      Heading: 50°
    Casualties: none

    Comments/suggestions:
    No more long raids without long-range escort
    Ball turret froze up

    Battle damage: major

    407th Squadron
    23164 Q
    #3 lead element, high squadron

    1021 take-off
    1820 landed at Bassingborn

    P - 1 Lt. E. T. Sewall
    C - 2 Lt. H. A. Holmberg
    N - 2 Lt. J. W. Bush
    B - 2 Lt. D. F. Fitzgerald
    R - T/Sgt. J. M. Wing
    TT - T/Sgt. Paul Simms
    BT - S/Sgt. D. R. Miller
    RW - S/Sgt. A. J. Gallo
    LW - S/Sgt. D. W. Dufresne
    T - S/Sgt. E. M. Ambrose

    Flak: on Bassingborn report; no log here

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1441
      Altitude: 22,200
      Heading: 53°
    Casualties: slight injury to RO gunner from 20 mm shell

    Comments/suggestions:
    More fighter support. Give us heavier armament in tail. JU 88s stay back out of range and lob rockets into us and we can't hit 'em.

    Battle damage: moderate

    407th Squadron
    230716 G
    #2 lead...

    1012 take-off
    1805 land

    P - 2 Lt. William Brown
    C - 2 Lt. H. D. Peel
    N - 2 Lt. A. K. Slagle
    B - 2 Lt. R. I. Felsberg
    R - T/Sgt. J. M. Cross
    TT - T/Sgt. R. M. Brearley
    BT - S/Sgt. J. J. Harrington
    RW - S/Sgt. M. V. Gonzales
    LW - S/Sgt. R. C. Wright, Jr. T - S/Sgt. J. E. Ritzenthaler [handwritten in]

    Results of Bombing:

    1. Did you get over the target? Yes
      Time: 1439
      Altitude: 23,300
      Heading: 50° mag

  11. Height and Colors of smoke or fires set: smoke was seen rising to 2,000 feet from primary
    no bursts seen to be concentrated when a/c dropped

  12. Did any missing a/c bomb target? Major Ott's a/c

Route Followed

  1. Leaving English coast: Orfordness at 1230 1/2 at 18,500 feet
  2. Entering enemy coast: in to enemy coast 1305 at 22,500 at 5147-0334
  3. Leaving enemy coast: 5002-0128 at 1650 1/2 at 2,000
  4. Returning English Coast: just west of Beachy Head at 1712 at 9,000 feet

Crew observations: at Karlsruhe smoke screen which were not effective were observed

Casualties: S/Sgt. Harrington - BT - passed out from lack of oxygen

Flying Equipment Failures: electrical... [looks like short...] tail gunner burned out
electrical gloves of LWG burned out

Comments/Suggestions:
long-range fighters escort (P-38s should be escorting all way to target)

Battle damage
two holes in wings from bullets

Form for Aborted Aircraft

Lt. Gold
#494
407th Squadron

1027 take-off
1304 landed Bassingborne

runaway supercharger #3 engine 1147 hours
14 miles Northwest of Daventry
1300 landed Bassingborn on account of weather

6 1,000 lb. bombs returned to base

Route followed: flight plans

Observations: left blank

Encounters: left blank

Weather: top of clouds 5,000-6500 solid; nothing above

Casualties: None

Comments: The trouble with the supercharger is something that doesn't check out on the ground. Has to be done at altitude.

P - 2 Lt. J. W. Gold, Jr.
C - 2 Lt. W. R. Cosey
N - 2 Lt. H. C. Davis
B - 2 Lt. A. A. Carmell
R - T/Sgt. Stephen Rodowicz
TT - T/Sgt. G. C. Patterson
BT - S/Sgt. A. F. Foulkes
RW - S/Sgt. Herber Gebbers
LW - S/Sgt. E. D. Dowdon
T - S/Sgt/ W. L. Mason - tail

a/c 711 Y
1019 take-off
1440 land

15 miles E of Orfordness at 1235 18,000 feet #2 supercharger regulator was not functioning properly.

Brought back the 6 1,000s

Route followed: briefed route

Observations: none

Encounters: none

Weather: heavy overcast

Casualties: none

Comments: none

a/c 230711 Y
407th Squadron

P - 1 Lt. Frederic T. Prasse
C - 2 Lt. Joseph F. Thornton
N - 2 Lt. C. G. Murphy
B - 2 Lt. S. X. Lothschuetz
R - T/Sgt. Laurence E. Dennis
TT - T/Sgt. L. K. La Mar
BT - S/Sgt. D. S. Sommers
RW - S/Sgt. O. F. Trammer
LW - S/Sgt. C. H. Hartnett
T - S/Sgt. R. A. Galloway

Eighth Bomber Command Mission Details

    1. Fighter Support
      1st ATF
      one group P-47s long range from vicinity of 5130-0415E to limit of range on route out
      one group P-47s long range from vicinity of 4908-0355E to vicinity of 4940-0230 on route back
      four squadrons Spit IXs from vicinity of 4940-0230E to mid-channel
      four groups P-47s and eight squadrons of Spit IXs with second and third ATFs distributed at with first ATF

    2. Friendly Activity
      3rd Division on departing Clacton at zero hour to 5120-0321E to 5038-0602E to 4925-0707E to 4948-0955E to target
      same return route as 1st ATF

      3rd ATF, 2nd Division on GZ 2707 departing Orfordness at zero + 30 and following route of first ATF to and from target


  2. Targets and MPI

    1st ATF primary: GZ-2707
    MPI: -40th wing 073050/6
    1st wing 037055/6
    41st 030023/6
    Secondary: GZ-2707 center of city
    Last Resort: GS-38 MPI 055065/8
    Alt. LR: GH 633


    1. Composition of Forces
      1st ATF
      • 40th CBW leading
      • 1st 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 40th CBW
      Orfordness zero hour 20,000 feet
      5140-0340 0+22 minutes 23,000 feet
      P-47s 5130-0415E 0+29 minutes 23,000 feet
      5057-0608 0+53 minutes 23,000 feet
      5033-0707E 0+66 minutes 23,000 feet
      5023-0844E 0+85 minutes 23,000 feet
      IP 4948-0955E 0+103 minutes 23,000 feet
      target 0+108 minutes
      start descent 4954-1033E 0+112 minutes 21,000 feet
      4925-1022E 0+123 minutes 20,000 feet
      4913-0822E 0+150 minutes 20,000 feet
      4858-0602E 0+183 minutes 20,000 feet
      4904-0358E 0+211 minutes 20,000 feet
      Spits 4940-0230 0+233 minutes 20,000 feet
      5007-0128E 0+252 minutes start descent
      Beachy Head 0+274 minutes 9,000 feet

      Total distance Orfordness to Beachy Head: 833 nautical miles

      1CBW add three minutes to this schedule
      41CBW add six minutes to this schedule

    3. Special Instructions Regarding Routes and Speed

      Air division assembly line SPL start descent after target to 20,000. Maintain 2,000 [sic] feet to enemy coast. 1st and 2nd ATFs will fly division formations as near line abreast as possible while fighter support is present on penetration.

    4. Zero hour and date

      1230 BST
      14 Oct 1943

      S1. Bomb loadings and fusings

      40CBW6 1,000-lb. GP1/10, 1/40
      1 CBW6 500-lb. GP1/10, 1/40plus one bomb bay tank
      41 CBW3 1,000-lb. GP1/10, 1/40plus max M47 A1splus one bomb bay tank

      S2.Intervelometer settings: minimum


  4. Special Bombing Instructions

    Bombardiers are to study target and aiming points carefully as a heavy smoke screen is expected. Full... and filters for the bomb sight should be carried. A slight haze is expected to be present in the target area. Groups that are carrying a mixed load of GPs and IBs are to use the GPs as the principal bombs for aiming.


  5. Supplying: Normal


  6. Communications
    Splasher beacons 4D, 5E, 6F, 7G, 8H, 9I, 11J are in operation during the entire mission

    Gee information
    Eastern Wyoming and Southern Carolina chains on grade A and close operation entire mission

    MF D/F Affection...

    VHF information to follow

    Col. Peaslee is designated 1st ATF air commander.


    Special Instructions
    Crews will be instructed to transfer gas from bomb bay tank as soon as possible.

    CBWs will approach splasher 6 from the NW in order to avoid confusion with 3rd Division, which is assembling on line Splasher 7 to Clacton.

Additional to ¶1A. Fighter Support

One group P-38s will sweep Flushing area at time first and second ATFs are passing through this area on way to target.

Two squadrons Spit IXs will sweep area along route back from vicinity of 4940-0230E to mid-channel five minutes after last task force passes to this area to assist stragglers.


Annex to No. 1 field order 220

VHS Channels and Call signs

  1. For communication with P-47s, P-38s, VHS Channel D - American fighter-bomber channel

    Call Signs
    Bombers

    40 CBW phone box 1
    1 CBWphone box 2
    41 CBW phone box 3

    Fighters: haybank

    ground sector: warm sun

  2. Communications with Spits

    VHS channel C
    11 Group guard number 1.


    Call Signs

    Bombers
    40 CBW buckshot 1
    1 CBW buckshot 2
    41 CBW buckshot 3

    Fighters: dunlop

    Ground sector: ...

    Air Commander: rosebud


    Intelligence Annex to Field Order 220

    Target plants probably all camouflaged since last attack.

    Note Davgle herring bone painting on plant E in photos. Photos attached to report D-1677. Elaborate double ring smoke screen suspected around city and target areas since this is practically the whole sole industry of the city. Nearly all of its working population is engaged in this manufacture.

    Over 700 s/e and 400 t/e within 85-mile radius of route in and out.

    No friendly convoy activity should be visible on way in and out.

    Tides:

    GMP
    high0117
    low1321
    high0744
    low2015

    Advance info:
    40leading
    1second
    41 last

    [NOTE: More info on bombing followed.]


    From Combat Division 1 to all groups

    Secret sent in clear

    This air division today is the most important air operation yet conducted in this war. The target must be destroyed. It is of vital importance to the enemy. Your friends and comrades that have been lost and that will be lost today are depending on you. Their sacrifice must not be in vain. Good luck, good shooting and good bombing.

    Anderson


    Last updated 3-3-03 2119 est (0119 z)


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