351st Bomb Group

1. Target
   1. Name – Boiler & Generator Hall of EP
   2. Location – Breman
   3. Name of Secondary – Slip #2
   4. Location of Secondary – Wilhelmshaven
   5. Name of Last Resort – Any Industrial target this area.
   6. Location of Last Resort –
2. S-2 Enemy Pursuit Expected
   1. Number and Type – None
   2. Pictures and Short description of any new types –
3. Flak Officer – Flak Expected
   1. On Route In
   2. At Target
   3. On Route Back
4. General information of formation
   1. Wing formation – Column of Combat Wings 103, 101, 102
   2. Order of Groups in formation and altitude of each – 351 - 26,000' 91 - 27,000'
   3. Our formation for bombing – Defensive formation
   4. Pursuit coverage NONE Squadron of from to and Squadron of from to and Squadron from to
   5. Bomb Loading 5 - 1000 lb. bombs with 1/10 delay nose fuse and 1/40 delay tail fuse per airplane.
   6. IAS [Indicated Air Speed] for bombing will be 160 MPH.
5. Navigator
   1. Time Tick _______
   2. This Group Assembles with the 91Group on a line from _________to __________ at an altitude of 6,000' or 1,000' on top.
   3. Route out and times at check points.
   4. Climb will start at _______and altitude will be reached at ______.
   5. Axis of attack is _____
   6. Distance from IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] to Target is_____and time at IP is_____and time at Target is_____.
   7. Direction of turn and course after attack is to the_____to a course of_____. The rally point is_____
   8. Route back and times at check points.
   9. Point where descent will start is _____ Descent will be to _____feet.
   10. Total time for mission is______.
   11. Length of time over 10,000 feet is_____.
   12. Deadline for last take off is ______and the point to intercept the group is _____at _____feet.
6. Station – 1225
   Start engines – 1325
   Taxi – 1335
   Take off – 1350
   
7. Don't leave gun stations until reaching English Coast.
8. Point to airplane assignments and explain.
9. Weather Officer
   1. General Weather and visibility along entire Route is
   2. Weather and Visibility at IP and Target is
   3. Winds at cruising altitude are
   4. Temperature at cruising altitude is
   5. Pressure altitude at target is
10. A ______ flare will be fired at the IP.
11. S-2 [Intelligence] – Show Pictures and maps of the target. Have direction of attack laid out on maps and pictures. Any other comments that are desired. (Comments must be cleared with C.O. [Commanding Officer] first).
12. Any special instructions to all personnel. Lead tail gunner remain. Wear tin hats.
    
    Gunners, Radio operators, Navigators and Bombardiers leave the briefing room.
13. Comments to improve the formation and improve evasive action.
    CW [Combat Wing] in left echelon.
14. Climb at 150 IAS. [Indicated Air Speed]
    Cruise at 160 IAS
    Reform after attack at 155 IAS - "S" turns lose 1,000'.
    Descend at 170 IAS and 500 feet per minute.
15. Any questions on who takes over the lead at anytime? Between IP and target?
16. Special instructions in case of bad weather.
    Form on top? Let down on splasher 6
17. Call signs bomber to bomber:
    91 Group Badger 4
    351 Group Badger 5
    _____ Group ______
    _____ Group ______
    Collective call sign_______
    Recall ____________
18. Identification colors: Aldis [Signaling] Lamp
    91 Group RG [Red Green] - A
    351 Group RY [Red Yellow] - B
    _____ Group ______
    [Aldis Lamp codes:] Increase Speed - M, Decrease Speed - S, Close Formation - X, Lead A/C unable to bomb - continuous dots, Airplane in distress - continuous dots.
19. Bomber to bomber freq. 5165 kc [kilocycles].
20. Bomber to fighter channel None
21. Bomber to fighter call signs:
    1. Bombers None
    2. Fighters ___________
    3. Ground ___________
22. Turn on VHF [Very High Frequency Radio] at None
23. Colors of the day:

    Time	Color	Ident.	Challenge
    ____	____	_____	____
    ____	____	_____	____

24. Taxi plan for take off and landing, and spare airplanes.
25. Any questions. Use Docking [RAF airfield] if low on gas.
    3 A/C leave formation 10 minutes from coast.

1. Twenty-four (24) aircraft took off as scheduled. One, 42-29814, [Plane number should be 42-5814 B] aborted over the field because of engine trouble. Twenty-three (23) aircraft proceeded to the rendezvous point at CAMBRIDGE. The rendezvous and assembly was carried out as ordered. The 351st Bombardment Group left CAMBRIDGE leading the 101st Combat Wing.
2. When over the North Sea, the lead ship, 42-29849, pilot Major R. W. BURNS, aborted due to a power failure in the ball turret. The high squadron took over the lead as briefed. The group leader then became Captain J. R. BLAYLOCK in aircraft 42-29925.
3. The two (2) remaining spare airplanes turned back, as ordered, when they reached the point ten (10) minutes from the coastline. Airplane 42-29868, pilot Lt. J. P. Kern, aborted shortly afterward. This left nineteen (19) airplanes in the formation.
4. Airplane 42-29847, pilot Lt. R. W. ADAMS, dropped out of formation just short of the target and failed to attack. He was unable to hold formation due to engine trouble. He returned approximately the same time as the rest of the formation.
5. The Group proceeded behind the 103rd Combat Wing on a course to the primary target. An overcast extended from the coast south to the primary target. Captain BLAYLOCK followed the 103rd Combat Wing which turned right and attacked the secondary target Wilhelmshaven. The lead Bombardier, Lt. D. P. VAN BRUNT, failed to drop on WILHELMSHAVEN, in the belief that the Wing ahead was turning to the primary target - Bremen. The run, however, was on course over the submarine slips at WILHELMSHAVEN. Because of this, some of the bombardiers in the rear of the group, in the belief there had been a malfunction in the lead ship, dropped on the target. The remainder of the group dropped on a small village west of Wilhelmshaven. None of our cameras functioned, and the observed results are conflicting. The results as a whole are probably poor.
6. The 351st and the 91st Groups comprising the 101st Combat Wing rallied as briefed after the attack. The 101st Combat Wing followed the 103rd Combat Wing away from the target area, and proceeded on course behind two groups of the 103rd Combat Wing. The third group of the 103rd Combat Wing left the formation on a westerly heading, apparently suffering heavy attacks.
7. Fighter attacks began at a point southwest of Heligoland. These attacks continued until the group was about fifty (50) miles off the German coast on the trip home. The attacks were frequent and sustained. Our crews reported approximately one hundred twenty-five (125) fighters of all types. Attacks were mainly from 10 to 2 o’clock and level. Our Crews reported no attempts at Aerial Bombing. Flak was slight to moderate and inaccurate.
8. The group suffered casualties as shown in our Casualty Report.
9. All of our airplanes returned. One 42-29825, pilot Lt. M.A. PINKERTON, landed at Soulthorpe because of battle damage.

1. The Group took off at 1450 and rendezvous with the 91st Bomb Group over Cambridge at 1530.
2. Rendezvous was made with the 1st Bomb Wing on a line Ely to Louth and the Wing departed from Louth at the zero hour (1600).
3. The Group Leader aborted at 1632 and the lead was taken by the Deputy Group Leader, Captain John R. Blaylock.
4. The lead wing was too close to the Frisian Islands, so the Combat Wing proceeded on a heading different from that given in the flight plan.
5. The Primary Target was overcast, and as a result, a run was made on Wilhelmshaven, the Secondary Target.
6. The return was made on the course prescribed by the flight plan. The Combat Wing left the lead wing off the Frisian Islands and followed the flight plan to base.
7. The results of using the Splasher Beacons were good.

1. The lead ship (42-29849), aborted at 1632 and A/C 42-29925 took the lead. The formation was then about fifty (50) miles off the coast of England.
2. The target area was approached at 1755. The Bremen area was overcast and so the lead Wing set a course towards Wilhelmshaven, (T.H. 1700) which was the Secondary Target.
3. Evasive action was taken during the bombing run. The lead wing turned slightly to the left after going over Wilhelmshaven. No bombs were observed by the Bombardiers, and it was assumed that the lead wing was making a bomb run on Bremen. A few seconds after the group was synchronized on the target, bombs were observed hitting in the target area. It was then too late to drop bombs on this target and as there were no nearby targets of opportunity, the bombs were salvoed. Hits were unobserved. It is believed that the bombs landed ten (10) to twelve (12) miles southwest of the target.
4. After leaving Wilhelmshaven, the Tail Gunner of the lead ship reported that several ships in the Combat Wing had dropped bombs - some in the target area.
5. An attack could have been made against Emden, but after learning that many planes in the Combat Wing had already dropped their bombs, such an attack would have been foolhardy, as flak over that area was intense and fighters were numerous.

1. Maximum effort was ordered for this group for June 11, 1943 for a mission over Bremen, Germany. Twenty-four (24) A/C took off and Eighteen (18) bombed. The Group proceeded behind the 103rd C. W. on course to the primary target. An overcast extended from the coast S to the primary. The Group Leader followed the 103rd C.W. which turned right and attacked the secondary target. The lead bombardier of this group failed to bomb the secondary in the belief that the lead wing was turning to the primary. The run was on course over the secondary and some bombardiers in this group, believing that they had a malfunction in the lead ship, dropped on this target. The remainder dropped on a village, probably Aurich, W of the secondary. None of our cameras functioned properly and the results are conflicting and in many cases unobserved.
2. Flak was light to moderate and generally inaccurate and low.
3. E/A opposition was the strongest ever encountered by this group, crews reporting from 100-150 enemy fighters. Mostly they were FW 190 and ME 109. A few crews saw a flight of JU 88's which never came in for attacks. There was no air to air bombing reported. The FW 190's and ME 109's were generally camouflaged for high altitude fighting and some yellow and red markings were seen. E/A first attacked our A/C over the islands on the run in and kept up continuous opposition until after the islands on the route back: FW 190's came in for most of the attacks, which were generally from below and level from 9 to 3 o'clock. There were a few tail attacks, however. One crew reported seeing what they believed was a B-17 operated by the enemy join the formation, stay with it over enemy territory and turn back as our A/C left the coast. A fighter with elliptical wings escorted the B-17 back into enemy territory. The crew observing this said that the A/C did not seem to be in any trouble from appearances.
4. This Group has 23 claims: 14 destroyed, 3 probables and 5 damaged. One claim is being held up because the gunner is in the hospital and has been under anesthesia. When it is possible to talk to the man the claim will be filed. An explanatory note to this effect has gone to the Wing S-2 with the Combat reports.

• A/C No. 152;     Time 1806;     Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – 20 miles West of Aurich, Germany
  Story of attack: E/A came in and I fired at him from 500 – 50 yards. I saw my fire hit E/A which stalled, smoking and flaming. He went down in a spin and crashed. A large flame from the explosion was seen by Ball Turret Gunner.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. E.F. Meyer, Bombardier –  Corroborated by S/Sgt W.J. McMahon, Ball Turret Gunner –  Other A/C firing at same time? No –  Comments of the interrogator – Yes
• A/C No. 152;    Time 1814;     Height 18,000 feet;    Place where attacked – 20 miles NW of island of Juist, Germany
  Story of attack: E/A came in high from 10 o’clock. I shot at him from 700 – 100 yards, tracers entering his fuselage which began to smoke badly. I saw him go into an easy spiral. The tail gunner saw it hit the water.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt. W.J. McMahon, Ball Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by S/Sgt E.C. Thomas, Tail Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 603;    Time 1805;     Height 18,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Just over Frisian Islands.
  Story of attack: FW 190 was approaching at about eight o’clock. I started firing at about 1000 yards and saw him hit. He started smoking and went into steady dive out of control.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: T/Sgt. E. Atwood, Top Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by S/Sgt. R.F. Martin, Radio Operator/Gunner –  Other A/C firing at same time? None –  Comments of the interrogator – Very good claim
• A/C No. 603;    Time 1810;    Height 18,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Just over Frisian Islands.
  Story of attack: One FW 190 was turning parallel to the formation and I started firing at about 700 yards. He was hit and lost control and rolled off in a tight spin and went into sea.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt. L.N. Shenk, Left Waist Gunner –  Corroborated by S/Sgt. J B. McGee, Right Waist Gunner –  Other A/C firing at same time? None –  Comments of the interrogator – A positive claim.
• A/C No. 603;    Time 1815;     Height 18,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Island of Norderney.
  Story of attack: Two planes (FW 190’s) came in from two o’clock. I started firing at about 600 yards. I saw that I hit him and he dived straight into the sea. I saw him splash, very probably hit the pilot.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: T/Sgt T.B. Dye –  Corroborated by S/Sgt. J. B. McGee, Right Waist Gunner –  Other A/C firing at same time? None known –  Comments of the interrogator – I would say that this is a certain claim.
• A/C No. 812;    Time 1807;    Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Just leaving target.
  Story of attack: A FW 190 broke away from formation and came to within 200 yards of our A/C. I fired about 75 rounds at 6 o’clock. I saw bullets start behind cockpit and go forward through cockpit. Smoke came from cowling and he fell into a spin. I could not follow him all the way down.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt. H.W. Welsh, Harvey, Tail Gunner –  Corroborated by [None] –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 812;    Time 1811;     Height 25,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Over coast on course back.
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in at 1 o’clock and passed 100 yards below our A/C. I began to fire. The plane began to disintegrate. Both the Co-Pilot and Bombardier saw pilot bail out.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. L.B. Marquardt, Navigator –  Corroborated by 2nd Lt. F.M. Stone, Bombardier and F.F. Homstad, Co-Pilot –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 817;    Time 1813;     Height 25,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Near enemy coast on route home.
  Story of attack: FW 190 was above at 11 o’clock about 200 yards away. I fired and E/A [Enemy Aircraft] fell into spin smoking, with flames coming out. I followed him down and I did not see him pull out. Top Turret in A/C 826 also saw him falling towards water in spin.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: T/Sgt L.R. Birkley, Top Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by T/Sgt C.F. Armstrong, Radio Operator/Gunner and S/Sgt E.K. Dearth Top Turret Gunner in A/C 826. –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 825;    Time 1815;    Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – On return, 15 minutes after “Bombs away.”
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in from 12 o’clock as close as 75 ft. I followed him in and started firing when he was 300 yards away. He then banked to the right and as he went under the wing he was on fire. Pilot (Pinkerton) says ship acted as if pilot was hit. Adams (Waist Gunner) saw FW hit the water.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: T/Sgt J.W. Gipson, Top Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by 1st Lt. M.A. Pinkerton, Pilot and S/Sgt L.E. Adams, Right Waist Gunner –  Other A/C firing at same time? None  –  Comments of the interrogator – Good claim. This B-17 due to two inoperative engines was far behind the formation at the time. No other B-17 could have been shooting at the enemy A/C in question at the time.
• A/C No. 825;    Time 1825;     Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Over enemy coast coming home.
  Story of attack: A Ju 88 came in from 6 o’clock to 700 yards. I fired long bursts and enemy A/C fell into [unreadable] bank with tail shot off. Ball Turret gunner saw it crash into sea.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt. C.A. Langseth, Tail Gunner –  Corroborated by T/Sgt. J.W. Gipson, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, S/Sgt. L.R. Adams Right Waist Gunner and S/Sgt. H.W. Marvin, Ball Turret Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – [Unreadable]
• A/C No. 825;    Time 1830;    Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – 10 minutes after crossing [unreadable] coast on return
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came within 400 yards from left side. I fired and saw tracers enter E/A. I followed E/A until it crashed into sea. Pilot did not bail out. Radio operator said it hit the water.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt. F.A. Rush, Left Waist Gunner –  Corroborated by S/Sgt. L.E. Adams, Right Waist Gunner and T/Sgt. S.A. Rossi, Radio Operator/Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – [Unreadable]
• A/C No. 826;    Time 1756;    Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – On course over I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run]
  Story of attack: I saw a FW 190 come in low at 3 o’clock. After firing from 1000 yards until 300 yards his tail and wing tip fell off and the E/A fell down on fire. I lost sight of it at 18,000 feet.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt. Robert Conley, Ball Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by T/Sgt Roscoe Pierson, Right Waist Gunner (his guns were out so he followed the plane). –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 826;    Time 1801;    Height 25,000 feet;    Place where attacked – On course just leaving enemy islands.
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in low at our A/C at 11 o’clock at 400 yards. I shot at him and as he came in closer pieces of his ship began to fall off. Lt. Turley saw a parachute when the ship fell into a spin.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. D.F. Stevens, Bombardier –  Corroborated by 2nd Lt. J. Turley, Co-pilot and 2nd Lt. C.R. Bryant Jr., Navigator –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 831;    Time 1803;    Height 23,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Over water, 5 minutes after target.
  Story of attack: Two FW’s made a diving attack from one o’clock. The first peeled off to our right at 750 yards but no. 2 came right in at 12 o’clock. He open at 600 yards and I opened up. At 300 yards smoke came from engine cowling, at 100 yards he was enveloped in smoke, the flames came out of the engine. I followed him down over 10,000 feet. He was still diving upside down and burning.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. E.P. Saker, Bombardier –  Corroborated by F/O C.R. Simmons, Co-Pilot –  Comments of the interrogator – Story told vividly and convincingly.
• A/C No. 839;   Time 1820;   Height 23,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Just on coast on course out.
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came across the nose from 1 o’clock, a little below and diving down. He came in to within 100 yards. I shot at him and saw E/A catch on fire and burn in air.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. J.D. Bradley, Bombardier –  Corroborated by 2nd Lt. W. Stockman, Navigator, S/Sgt E.C. Smith, Right Waist Gunner and 1st Lt. H.F. Hansen, Pilot –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 839;    Time 1830;    Height 18,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Over water past islands on route out.
  Story of attack: I saw a FW 190 flying on same heading as our A/C. He was last of 3 E/A going in same direction and was about 300 yards away. I kept firing at him and saw him break out of formation. He went straight down and into haze.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. W. Stockman, Navigator –  Corroborated by - [None] –  Other A/C firing at same time? May have been others. –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 848;   Time 1812;   Height 25,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Coming out on course.
  Story of attack: A FW came from below at 5 o’clock and leveled off at 6’o’clock. I fired at 300 yards for about 100 rounds steady. It was a direct hit. Smoke and flames came from the engine. The E/A peeled off and went down in a spin. I saw him crash with an explosion that looked like a bomb.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt A. Warden, Tail Gunner –  Corroborated by S/Sgt. J.W. Keen, Ball Turret Gunner –  Other A/C firing at same time? None –  Comments of the interrogator – Very good claim.
• A/C No. 848;    Time 1815;   Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – On return [unreadable]
  Story of attack: FW 190 closed in level at 3 o’clock to about 400 yards, he started to turn left and I caught him right in the cockpit. He exploded and went down in smoke and flames. [Next sentence unreadable]
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt. L.E. Adams, R Waist Gunner –  Corroborated by [Names unreadable] Top Turret Gunner & Left Waist Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – Good claim. This B-17 due to two inoperative engines, was far behind the formation. No other B-17 could have been firing at the enemy A/C in question at the time.
• A/C No. 851;    Time 1755;   Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – On course 10 miles before target.
  Story of attack: I saw a FW 190 come in at 5o’clock (started in at 4 o’clock but changed to 5 o’clock, at 2,000 feet I shot at him and he peeled off. The tail gunner saw him fall in flame and hit the water.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: T/Sgt. P.G. Hulse, Top Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by S/Sgt T.C.Wallace, Tail Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 851;   Time 1807;   Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Going out from target on course
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in at 8 o’clock and I fired at him at 300 – 100 yards. He fell over in white smoke and after trying to bank left fell into flame. The tail gunner in our A/C and the tail gunner in ship 141 saw it hit the water.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: T/Sgt K.L. Huls, Ball Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by T/Sgt T. C. Wallace, Tail Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – S/Sgt. Clem Pine, tail gunner in A/C 141
• A/C No. 851;   Time 1810;    Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Over coast on course on route back.
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in low at 11 o’clock. I shot at it and the E/A burst into flames. He turned his belly towards us and began rolling. The Ball Turret and Tail Gunner saw E/A go into a spin and hit the water.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt C.L. Maze, Navigator –  Corroborated by T/Sgt. K.L. Huls, Ball Turret, S/Sgt. T.C. Wallace, Tail Gunner, S/Sgt. Clem Pine, Tail Gunner A/C 141, S/Sgt. J. Lodge, Ball Turret Gunner A/C 141 –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 852;   Time 1805;   Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Over target.
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in head on slightly high. The top turret gunner and I began to fire. The tail gunner saw the E/A go down and crash.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. W.A. Winter, Bombardier –  Corroborated by Sgt. A. Fullin, Top Turret Gunner and F.O. D.R. Joyce, Co-Pilot –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 877;   Time Approx 1800;   Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Between Wilhelmshaven and Aurich
  Story of attack: The FW 190 came in from 12 o’clock and level. I shot and hit it and it burst into flame. It rolled over and went past and over the left wing, still burning. Some of its shells hit us. The Navigator saw it fire and the tail gynner saw the plane going by his station in flames.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: 2nd Lt. J.B. Mason, Bombardier –  Corroborated by 2nd Lt. A. Lazerson, Navigator, S/Sgt L. Owens, Tail Gunner and T/Sgt B.L. Almy, Radio Operator –  Other A/C firing at same time? None  –  Comments of the interrogator – Told with absolute conviction. Plane’s position out of formation. Claim conclusive.
• A/C No. 882;   Time 1808;   Height 26,000 feet;    Place where attacked – Coming back between target and coast.
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in from 3 o’clock and peeled off when about 500 yards away and went down almost to ground. He was obviously out of control, as first he was in a dive, then, he seemed to turn up and skid on his tail.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: S/Sgt M.M. Keniston, Ball Turret Gunner –  Corroborated by S/Sgt. J.R. Edwards, Right Waist Gunner and T/Sgt. D.F. Keller, Radio Operator/Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – [None]
• A/C No. 882;   Time 1815;    Height 26,000 feet;     Place where attacked – Over water just off enemy coast
  Story of attack: A FW 190 came in at 11 o’clock to within 100 yards. As I was firing I could see the markings on E/A [Enemy Aircraft]. I saw him go all the way down and crash in water between mainland and islands. I saw the pilot bail out.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A: L. Waist Gunner – D.H. Klees, S/Sgt –  Corroborated by J.R. Edwards, S/Sgt – R Waist Gunner –  Comments of the interrogator – Very good claim.

1. Route followed. – Albe Mellum Wilhelmshaven…[unreadable]
2. Visibility at Target (Any condensation trails?) - [unreadable]
3. No. of A/C over Target: 18
4. General Axis of attack. (From lead A/C if possible) - 180°
5. How long did formation fly straight and level before bombing? – 30 seconds
6. Turn after bombing. - 90° West
7. What evasive action was taken? – "S"-ing – some loss of altitude.
8. A short description of Flak en route (if any), and at the Target, including if possible a suggestion as to type of fire control employed - i.e. Continuous following, predicted concentrations predicted barrages, or fixed barrages.
   - Meager inaccurate flak over Aurich, Juist, Alte Mellum and East of Wesermunde [Bremerhaven]. Moderate to intense flak over Wilhelmshaven at 26,000 feet - mostly inaccurate for both height and deflection. Both black and white bursts were observed, and some of the black bursts appeared unusually large. No indication of predicted concentrations or barrages.
9. Any other Convents, phenomena, etc. - None

The following is a summary of crew comments for the Mission of 11 June 1943.

1. A/C No. 831 - "A/C 877 came down diving on us over target; bomb bay doors straddled our tail. We threw ammunition all over ship avoiding him."
2. A/C No. 152 - Guns in very poor condition. Ammunition in tail greasy and dirty. This was not our own A/C."
3. A/C No. 852 - Eliminate G-11 solenoids. Group formation should be better.
4. A/C No. 874 - Improvised wooden ammunition boxes are entirely unsatisfactory.
5. A/C No. 877 - Lt. A. Lazerson, Navigator – Need means of signaling when going to different target. Bombs on this mission were dropped at random near town of Aurich.
6. A/C No. 925 - Capt. J. Blaylock, Pilot Lt. Van Brunt, Navigator – More instructions on Deputy planes. More Instructions on primary and alternate targets wanted.
7. A/C No. 839 - Heavy woolen mittens needed, the electric mittens burn hands.
8. A/C No. 150 - Formation today was very poor. Also flaps not properly adjusted for the third mission in a row.

Follow up story, Mission, 11 June 1943. Unescorted flying fortresses from this station today raided the important u-boat slips at Wilhelmshaven. Weather throughout the mission was hazy and the target was only rarely visible. This coupled with the largest concentration of enemy fighters this group has met to date, prevented crews of the fortresses from determining exact results of the bombing. "I don't know what we hit but we certainly dropped a helluva lot of bombs near the target, "said 1st lt. Henderson Cagle, of Eldorado, Ark., pilot of "Hitler’s Headache." his plane was hit twice by enemy bullets, both cartridges puncturing the word 'Hitler.' no one was injured. T/Sgt Kenneth L. Huls, of Perkins, Okla., ball turret gunner on "Argonaut III," claims shooting down two enemy fighters and indications are that he will be credited with them officially. "A Focke-Wulf came in low and almost head on from about 2,000 yards out," Huls said. "I gave him short bursts and saw him catch fire and start twisting and turning. At about 300 yards he dropped down out of my sight. "My tail gunner reported seeing him go down in flames. “The other I got was also a FW," Huls continued. He came in from the same direction and distance but he was banked over on his left wing as we approached. I kept firing and when he was about 800 yards away flames shot out of his motor and he went into a steep dive. Two gunners from another fortress have reported seeing him go down." Philip G. Hulse (no relation), of Colorado Springs, Colo. top turret gunner on the same bomber, got his first enemy plane today. It was a Focke-Wulf," Hulse said, "and he didn't look like he was paying any attention to us. But he suddenly turned and came in high and from above. I gave him three short bursts and when he was about 500 yards away he started to flame and went into a steep dive. My tail gunner watched him dive down until he almost reached the water." Another top turret gunner who got his first enemy plane today was T/Sgt. Leroy E. Birkely of Dayton, Ky. Asked how it felt to get his first one, Birkely replied: ''Well, I shot me a quail this morning and a German this afternoon, so I figure I had a pretty good day." Claims that 21 other German fighters were destroyed are now under investigation.

1. Our A/C 603 reports observing a yellow dinghy at sea at approximately 53° 30' N - 3° 00' E. The time of observation was 1900 hours. The number of persons in the dinghy was not seen.
2. Our A/C 152 reports observing an unidentified B-17 from the Group ahead of ours make a water landing just off the German coast on the course back from target The time of observation was at 1800 hours, and four (4) parachutes were seen to open.
3. A/C 848 of our Group reports an unidentified B-17 trying to make a water landing, at approximately 53° 55' N - 7° 25' E at 1833 hours. This A/C was from the Group following ours.
4. A/C 150 observed A/C 825 of our Group leave formation over the target with its #2 engine on fire, and fall into the formation of the Group behind ours. This plane later was reported safe at Soulthorpe without casualties, but in a badly damage condition.

1. 2nd. Lt. Frederick L. Angel, 0-735963, 511th Squadron, Navigator on A/C 150 received penetrating and severe gun-shot wounds through right thigh, leg and feet. Extensive hemorrhage caused death.
2. S/Sgt Walfred Putaansuu, 36194399, 510th Squadron, Tail Gunner on A/C 843 received gun-shot wound through skull. Bodies will be removed to Brockwood cemetery.

1. 2nd Lt. Douglas L. Sheets, 0-732987, 510th Squadron, Bombardier on A/C 874 received penetrating flak wound in right hand; penetrating flak wound in right upper thigh. Sent to 160th Station hospital.
2. 2nd. Lt. Benjamin C. Fincher, 0-734795, 511th Squadron, Bombardier on A/C 150, received multiple small flak wounds in lower leg and 2nd. degree burns on right hand. Sent to 160th Station hospital.
3. S/Sgt. August F. Warden, 19113971, 510th Squadron, LW Gunner on A/C 848 received penetrating flak wound in right thigh. Sent to 160th Station hospital.
4. 2nd. Lt. Leonard Bigelow 0-735512, 511th Squadron, Co-Pilot on A/C 877 received small penetrating 20 mm shell wound in right ankle. He will remain here.

1. Ship #868 - Time 1627 - Location - 53°50'N - 02°00'E - Left Ball Turret solenoid shorted out - left Top Turret solenoid lead broken off at solenoid. Right hand Top Turret gun doesn't feed right. [Signed:] Jack P. Kern, 1st Lt.
2. Ship #849 – Time 1635 - Location - 54°10'N - 01°59'E - The power supply in the Ball Turret failed (shorted out) resulting in not being able to move turret at all. [Signed:] R.W. Burns, Major, Pilot
3. Ship #814 – Time 1515 – Location - Over Field - #2 Oil cooler out. [Signed:] W. T. Forest, 1st Lt.

1. Total No. A/C in each Squadron and Letters of each:

   Sqdn 508th A/C: 826 – H, 141 – A, 817 – D, 851 – J, 814 – B, 868 – K, 882 – L	(7)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 9812 – U, 630 – S, 684 – T,	(3)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 925 – L, 843 – D, 839 – C, 152 – A, 874 – J, 831 – H, 848 – F,	(7)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 849 – U, 825 – Z, 847 – T, 852 – V, 603 – R, 150 – Q, 877 – X,	(7)

2. Target: Boiler & Generator Hall of E.P., Bremen, Germany
   
3. Station call sign and Operational call sign respectively of each Squadron

   Squadron	508 Ops:	3DB		Squadron	510 Ops:	OD8
   	Sta:	Wild Cheer			Sta:	Worm Track
   Squadron	509 Ops	3DB		Squadron	511 Ops:	OD8
   	Sta:	Knitwell			Sta:	Shudder

4. Taxi Time – 1st A/C 1435;     Take-Off Time 1st A/C 1450;     E.T.D. Over Field 1515

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1602	6,000 Ft	53°27'N - 0°11'E

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1848	26,000 Ft	Juist Island

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1959	3,000 Ft	Cromer

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 2016 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: D
10. Bomb load of Each A/C:
    Squadron: 508 5–1000 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    Squadron: 509 5–1000 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    Squadron: 510 5–1000 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    Squadron: 511 5–1000 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
11. Fuel Load of each A/C: 1700 Gals
12. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:

    Squadron	A/C Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	826–H	1459½	2025	509	9812–U	1504	2024
    	141–A	1508½	2027		630–S	1503	1702
    	817–D	1500	2026		684–T	1502	1707
    	851–J	1457	2028
    	814–B	1459	1524
    	868–K	1457	1740
    	882–L	1501	2029
    510	925–L	1453	2019	511	849–U	1450	1731
    	843–D	1454	2015		825–Z	1451
    	839–C	1453	2020		847–T	1450	2003½
    	152–A	1454	2021		852–V	1451	2022½
    	874–T	1455	2013		603–R	1452	2023
    	831–H	1455	2021½		150–Q	1504	2021
    	848–F	1456	2007		877–X	1452	2012

    630-S & 684-T Spare A/C - Returned as Planned
    814-B - #2 Oil Cooler Out - Returned 1524
    868-K - Left Ball Turret Solenoid Shorted, Left Top Turret Lead broken off - Aborted 1627hrs.
    849-U - Power Supply in Ball Turret Failed and couldn't move turret at all.
    825-Z - Missing at time of landing with rest of Group
    Report Compiled By C.A. Blanchard S/Sgt.

 A maximum effort was ordered against an electric plant in Bremen. Twenty-four planes took off led by Major Burns and Major Wurzbach with Lt. Shaw as navigator and Lt. Wallace as bombardier. About 150 FW 190s and ME 109s jumped the formation over Germany, coming in for close attacks at nose, waist, and tail. These attacks caused much damage, especially to 42-29843, piloted by Lt. R. E. Smith, in which S/Sgt. Putaansuu, the tail gunner, was killed. Lt. Norris’ ship, 42-3150, was badly hit in the nose, killing the navigator, Lt. Angel.

 On this raid it was first reported that a B-17 was being used by the Germans to fly along with the formation to gather information. This report proved to be correct.