351st Bomb Group

1. Roll Call and Airplane Assignments.
2. Target:
   1. Name – Villacoublay Air Field
   2. Location – Villacoublay, Paris
   3. Name of Secondary – Airfield
   4. Location of Secondary – Caen
   5. Name of Last Resort – None
   6. Location of Last Resort – None
3. General Information On Formation
   1. Wing formation – 102nd C.W. [Combat Wing], 101st C.W.
   2. Order of Groups in formation and altitude of each – 381, 91, 351, Lead at 23,000', 351 at 24,000'
   3. Our formation for bombing – Group Defensive
4. Pursuit Coverage - 1. - 4 Squadrons of Spit [Spitfire] IX's rendezvous 5 mi. North of Fecamp at 0944 at 24,800;, close support to Evreux.
   2. - 2 Squadrons of Spit IX's will free lance in the Beaumont area.
   3. - 8 Squadrons of Spit V;s (clip wing) will escort from Mezidon at 0858 at 13,000' withdraw to English Coast.
   4. - One Squadron of Spit V's on Air Sea rescue off Caen.
5. Diversions - 4th Wing will attack Le Bourget ten minutes ahead of 1st Wing.
   R.A.F. bombers coming home as we leave.
   103rd C.W. same zero [hour] (0715)
6. Navigator -
7. Stations – 0405
   Start Engines – 0505
   Taxi – 0515
   Take off – 0539
   
8. Don't leave gun stations until over England - Bring up 80 fighters over channel after LeMans.
9. Weather -
10. S-2 [Intelligence] –
11. 1. Bomb Load is – 16 x 300
    2. IAS [Indicated Air Speed] for bombing is – 155
    3. IP Signals are:
       1. Aldis Lamp
       2. Red Flares
       3. Voice on 5165
    4. Open Doors - on Group Leader
12. Special Briefing for all Officers of lead crews in Group S-2 [Intelligence]
13. Special instruction to all personnel:
    No indiscrimate bombing. No Shooting at Spits [Spitfires]
    
    Gunners, Radio operators, Navigators and Bombardiers leave the briefing room.
14. Comments to improve the formation and improve evasive action.
    Wing men down in Lead Squadron.
15. Climb at 150 IAS. [Indicated Air Speed]
    Cruise at 160 IAS
    Reform after attack at 155 IAS
    Descend at 170 IAS and 500 feet per minute.
16. Any questions on who takes over the lead at anytime?
17. Special instructions in case of bad weather: Splasher 9 for let down
18. Call signs:
    

    V.H.F.			5165
    101 C.W. [Combat Wing]	Windbag 1		91 Group	Goonchild Red
    103 C.W.	Windbag 2		351 Group	Goonchild White
    102 C.W.	Windbag 3		381 Group	Goonchild Blue

19. Identification colors:
    

    101 C.W.	RR [Red Red]		_____ Group	______
    102 C.W.	YY		_____ Group	______
    103 C.W.	GG		_____ Group	______

20. Bomber to Bomber freq. 5165 kc [kilocycles].
21. VHF Channel (Bomber to Fighter) - C
22. Bomber to Fighter Call Signs:
    1. Bombers - Windbag
    2. Fighters - ____
    3. Ground - Petro
    4. Collective Call - Nature
    5. Recall - Tomboy
    6. Abandon Ops - ____
23. Turn on VHF [Very High Frequency Radio] at English Coast
24. Colors of the day:

    Time	Color	Ident.	Challenge
    0200 - 0800	RY	Y	L
    0800 - 1400	RG	S	D
    1400 - 2000	GG	Z	W

25. Taxi Plan.
26. Spare Ship Plan.
27. Any questions?

1. The Group was briefed at 0200. Twenty airplanes took off as scheduled. Two of these were spare airplanes and were briefed to return at mid-channel if there were no abortives.
2. Take-off was at 0530. The assembly with the 101st C.W. [Combat Wing] was made without incident. The 351st Group was flying as the high combat box of the combat wing. Major Ledoux, in A/C 29863, was leading.
3. Three aircraft returned early before reaching the enemy coast. Seventeen aircraft were then left in the formation.
4. The spitfire escort failed to appear on the way into the target. Enemy fighters were first seen at 0808. These fighters were ME109's, FW190's, and a few JU88's. They attempted to pass themselves off as friendly fighters by tipping their wings and flying as though they were giving fighter cover. They then began their attacks. These attacks were mostly from the tail, after the initial nose attacks. In some cases they were closely pressed home.
5. The weather began to close in as the formation approached the target area. The frontal system was well defined, and consisted of ten tenths overcast in the target area. No attempt was made to bomb either the primary or the secondary, and the formation started for England.
6. The withdrawal support of Spit V's picked up the returning bombers in mid-channel, shortly after the enemy fighters had broken off their attacks.
7. All of our airplanes returned.

1. The 351st Bomb Group departed from Base as briefed and made the first two designated rendezvous. The Wing formation was joined according to schedule.
2. Due to bad weather the Wing separated near Oxford and rejoined on a line between Splasher #11 and Selsey Bill.
3. Altitude was obtained before leaving the English Coast, but the Wing departed from St Catherine's instead of Selsey Bill, as planned.
4. No bombs were dropped as primary and secondary targets were obscured.
5. Returned to Base as briefed.

1. No bombs were dropped on this Mission. A heavy overcast made it impossible to see the Target. All planes returned with their bombs on board.
2. Due to the failure to successfully complete the Mission as planned, the following reports are not submitted.
   1. Bombardier's Log.
   2. Combat Bombing Flight Record.
   3. Altitude Chart.
   4. Group Bombing Plot Report.
   5. WD AC Form 12C Modified for Combat
   [Signed] Harvey H. Wallace, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Group Bombardier

1. The primary target for the mission was Villacoublay, with Caen as secondary target. Because of 10/10ths cloud over both target areas no bombs were dropped.
2. Twenty (20) A/C [Aircraft] were dispatched on the mission: three (3) returned early: a/c 5812 at 0755 turned back at 49°45'N, 00°21'E, after being forced out of formation and being unable to regain position; a/c 106 turned back at 0800, 52°00'N, 01 °00'W, with oil leak in No. 1 engine to such an extent that feathering was almost impossible; a/c 150 at 0650 over London, with oxygen on left side of ship from bomb bay back being out.
3. This Group claims 6 e/a [enemy aircraft] destroyed, 4 probably destroyed, 2 damaged. Enemy attacks averaged between 35 and 100, with FW-190s, Me-109s, and JU-88s all being seen. One of our crew members was injured during the attacks, and other suffered burns from the wiring on his equipment. Most attacks were at the nose, then through and under the formation turning back to attack our planes at the 6 o'clock position. Our planes all returned safely.
4. Meager to moderate flak was encountered at Rouen, Caen, and near Evroux, with black and white bursts both seen. Generally it was low for accuracy.
5. Weather was CAVU [Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited] until near the target area, building up to 10/10ths cloud in a diagonal line between Rouen and Caen.
6. In the bay of the Seine, crews report, a number of vessels appeared to be stationed waiting to pick up the pilots of e/a [Enemy Aircraft] forced down.

• A/C # 684;   Time 0820;   Height 24,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – On Turnback
  Story of the attack – Six FW's came in abreast at 6 o'clock level. I started shooting at the third from the right as they faced me at 1000 yards. At about 300 yards he started doing a wing over. The nose went into the air and the A/C stalled. Pilot bailed out.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. H. Chambers - Tail Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt. C.H. Hammack - Ball Turret Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – [Nothing Written]
  Comments of the interrogator – [None Written]
• A/C #749;   Time 0820;   Height 24,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Over France
  Story of the attack – A FW 190 came in, level, dead on the tail. About 400 yards away I hit him, and he slowed down, smoking and flaming. Ball turret gunner followed him and saw it hit the ground. Another FW 190 had feinted an attack, but peeled away to let the second E/A [Enemy Aircraft] in.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – Sgt. H.R. Przelomski, Tail Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt R. Nelson, Ball Turret Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – [Nothing Written]
  Comments of the interrogator – Seems a destroyed.
• A/C # 749;   Time 0825;   Height 24,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Over France
  Story of the attack – A FW 190 came in at the 7 o'clock position. My incendiaries hit the engine, at about 200 yards. He turned on his back, smoking white-grey smoke, peeled back on the course. The incendiaries burst in his engine, dead center. You could see the bursts. Planes would circle like Spitfires - then hurtle in.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. E. J. Smith - Left Waist Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt. R. Nelson - Ball Turret Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – [Nothing Written]
  Comments of the interrogator – Probably damaged
• A/C # 831;   Time 0827;   Height 24,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Between Reuens and Caen
  Story of the attack – Three FW's came in from 7 o'clock. I started firing at 1000 yards. At 500 yards a large part of the right wing fell off. He was on fire from stem to stern
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – T/Sgt. L. Miller - Top Turret Gunner
  Corroborated by – Sgt. B. Taney, Radio Operator and Sgt. Cudd
  Other A/C firing at the same time – [Nothing Written]
  Comments of the interrogator – Sure
• A/C # 839;   Time 0810;   Height 22,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Rouen [France]
  Story of the attack – The FW came in level at 6 o'clock. He made 2 passes then turned away. He came in again and I hit him at 300 yards. His left wing burst into flames.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – Sgt. A. Warden, Tail Gunner
  Corroborated by – Pilot Hansen and others heard claim on Interphone.
  Other A/C firing at the same time – A/C of Low Squadron
  Comments of the interrogator – Very Sincere
• A/C # 839;   Time 0824;   Height 24,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Over coast on course home.
  Story of the attack – A FW 190 came down to attack low squadron but changed his mind and came at us. I nailed him at 500 yards at the 6 o'clock position. He just peeled off and finally hit the water. Two rescue boats rushed out to where he fell to pick him up.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. E. Smith, Ball Turret Gunner
  Corroborated by – Sgt A. Warden, Tail Gunner & T/Sgt D. Boss, Left Waist Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – [Nothing Written]
  Comments of the interrogator – [None Written]
• A/C # 849;   Time 0820;   Height 23,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – West of Rouen
  Story of the attack – A FW 190 yellow nose came in at 6 o'clock to about 400 yards. I started firing when he was 800 yards away and fired 200 rounds. He burst into flame and I followed him all the way down. I saw him hit.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. C. Pettus - Tail Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt. V.V. Summers - Right Waist Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – Uncertain
  Comments of the interrogator – Confirmed by Ship #677
• A/C # 852;   Time 0830;   Height 24,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Just before crossing French coast on route back.
  Story of the attack – Two Me 109s came in and the one on the right attacked at 5 o'clock level at 1000 yards. I started firing and he started smoking. He turned over on his back and started nose down. The ball turret saw him smoking badly and could follow him over half way down still out of control.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. A. Fullin - Top Turret Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt. K. Gorsuch - Ball Turret Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – [Nothing Written]
  Comments of the interrogator – [None Written]
• A/C # 861;   Time 0810;   Height 23,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Crew does not know
  Story of the attack – 3 FWs came at us in echelon. I fired at the leader and suddenly the leader halted and then swerved off, leaving the others to come in.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – Lt. F Stone - Bombardier
  Corroborated by – Lt. L. Marquardt - Navigator
  Other A/C firing at the same time – None
  Comments of the interrogator – Damage
• A/C # 861;   Time 0812;   Height 23,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Crew does not know
  Story of the attack – The FW came in level at 6 o'clock. I started firing at about 1000 yards. He kept on coming but blew up at about 150 yards.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. H. Welch - Tail Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt. L. Skalsky - Ball Turret Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – No
  Comments of the interrogator – Seemed an honest narrative
• A/C # 861;   Time 0815;   Height 23,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Crew does not know
  Story of the attack – Me 109 came at us from off the tail. I fired and he was smoking. He cut under us and then came up at us. I fired the rest of the ammunition I had and asked for more from Sgt. Franz but he pointed at the plane falling and the pilot bailing out.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. N. McNerney - Right Waist
  Corroborated by – T/Sgt. W. Franz - Left Waist Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – None
  Comments of the interrogator – [None Written]
• A/C # 861;   Time 0817;   Height 23,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Between Rouen & Caen
  Story of the attack – A Me 109 circled at 7 o'clock and came in from 5:30. He kept coming and passed under us. Flames from the engine were covering whole plane as he passed under Ball Turret. A 20 mm hit my glass from this Me 109.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. H. Welch - Tail Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt. L. Skulsky - Ball Turret
  Other A/C firing at the same time – No
  Comments of the interrogator – Lt Hathaway of Ship #684 saw this one go down.
• A/C # 861;   Time 0819;   Height 23,000 ft.;   Place where attacked – Crew does not know
  Story of the attack – A Me 109 came in just the same as the one before him, circling around 7 o'clock and coming in at about 5:30. He came under us and I was firing all the time. The last I saw of him, he was gliding down fast with the whole engine on fire.
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt. L. Skalsky - Ball Turret Gunner
  Corroborated by – S/Sgt. H. Welch - Tail Gunner
  Other A/C firing at the same time – No
  Comments of the interrogator – [None Written]

1. Route followed. - St. Catherines Pt. - Fecamp, France - 10 mi. SW of Rouen - 20 mi. E of Caen - 2 mi. E of Caen - Littlehampton, England
2. Visibility at Target. - Eight-tenths cloud. Condensation trails clearly seen.
3. No. of A/C over Target: 17 A/C over enemy territory - Did not reach target.
4. General Axis of attack. - None
5. How long did formation fly straight and level before bombing? - No Bombing.
6. Turn after bombing. - None
7. Position of Group in relation to other Groups: 381 Gp. Lead, 91st Gp. Low, 351st Gp. High.
8. What evasive action was taken? - Irregular changes in course; no loss of altitude except dissent on course as planned.
9. A short description of Flak en route. - At Rouen, meager flak below our formation which was at 24,000 feet At Caen, two of our A/C (272 and 850) reported meager flak, low and inaccurate for deflection, at 19,000 feet. Visibility was good at Rouen, but Ground was not visible at Caen. Type of fire control was probably continuous following, seen at Rouen, unseen at Caen.
10. Any other comments, phenomena, etc. - None

1. The following is the summary of Hot News for the Mission of July 10, 1943.

A/C 272, flying at 23,000 ft, reported a B-17 in distress at 0800 hours 15 miles SW of Rouen; two parachutes were seen and ME 109s shooting at parachutes.

A/C 272, flying at 18,000 ft reported a B-17 under control, but going toward the sea. Time 0830 hours and position about 30 miles off coast of France on return trip. 49° 35'N-00°40' W. Their altitude about 700 feet. An SOS was sent in by A/C 272.

A/C 090, flying at 24,000 ft, reported a B-17 at 0750 hours and just after turn in France, flying at 18,000 ft and under perfect control going down toward a low cloud. Not at all certain he was lost.

A/C 9812, flying at 20,000 ft., reported a B-17 in distress at 0845 hours and just inside coast of France on way back, under control but going down in a long glide. Their altitude estimated at 1,000 feet.

1. There were no aircraft malfunctions.
2. No aircraft failed to take off as scheduled.
3. Abortives.
   1. Airplane No. 42-5812, 511th Squadron, returned early because the airplane was crowded out of the formation and the other aircraft would not permit the pilot's return to the formation.
   2. Airplane No. 42-3150, 511th Squadron, returned early because the Oxygen line broke in the ball turret. Investigation disclosed that the line had become entangled.
   3. Airplane No. 42-3106, 508th Squadron, returned early because of an oil leak in the No. 1 engine. The propeller was not feathered because too much oil had escaped. Investigation disclosed that the oil plug had not been safetied and came out while the aircraft was flying.
4. Battle Damage.
   1. Airplane No. 42-3090, 508th Squadron. #1 engine change. Flak hole in left outboard panel, leading edge. Hole in left horizontal stabilizer, leading edge, caused by shell casing or flak. Hole on top of plexi-glass nose caused by flak.
   2. Airplane No. 42-29852, 511th Squadron. Hole in right outer panel leading edge caused by shell casing. Hole on top fuselage, right side, near plexiglass nose caused by shell casing.
   3. Airplane No. 42-29849, 511th Squadron. Hole leading edge right horizontal stabilizer caused by shell casing. Tear right waist window caused by own .50 cal. Guns. Three shell casing holes wing leading edge near No. 4 engine. Right wing tip has .30 cal. Bullet hole tear. Fairing, left wing at root, damaged by shell casing.
   4. 42-29877, 511th Squadron, 5 cartridge shell casing holes in leading edge of left wing.
   5. 42-3150, 511th Squadron, Oxygen line broken in ball turret. (Abortive)
   6. 42-29630, 509th Squadron, one .30 cal hole in outer wing panel.
   7. 42-29861, 509th Squadron, 20mm, shell damage to left aileron, large hole. .30 cal. Hole right wing through No. 3 gas tank. .20 mm. hit bullet proof glass enclosure tail section, several small holes tail section. No. 4 supercharger has missing bucket.
   8. 42-29749, 509th Squadron. Hole in right horizontal stabilizer, leading edge and also in left horizontal stabilizer, leading edge.
   [Signed] John Finigan, Captain, Air Corps, Group Engineering Officer.

Aircraft No. 5812   Squadron 511th   Pilot - Pinkerton, M.A.
Time of Abortive 0755  Location when Aborted - 49°45'N-0°41'E
Reason - Forced out of formation and could not regain position.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] Max A. Pinkerton, 1st Lt.

Aircraft No. 42-3106   Squadron 508th   Pilot - Kern, J.P. 1st Lt.
Time of Abortive 0800   Location when Aborted - 52°00'N - 01°00'W
Reason - Oil leaked out of #1 engine to such extent that feathering was almost impossible
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed]Jack P. Kern, 1st Lt.

Aircraft No. 150   Squadron 511th   Pilot - D.M. Norris, 1st Lt.
Time of Abortive 0650   Location when Aborted - London
Reason - Oxygen system on left side of ship out
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] D.M. Norris, 1st Lt.

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

   Sqdn 508th A/C: 090 – N, 106 – M,	(2)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 863 – Y, 860 – W, 9812 – U, 630– S, 684 – T, 749– Z, 861– X,	(7)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 831 – H, 839 – C, 850 – G, 948 – B, 272 – M,	(5)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 852 – V, 150 – Q, 835 – Y, 849 – U, 877 – X, 5812 – O,	(6)

2. Target: Primary Z-204 - Secondary Z-240
   
3. Station call sign and Operational call sign respectively of each Squadron

   Squadron	508 Ops:	CM5		Squadron	510 Ops:	5KT
   	Sta:	Pointer			Sta:	Sprocket
   Squadron	509 Ops	CM5		Squadron	511 Ops:	5KT
   	Sta:	Backwood			Sta:	Panpipe

4. Taxi Time – 1st A/C 0515;     Take-Off Time 1st A/C 0530;     E.T.D. Over Field 0610

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   0725	24,000 Ft	Selsey Bill

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   0910	13,000 Ft	49°17'N - 00°16'W

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   0946	8,000 Ft	St. Catherine's Point

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1044 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: E
10. Bomb load of Each A/C:
    Squadron: 508 16–300 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/100 sec. Tail
    Squadron: 509 16–300 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/100 sec. Tail
    Squadron: 510 16–300 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/100 sec. Tail
    Squadron: 511 16–300 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/100 sec. 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.
    508th	090–N	0538½	0956	509th	863–Y	0530	0956
    Abortive	106–M	0539	0750		860–W	0535	1007
    					9812–U	0536	1008½
    					630–S	0535½	1008
    					684–T	0536½	1010
    					749–Z	0538	1012
    					861–X	0537½	1011
    510th	831–H	0530½	0956½	511th	852–V	0539½	1003½
    	839–C	0531	0957	Abortive	150–Q	0540	0723
    	850–G	0532	0959		835–Y	0541	1005
    	948–B	0533	1002		849–U	0541½	1006
    	272–M	0543	1000		877–X	0543	1004
    				Abortive	5812–O	0542	0850

    Report Compiled By C.A. Blanchard, S/Sgt.
    

    Sqdn.	A/C Letter	Designation	Remarks
    511	150–Q	Abortive	Oxygen system failed
    508	106–M	Abortive	Oil leaked out of #1 Engine to warrant return.
    511	5812–O	Abortive	Lost place in formation and couldn't regain same.