351st Bomb Group

1. 1. Roll Call and Assign Aircraft.
   2. Stations  –0600
   3. Start Engines –0700
   4. Taxi  –0710
   5. Take off –0725
   6. Return to Base –1418
   7. C.O.'s [Commanding Officers] Comment -
2. Target for today: Primary - Knaban Molybdenum processing plant. Secondary - Airfield at Oslo.
   Loading: Tokyo's [B-17 G's] 12 x 500 G.P. [General Purpose] + 600 gal. [of gas].
   Reg. a/c [B-17 F's] 6 x 500 G.P. + one full bomb bay [gas tank].
3. S-2 [Intelligence] –
4. Navigator:
   1. Wing Rendezvous:
   2. Altitude and time on Oxygen:
   3. Route in, I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run], Return:
   4. C.W. [Combat Wing] dispersal point:
   5. Emergency Fields
5. Weather -
6. Operations -
   1. Wing Formation - Lead - 351st, High - 381st, Low - 91st
      1st C.W.[Combat Wing] - 2nd., Air Commander - Maj. Ledoux.
7. Diversions and other efforts -
   2nd division & 3rd division leaving Cromer & Louth 1hr 45 minutes later to Oslo.
   Royal Navy patrolling for Air Sea Rescue.
8. Fighter Cover - None
9. Special Instructions -
   1. CBW's [Combat Wings] will make no special attempt to assemble into Division formation. Individual aircraft will approach [Splasher] #4 from Lincoln at 17,000' or 2,000' above [overcast]. Lead will circle 35 minutes leaving at 0910. A/C will join any other C.W. [Combat Wing] or group if necessary.
   2. Flight will be made as low as possible, but top is at 20,000' (?).
   3. Watch flak at
   4. All altitudes will be as desired by (W. Head).
   5. Squadrons that fail to Rendezvous with their groups will proceed on their own.
   6. Bombing by groups, squadrons in trail, high squadron dropping below and in trail of lead and low.
   7. Bomb at 12,000' if possible. Balloon barrages up to 12,000', also wire strung across valley. 2nd & 3rd bomb runs if necessary.
10. C.O.'s [Commanding Officer's] Comment -
11. Dismissal of all but Pilots and Co-Pilots

12. 	Call Sign	[Tail] Letter		Flares
    1st C.W. [Combat Wing]	Goonchild			RR [Red Red]
    91st Group	Goonchild Red	A
    351 Group	Goonchild White	J
    381st Group	Goonchild Blue	L
    1st C.W. Command Post	Figleaf
    Air Commander	Tomcat
    40th C.W.	Bullpen			YY
    41st C.W.	Fatgal			GG

    
    

    Spits [Spitfires] -			Bombers -		Ground Sector -
    P-47's -			Bombers -		Ground Sector -

    
    

    VHF Channels		Channel		Ships Monitor
    1st C.W.		A		Songer & E. Harris
    Air Commander		B
    Spits
    P-47's

13. Colors of the day:

    Date	Time	Color	Ident.	Challenge
    16 Nov.	0100 - 0700	GG [Green Green]	O	L
    16 Nov.	0700 - 1300	RG	I	C
    16 Nov.	1300 - 1900	YY	V	P

14. Flying Control - A. Taxi Plan, B. Runways and Taxi Strips, C. Spares
15. Conclusion - Cut down of V.H.F.! [Radio Transmissions] Radio silence on Command [Radio]. Gas should be no problem except for extra weight. Get some pictures this time!

1. Twenty-one aircraft took off as scheduled and rendezvoused over Splasher #4. The route to the target was uneventful.
2. Seventeen aircraft bombed the assigned target. Photographs and observers indicate very favorable results. This Group dropped 154 500# demolition bombs within the target area. Direct hits on the central building were noted.
3. Very meager and inaccurate flak was met in the target area. Opposition by enemy aircraft was weak. There was neither battle damage nor casualties.
4. Three aircraft returned early because of mechanical failure, while one flew over the target with the 303rd and 92nd Groups. Three planes landed at other fields to refuel and returned to base.
5. All of our aircraft returned safely.

1. The 351st Group took off individually from Polebrook and rendezvoused over Splasher #4 at 17,000 feet.
2. The route to the target was uneventful. Ground speed was obtained by “Gee” fixes. The coast of Norway was overcast and only cleared in time to see the target. Target was located only because the bombardier was familiar with the target.
3. Route back was as briefed until the English Coast was reached. At that point the weather was down on the ground and a good deal of time was spent in finding a hole to cross the coast.
4. Northern Chain of “Gee” transmission was not received at any time during the flight. Eastern Chain was irregular on the return route. Splasher #4 was meaconed [to give false signals to (electronic navigational equipment), as by means of a radio transmitter.] by the enemy at intervals.

1. The 351st Bomb Group reached a point North of the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] at 1125 at which point the Group turned on course for the target as ordered. The target area was possibly one of the best Nature camouflaged targets yet encountered. Snow covered the rocky mountains and the Fjords were so numerous that landmarks for pilotage points were few. The target was sighted at 1128 and positively identified by the Lead Bombardier with the aid of the Lead Navigator. A second approach was made by turning to the left and getting distance for the sighting operation. This constituted a 360° turn for the Group Formation. The High Squadron did not have time to fall in trail as ordered but remained in position for bombing due to shortness of the approach. Bombs were released at 1133. Results were observed to be most effective by Lead Bombardier.

1. The Group took off and formed at 17,000 feet over Splasher #4 as ordered by the First Combat Bomb Wing. Considerable difficulty was encountered due to the fact that other groups were also forming over the same point. The Combat Wing had not formed by then.
2. Soon after leaving the English Coast, it was necessary to climb to 19,000 feet to clear the overcast. Descent was made before reaching the enemy coast to 15,000 feet indicated altitude, from which the group bombed.
3. The target was found on the briefed heading, but too late for bombing; hence a 360° turn was made to bomb. This turn was very steep in order not to lose the target. Several ships were unable to hold formation, hence some of the bombs were scattered.
4. No flak and four unidentified fighters were observed.
5. Several other groups were seen north of the target at bombs away. The bombs of this group were the first to hit the target.
6. Return was made at 15,000 feet to Mid-North Sea, where the let-down was commenced. Near the English Coast, showers and low clouds broke up the formation, the aircraft returning individually.

Bombardier - Capt. H.H. Wallace   Pilot - Major E. Ledoux Navigator - Capt. R.W. Menees
Aircraft # 42-37731  Take-off - 0725  Landed - 1443
Objective - Knaben Molybdenum Works [Norway]
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] - Flotation Plant
Initial Point - Kvinesdal, Norway
Method of Attack - Group
Number of Planes in Group -     Composite Group -
Number of Planes in Each Unit Performing Sighting Operations -
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own sighting operation -
Deflection and Range sighting, Group - 1   Composite Group -
Range Sighting only, Group - None     Composite Group -
Bombs, Types and Sizes - M-43 500# GP [General Purpose]
Number of Bombs Loaded - 184   Released - 172
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - ON

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - MPI was as ordered
Mean Temp. Metro -13 Actual -13
Winds - Altitude - 10,000 Ft. Direction - Est. 10° Actual 45° Velocity - Est. 20 Actual 18 Temp C. - Est. -18° C. Actual -18°C.
    - Altitude - 15,000 Ft. Direction - Est. 20° Actual 62° Velocity - Est. 25 Actual 21 Temp C. - Est. -28° C. Actual -28° C.
Note: Entire Group released on Group Leader.

1. The target was at Knaben, Norway and good photo coverage was obtained. Cameras were in ships no. 517, 831, 749, and 850.
2. 1. [Photo #] SAV 113 shows bombs in flight on picture no. 1 and on picture no. 4 shows the bombs hitting the target.
   2. [Photo #] SAV 112 shows bombs in flight on picture no. 1 and shows the bombs on the target on Picture no. 5.
   3. [Photo #] SAV 114, 115, show bombs on the target.
3. 1. An accurate damage assessment is impossible due to smoke from bomb bursts. There seems to be a direct hit on the central building. Approximately ten bursts are seen in the immediate target area, with thirteen more bursts within 2,000 feet of the target.
   2. Twelve bombs scatter from the target along the line of flight for 5600 feet. No damage will be done by these bombs.

1. The target for today was at Knaben, Norway, where a molybdenum mine is located. Bombing results were reported good although photographic evidence is not yet available.
2. Twenty-one A/C took off, but three returned early. A/C 654 turned back within England at 0815, approximately 5 miles beyond Lincoln, because of a broken oil line on #4 engine, A/C 824 turned back at 0947 from 54°25'N-01°58'E, because of No. 2 engine failure, and A/C 140 turned back at 0956 from 55°15'N-02°45'E, because of an oil leak in No. 2 engine. None of our A/C is missing.
3. From 6 to 8 E/A were seen, all ME-109’s and FW-190’s, and a claim for one damaged FW-190 has been submitted. This Group had no casualties and no friendly fighter support. Enemy opposition was weak.
4. Two crews reported seeing six to eight bursts of flak at the target. It was inaccurate for height and deflection. No other flak was encountered.
5. Weather was clear over the target, with 3 to 4/10ths clouds in the general target area.

1. No. Cameras Prepared and Installed: Eleven
2. Types: 1-F-24 6-E-21 3-E-24 1-K-17
3. No. Cameras Taking Photographs: Four
4. Reasons for Cameras Failing to get Photographs
   1. One broken oil cooler. Necessary to close camera doors.
   2. Three cameras not turned on.
   3. Two camera malfunctions.
5. Were any Cameras Lost? No

[There were no photographs in the Mission documents folder at the National Archives]

1. In compliance with Co-ordination Memorandum No. 3, 19 July, 1943, the following data on the Mission of 17 August is submitted.
   1. 1. No. of Aircraft Assigned: 21
         No. Failed to Take-off: 0
         No. of Abortives: 3
         No. Missing: 0
   2. 1. The 351st Group flew the Lead Combat Box of the 1st Combat Bomb Wing Formation.
      2. The bombing altitude was 12,300 feet (True altitude above Target).

Target - Knaben, Norway
1. Route followed. - Louth – N. E. end of Feda Fjord – Target – Louth.
2. Visibility at Target. - Clear at target; 2-4/10 cloud in target area. Dense contrails.
3. No. of A/C over Target: 18
4. General Axis of attack. - 48° True
5. How long did formation fly straight and level before bombing? - 1 minute
6. Turn after bombing. - Left turn to approximately 210° True.
7. Position of Group in relation to other Groups: Lead group of 1st CW, with 381st Gp. High and 91st Gp. Low.
8. What evasive action was taken? - None
9. A short description of Flak en route. - Two of our crews, flying at 15,000 feet at 1133 hours, saw 6-8 bursts of red and black flak. It was inaccurate for both height and deflection, being low and trailing, apparently aimed at the Gp. behind ours. No other flak was reported.
10. Any other comments, phenomena, etc. - None

1. The following is a summary of the crew comments reported at today’s interrogation:
A/C 762 - Maneuvers on bombing run too violent. Need better bombing run. – Lt. Case
A/C 749 – Do not like the cold. Formation fair. One B-17 attempted to go to Sweden, 4 E/A on his tail. – Capt. O’Mohundro.
A/C 948 – Turns were too steep. Deputy leader should stay up closer - Lt. Holsapple.
A/C 831 – Camera set-up is Rube Goldberg invention. – Sgt. Swaim.
A/C 847 – Suggest individual Group rendezvous; at Louth too many planes were in area without adequate means of identification. – Lt. Plant.
A/C 151 – Turn too fast on second bomb run. – Capt. Peck.
[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

1. Due to the fact that no friendly aircraft were observed to be in distress and that no unusual observations were made, the Hot News Summary for the Mission of 16 November, 1943, is not submitted.
[Signed] Robert B. Stratton, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Statistical Officer

1. Abortives:
   1. Airplane No. 42-29654, 508th Squadron, returned early because of an engine oil leak in the #4 Engine.
   2. Airplane No. 42-3140, 509th Squadron, returned early because of a leaking oil cooler on #2 Engine, which resulted in loss of oil in #2 Engine and therefore the changing of the engine is necessary.
   3. Airplane No. 42-5824, 511th Squadron, returned early because of a leaking oil cooler on #2 Engine, this engine is being changed.
2. Battle Damage.
   1. None.

1. The following is a list of the malfunctions as reported at interrogation of the Mission of November 16, 1943:
   1. A/C 495 – Both chin turret guns out: hydraulic leak. G-Box went out.
   2. A/C 762 – Left tail gun froze up.
   3. A/C 858 – TT right gun solenoid out of adjustment.
   4. A/C 948 – Ammunition was rusty and would not extract from guns.
   5. A/C 831 – Tail gun stoppage. (Crossed out and Bell adapter malfunction written in)
   6. A/C 847 – Tail guns froze up; Left BT gun would shoot only bursts of 2.
   7. A/C 827 – Bomb rack malfunction required salvoing.

1. The following malfunctions were reported upon completion of the Mission of 16 November, 1943:
   1. A/C 42-29832 – Tail gun stoppage; Bell adapter malfunction.
2. The necessary repairs and adjustments have been made.

1. The Station Ordnance Officer has submitted the following expenditure of ammunition for the mission of 9 October, 1943.

1. The following is a summary of the Deficiencies and Disabilities reported at interrogation of Mission of Nov. 16, 1943:
A/C 495 – Right glove burned out. – Lt. Wells.
A/C 858 – Heated suit inoperative. – Sgt. Bousquet.
A/C 542 – Silk gloves not warm enough; need another pair to fit over them. – Sgt. Scerrati; Heated gloves too big to write with; most crew members do not have silk gloves - Lt. Perle.
A/C 831 – Gloves and boots don’t put out enough heat. – Lt. Blaisdell.
A/C 847 – Heated suit and boots deficient. – Sgt. Rowe; Heated clothing rheostat out. - Sgt. Kasper; May be leak in oxygen in ball turret; Frozen neck and burnt hands suffered by Sgt. O’Brien; Need heavier gloves to be worn under heated gloves. – Sgt. Hunter.
A/C 863 – Heated gloves shorted out. – Sgt. McLain.
A/C 523 – Gloves and boots went out. – Sgt. Kotash.
A/C 151 – Glove burned out. – Sgt. Legendre.
[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

Aircraft No. 499 Squadron 509th   Pilot - Songer
Time of Abortive - 0804  Location when Aborted - 6000’ over field.
Reason - #4 prop governor went out.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] George A. Songer

Aircraft No. 3140 Squadron 509th   Pilot - Lt. E. P. Harris
Time of Abortive - 0956  Location when Aborted - 55°15’N.-02°45’E.
Reason - Oil leak drained No. 2 Engine of oil supply causing engine to freeze up.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] E. P. Harris 1st Lt.

Aircraft No. 5824 Squadron 511th   Pilot - Anderson, Harvey J., 2nd Lt., AC [Air Corps]
Time of Abortive - 0947  Location when Aborted - 54°25’N-01°52’E.
Reason - No. 2 Engine went out. Didn’t have oil to feather prop.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] Harvey J. Anderson, 2nd Lt., AC

Aircraft No. 42-29654 Squadron 508th   Pilot - Lt. D. E. McCafferty
Time of Abortive -   Location when Aborted - Just before reaching the point for forming formation.
Reason - Oil line broken.
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
[Signed] D. E. McCafferty

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

   Sqdn 508th A/C: 7731–A, 7827–J, 3517–O, 5823–C, 9654–B, 6151–M	(6)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 3140–P, 0499–Q, 9863–Y, 3542–V, 9749–Z	(5)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 9948–B, 9762–D, 3495–C, 0857–J, 9850–G, 3523–M, 9831–H	(7)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 5824–S, 7847–R, 1162–V	(3)

2. Target: SN-50
   
3. Station call sign and Operational call sign respectively of each Squadron

   Squadron	508 Ops:	JTL		Squadron	510 Ops:	LZS
   	Sta:	Disclose			Sta:	Cupping
   Squadron	509 Ops	NFY		Squadron	511 Ops:	SWS
   	Sta:	Seagreen			Sta:	Ranger

4. Taxi Time – 1st A/C 0710;     Take-Off Time 1st A/C 0725;     E.T.D. Over Field 0837

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast OUT:
   0905	12,000 Ft	Splasher #4 Louth

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1208	12,000 Ft	58°18'N-06°30'E

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast IN:
   1400	12,000 Ft	Splasher #4 Louth

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1418 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "D"
10. Bomb load of Each A/C:
    Squadron: 508 Tokyo A/C, 7731-A, 7827-J, 3517-O, 6151-M - 12 x 500 Lb GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/10 Tail [Fuses]
    Squadron: 508 Non-Tokyo A/C, 5823-C, 9654-B - 6 x 500 Lb GP 1/10 x 1/10 Plus Bomb Bay [Fuel] Tank
    
    Squadron: 509 Tokyo A/C, 0499-Q, 3542-V - 12 x 500 Lb GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/10 Tail [Fuses]
    Squadron: 509 Non-Tokyo A/C, 3140-P, 9863-Y, 9749-Z - 6 x 500 Lb GP 1/10 x 1/10 Plus Bomb Bay [Fuel] Tank
    
    Squadron: 510 Tokyo A/C, 3523-M, 3498-C, 0857-J - 12 x 500 Lb GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/10 Tail [Fuses]
    Squadron: 510 Non-Tokyo A/C, 9948-B, 9762-D, 9850-G, 9831-H - 6 x 500 Lb GP 1/10 x 1/10 Plus Bomb Bay [Fuel] Tank
    
    Squadron: 511 Tokyo A/C, 1162-V, 7847-R - 12 x 500 Lb GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/10 Tail [Fuses]
    Squadron: 511 Non-Tokyo A/C, 5824-S, 3136-P - 6 x 500 Lb GP 1/10 x 1/10 Plus Bomb Bay [Fuel] Tank
    
11. Fuel Load of each A/C: Tokyo Aircraft 2300 Gallons - Non-Tokyo Aircraft 2110 Gallons
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	7731–A	0725	1443	509	3140–P	0727	1124
    	7827–H	0735	1419		0499–Q	0733	0804
    	3517–O	0736	1419½		9863–Y	0728½	1505
    	5823–C	0738	Gaxhill		3542–V	0726	1452
    	9654–B	0741	0910		9749–Z	0729½	1454
    	6151–M	0746	1442
    510	9948–B	0738	1452½	511	5824–S	0734	1120
    	9762–D	0740	1455		7847–R	0731	1430½
    	3495–C	0739	1522		1162–V	0749	1721
    	0857–J	0742½	1445	Replaced 0499	136–P	0825	1432
    	9850–G	0743½	1446
    	3523–M	0744½	1431
    	9831–H	0747	1435

    Report Compiled By ____
    

    [Abortives]

    Sqdn.	A/C Letter	Designation	Remarks
    508	9654–B	Abortive	Oil Line Broken - Engine Trouble
    509	3140–P	Abortive	Oil Lead #2 Engine - Causing Engine to Freeze Up
    511	5824–S	Abortive	#2 Engine out - No Oil to Feather Prop.