351st Bomb Group

Group Mission #61

Non-Credited Mission

Outline for Briefing:

1. 1. Roll Call and Assign Aircraft.
   2. Stations  –0715
   3. Start Engines –1130  0835
   4. Taxi  –1140  0845
   5. Take off –1155  0900
   6. Return to Base –1430
   7. C.O.'s [Commanding Officers] Comment -
2. Target for today: Bremen - Center of industrial area.
   Last resort - Any city known to be in Germany without disrupting fighter support.
   Loading: 8 x 500# + 20 Incendiaries
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 - 401st, High - 351st, Low - 351st
      94st C.W. [Combat Wing] - 2nd, Air Commander ____.
7. Diversions and other efforts -
   3rd & 2nd Divisions on same target 20 minutes earlier.
   4 C.B. Wings to this target.
   
8. Fighter Cover -
   1. Type and No. - 1 Group of P-38's & 1 Group of P-51's from 5240-0845E [approx. 25 miles South of Bremen] to limit of range beyond target.
      
   2. Type and No. - 2 Groups of P-47's from target to limit of range.
      
   3. Type and No. - 4 Groups of P-47's from 5305-0750 [3 mi. N of Friesoythe, Germany] to limit of range.
      
   4. Type and No. - 2 Groups of P-47's 5305-0640 [5 mi, SE of Groningen, Netherlands] to limit.
      
   5. Type and No. - 2 Groups of P-47's 5305-0540 [3 mi, N of Sneek, Netherlands] to limit.
      
9. Special Instructions -
   PFF [Pathfinder Force Aircraft] code word for I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run]: Nightmare.
   351st let down on Splasher 16.
   High Box let down on heading 40° - Low Box 20°.
   All ships with cameras will make verticals of enemy coast going in, I.P. & enemy coast coming out.
   Radio breaches will be investigated and disciplinary action taken in each instance.
   VHF code word for authentication: X-Ray
10. C.O's [Commanding Officer's] Comment -
11. Dismissal of all but Pilots and Co-Pilots

12. 	Call Sign	[Tail] Letter		Flares
    351st High Group	Ragweed Red	"J"
    351 Low Group	Ragweed Blue	"J"
    401st Group	Ragweed White	"S"
    1st C.W. Command Post
    Air Commander
    94th C.W.	Ragweed			RY [Red Yellow]
    ____ C.W.

    
    

    P-47's - Denver Two

    Bombers - Goldsmith Two Two

    Ground Sector - Tackline

    
    

    VHF Channels		Channel		Ships Monitor
    94th C.W.		A		All
    Air Commander		B		High - 1162-V & 9858
    				Low - 9857-H & 0866-S
    P-47's		D		High - 7780-G & 5824-S
    				Low - 136-P & 761-D

13. Colors of the day:

    Time	Color	Ident.	Challenge
    0700 - 1300	RR [Red Red]	Z	O
    1300 - 1900	YY	C	N
    1900 - 2400	Y-YR	W	J

14. Flying Control - A. Taxi Plan, B. Runways and Taxi Strips, C. Spares
15. Conclusion -

Operational Narrative – High Combat Box:

1. Eighteen aircraft of the 351st High Combat Box took off at 0840, formed over Splasher #16 at 10,000 feet, and waited for the Lead and Low Boxes to form.
2. When formed, the Combat Wing departed Splasher #16 and proceeded to Louth pn the briefed flight plan. Shortly after leaving the English Coast, several 360° turns in Combat Wing Formation were made in order to lose thirty minutes in compliance with radioed instructions. The Leader of the High Box aborted due to excessive fuel consumption just before the Combat Wing Leader abandoned the Mission due to weather. No enemy opposition had been encountered.
3. Let down on a heading from Splasher #16 was successfully completed. All of our aircraft returned to base with the exception of two that landed elsewhere, one at North Luffenham for gas and one at Downham Market because of poor visibility.

[Signed] Clinton F. Ball, Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer

Operational Narrative – High Combat Box:

1. Eighteen aircraft of the 351st Low Combat Box took off at 0901, formed over Splasher #16 at 10,000 feet, and joined the High and Lead Boxes at that point.
2. When formed, the Combat Wing departed Splasher #16 and proceeded to Louth on the briefed flight plan. Shortly after leaving the English Coast several 360° turns were executed in Combat Wing Formation in order to lose thirty minutes in compliance with radioed instructions. Short of the first briefed turning point the Combat Wing Leader abandoned the Mission due to weather. No enemy opposition had been encountered; and there had been no abortives.
3. Return to base via Cromer was in Combat Wing Formation until Splasher #16 was reached. A routine instrument descent was successfully accomplished and all aircraft returned to base individually.
4. All of our aircraft returned safely.

[Signed] Clinton F. Ball, Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer

Lead Navigator’s Narrative – High Group:

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0840 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0924 hours at 10,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW [Combat Wing] at 0940 hours at 10,000 feet.
   4. Began climb at 1033 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1155 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 10/10ths. Tops 3,500 feet.
      2. Visibility 10 miles.
      3. Wind at altitude ____ degrees. ____ knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. GEE and DR [Dead Reckoning]
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. GEE fixes and DR
   9. Joined task force at ____ hours at ____.
   10. Departed English Coast at 1033 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at Never hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: ____ hours.
       2. Coming back: ____ hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. ____ degrees.
       2. ____ knots per hour.
       3. How determined: ____
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] at ____ hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target ____ degrees.
       3. Altitude over target ____ feet.
       4. Time bombs away ____ hours.
       5. Method of target Identification and weather over target: ____
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: None
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest [sic] fix 54°02’N-03°03’E
       2. Time 1155 hours.
   17. Comments: Lead ship (High Group) had excessive fuel consumption and was forced to abort at 1155 hrs. DR Pos. 54°02’N-03°03’E. Could have completed mission if Wing Lead did not circle for one hour over North Sea.

[Signed] Peter F. Provenzalf, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Navigator

Lead Navigator’s Narrative – Low Group:

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0901 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0925 hours at 7,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW at 0935 hours at 7,000 feet.
   4. Began climb at 1104 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at Never hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 10/10ths. Tops 3,500 feet.
      2. Visibility Unlimited miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 170 degrees. 40 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. Radio and GEE
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. GEE
   9. Joined task force at Never hours at ____.
   10. Departed English Coast at 1024 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at Never hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: ____ hours.
       2. Coming back: ____ hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. ____ degrees.
       2. ____ knots per hour.
       3. How determined: ____.
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP at ____ hours.
       2. Mag heading over target ____ degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target ____ feet.
       4. Time bombs away ____ hours.
       5. Method of target Identification and weather over target: ____.
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: On the ground Splasher #16 gave 3 different bearings on the three given frequencies. OK in the air. Homing on Splasher #16 the needle reversed before reaching station.
   16. GEE:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix 54°15’N-04°35’E.
       2. Time 1215 hours.
   17. Comments: _______

[Signed] Carl B. Stackhouse, Captain, Air Corps, Lead Navigator

Submission of Bombardier’s Data – High Combat Box:

1. Due to the fact that no bombs were dropped, the following reports are not submitted:
   1. Bombardier’s Narrative.
   2. Combat Bombing Flight Record.
   3. Group Bombing Plot Record

[Signed] Robert B. Stratton, Captain, Air Corps, Statistical Officer

Submission of Bombardier’s Data – Low Combat Box

1. Due to the fact that no bombs were dropped, the following reports are not submitted:
   1. Bombardier’s Narrative
   2. Combat Bombing Flight Record
   3. Group Bombing Plot Report

[Signed] Robert B. Stratton, Captain, Air Corps, Statistical Officer

Group Leader's Narrative:

1. The High Combat Box took off on schedule and the assembly over Splasher #16 was carried out satisfactorily. The High and Low Groups were in position for the forming of the Wing.
2. The Lead Group called and reported that as they were early, they would make a 360° turn at Splasher #16. Upon completion of the turn, the Wing was formed with the High and Low Groups in the approximate positions. The high and low squadrons of the Lead Group were far out of position, preventing a good wing formation. The climb was slow, and was not accomplished according to the briefed flight plan.
3. When the Mission was abandoned approximately seventy miles off the English Coast, we returned to Splasher #16, let down through the overcast on instruments, and proceeded to base individually.
4. All of our aircraft returned, one landing at another field to refuel, the second because of bad weather.

[Signed] Joseph F. Nesmith, 1st. Lt., Air Corps, Group Leader

Group Leader’s Narrative – Low Combat Box:

1. The Low Combat Box took off and assembled over Splasher #16 on schedule. The High and Low Boxes were in good position for the combat wing assembly.
2. The Lead Group reported that as they would arrive at Splasher #16 early, they would execute a 360° turn at that point. Upon arrival of the Lead Group and completion of the turn, the High and Low Groups were in their approximate positions. A good wing formation was impossible at this point due to the fact that the high and low elements of the Lead Group were too far out of position. This proved true throughout the remainder of the Mission.
3. When the Mission was abandoned some seventy miles off the English Coast, we returned to Splasher #16, made an instrument let down through the overcast, and proceeded to base.
4. All of our aircraft returned to base safely. There were no abortives.

[Signed] Donald A. Gaylord, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Group Leader

Intelligence S-2 Narrative of Mission – High Box:

1. The target for this date was the center of the industrial area of Bremen, Germany.
2. 18 A/C took off at 0900. A/C 714-T turned back at 1025 from the vicinity of Louth because the #1 engine began throwing oil and the #2 engine oscillated. 17 A/C crossed the English Coast as briefed. In the vicinity of 54° 00’ N - 02° 00’ E five 360° turns were accomplished. A/C 849-U turned back at 1155 in the vicinity of 54° 02’ N - 03° 03’ E because of lack of fuel. The formation turned back at 1220 from the vicinity 54° 10’ N - 04° 45’ E, crossing the coast four miles south of Cromer. A/C 823-O landed at Downham Market and A/C 192-Q [should be 192-R] landed at North Luffenham on return, both because of fuel shortage. The rest of the formation landed at this base at 1437. All A/C, except A/C 849-U which jettisoned its bombs, brought bombs back.
3. No enemy A/C were encountered.
4. No flak was encountered.
5. 10/10 clouds throughout the trip prevented visibility of land and sea.

[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

Intelligence S-2 Narrative of Mission – Low Group:

1. The target for the mission of this date was the industrial area of Bremen, Germany. Because this Group turned back early, following the Lead Group, no bombs were dropped.
2. Eighteen (18) A/C were dispatched; eighteen (18) returned safely. No A/C of this Group returned before the others of the Group.
3. No E/A were encountered and no casualties were sustained by this Group. Friendly fighter support was not seen because this Group turned back before rendezvous point.
4. No flak was encountered.
5. There was 10/10ths undercast up to 3,500 feet and visibility was very good above the undercast. At 17,500 feet the temperature was minus 8°.
6. No observations of importance were reported. The Group followed the briefed course to 54°10’N-04°45’E, where the Lead Group turned back at 1235, heading straight for Splasher #16, the CBW dispersal point. The A/C returned to base at 1414.

[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

TELEGRAM:

To: All A/C [Aircraft] of 1st Bomb. Div [Division] in flt. (SWVC)
From: 1st Bomb Div. (7MT)
"DELAY DEPARTURE COAST 30 MIN." 1035A.
Received by W/T and sent to this office at 1055.

TELEGRAM:

To: A/CS L - M - D - C OF ALCONBURY
From: FIRST BOMB DIVISION
"DELAY ALL TIMINGS 30 MIN." 1115A.
Received by WT 1124 16 DEC. 1943.

TELEGRAM:

To: 1st Bomb Div (7MT)
From: Alconbury (PFF) (LLZC)
"Abandoned Ops. Returning to base." 1220.
Received by W/T and sent to this office at 1255.

 [Wounded - 0]