351st Bomb Group

1. Roll Call and Aircraft Assignment.
2. Target, Loading and Gasoline Load:
   700 gallons in Tokyos - 1 Bomb Bay [Gas tank in B-17F's] & Maximum M-47 Incendiaries
   Primary - Chemical & Explosive Factory at Ludwigshaven [Germany]
   Secondary - [Railroad] Marshalling yards at Saarbrucken [Germany]
   Last Resort - Airfield at Reims [France] - Target of Opportunity - Any German Aerodrome.
   
3. S-2 [Intelligence] –
4. Operations - Wing Formation - 94th C.B.W [Combat Wing] - 3rd in 1st Division.
   Lead Box - 401st   High Box - 351st   Low Box - 351st
   
   

   Diversions -	1st Division
   	2nd Division - 2CBW's following 3rd Div closely.
   	3rd Division - on same target 30 minutes later
   	Mediums

   
   Fighter Cover - 4 Squadrons Spitfire IX's from Fecamp [France] to 4940-0210 [15 miles South of Amiens, France].
   2 Groups P-47's from 4942-0250 [25 miles SW of Saint-Quentin, France] to limit [of endurance] (about 4953-0510 [25 miles SW of Bastogne, Belgium]).
   P-38's in target area staying as long as possible.
   2 Groups P-47's 4858-0540 [30 miles SW of Metz, France] to limit.
   1 Group P-38's 4943-0500 [approx 8 miles E of Charleville-Mezieres, France] to limit.
   5 Squadrons Spitfire IX's 4930-0250 [5 miles N of Compiegne, France] to limit.
5. Navigator -
6. Weather -
7. Special Instructions -
   Be prepared to bomb visually.
   PFF [Pathfinder Force] VHF [Very High Frequency radio] code word for I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] - Mud Hole.
   Some ships with Bomb Bay tanks - 883L, 858G, 821F, 762D, 093K, 136P, 877X, No kits purging drop tanks - have extinguishers which flood tank with CO² by pulling lever in back. See Crew Chief.
   Fly a good formation especially on bomb run.
   Tail Gunner in 825 is to make smoke trail.
   
   1. Group Assembly - On Deenethorpe buncher - High [Box] 12,000', Low 8,000', T.O. [Take-Off] 25 [Runway 25] - hold for two minutes - turn right to 20° climb to 2 [2,000'] and head for buncher.
   2. Signals for Bombing - Open dors at I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run], PFF - VHF - Mud Hole
   3. Pictures (Photos) - Pilots check to see pictures are taken at the target.
   4. Deputy Leaders are - Low Box - Fuller - Daisychain J-827. High Box - McCafferty - Daisychain O-517
   5. Lead Crews Report to S-2 [Intelligence] for Additional Instructions
   6. Bombardiers, Navigatiors and Radio Operators report to Special Briefing.
8. Dismissal of all but Pilots and Co-Pilots

9. 			[Radio]
   	Call Sign	Flares	Channels	Tail Letter
   94th C.B.W. [Combat Wing]	Ragweed	RY [Red Yellow]	A
   351st A High	Ragweed Red	G	A	J
   351st B Low	Ragweed Blue	R	A	J
   401st Lead	Ragweed White	RY	A	S
   Composite Group			B
   Air Commander			B
   1st C.B.W.	Goonchild	RR		A, L
   40th C.B.W.	Bulpenn	YY		B, G, H
   41st C.B.W.	Fatgal	GG		C, K, P
   U.S. Fighters	Denver One		D
   Bombers	Goldsmith One Three		D
   Grnd. Control	Tackline		D
   R.A.F. Fighters	Garlic One		C
   Bombers	DyePeg One Three		C
   Grnd. Control	Spicecake

   
   V.H.F. Authentication - Day Break
10. Colors of the day:

    Time	Color	Ident.	Challenge
    0700 - 1300	GG [Green Green]	P	Y
    1300 - 1900	RY	D	I
    1900 - 0100	YY	J	X

11. Special Instructions -
    
    1. [Planes] To Monitor Channel "A"- All Ships Except:
       [Planes] To Monitor Channel "B"- High - 151M, 824S, Low - 821F, 882L, Start [to Monitor] as soon as group is formed.
       [Planes] To Monitor Channel "C"- High - 179B, 760M, Low - 948B, 863Y, from time of leaving coast to return.
       [Planes] To Monitor Channel "D"- High - 238A, 849V, Low - 162V, 136P, Same
       
    2. Let-Down - [Compass] Heading from Splasher #16
       351st A - 15° - High
       351st B - 360° - Low
       401st - 345° - Lead
       There will be a front lying to North of route and if clouds interfere can best be avoided by going south - but stick with Combat Wing.
       Weather reports start at 1400.
12. Taxi Plan - Flying Control.
13. Any Questions?
    Abortives - No abortives unless an engine is out or 2 oxygen positions out. No reason to break formation unless absolutely necessary.

1. The high group took off as scheduled at 0805. The formation of the group was completed at 0850.
2. The Combat Wing Assembly was completed as planned at 0925. No difficulties were encountered.
3. The Combat Wing formation was generally good for the entire mission, with noticeable improvement in the target area.
4. The fighter support was picked up at the enemy coast. Excellent cover was afforded by them.
5. The IP was reached at 1152. Bombs were away at 1206 on a magnetic heading of 180 degrees. Bombs were dropped on the PFF A/C leading the Combat Wing formation. Results were not observed, the target being completely overcast.
6. The return to base was made without incident.
7. Both flak and fighter opposition were considered weak. Ground fired rockets were observed in the target area.
8. Eighteen (18) aircraft took off. There were no abortives. Aircraft 42-39780 crash landed at Hawkinge. Four (4) were killed and one (1) was injured when they bailed out. Aircraft 42-29849 landed at Earls Court to refuel and has since returned to base.
9. All of our aircraft returned. No battle damage was incurred.

1. Take off and formation of the low group was carried out as planned. Formation was completed at 0901 at 8,000 feet.
2. The Combat Wing was formed at 0906 at an altitude of 8,500 feet. The formation was generally good.
3. The friendly fighter support was very good. Enemy aircraft opposition was at a minimum, while flak was generally meager and inaccurate.
4. No difficulties were encountered on the route in. Bombs were dropped at 1207 on the PFF A/C leading the Combat Wing formation.
5. The return was made without incident.
6. Twenty (20) aircraft took off. A/C 42-29858 was unable to catch up to the formation after a late take off and so returned to base. A/C 42-29877 returned early due to failure of the oxygen system.
7. A/C 42-31162, pilot Lt. Parsons, is missing in action. The aircraft was seen going down with one engine on fire.
8. All other aircraft returned safely to base. No battle damage was incurred.

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0805 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0850 hours at 12,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW [Combat Wing] at 0925 hours at 13,000 feet.
   4. Began climb at 0925 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1025 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 8/10ths. Tops 9,000 feet.
      2. Visibility 5 miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 264 degrees. 45 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. DR [Dead Reckoning] and PILOTAGE
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. PILOTAGE
   9. Joined task force at 1019 hours at 18,600 feet.
   10. Departed English Coast at 1019 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1031 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: 1051 hours.
       2. Coming back: 1240 hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing: PFF degrees.
       1. 336 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 1152 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 180 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 22,500 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 1206 hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: PFF
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: GEE CAUGHT ON FIRE
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix NONE.
       2. Time hours.
       3. Comments:

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0823 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0901 hours at 8,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW at 0906 hours at 8,500 feet.
   4. Began climb at 0924 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1034 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 7/10ths. Tops 5,000 feet.
      2. Visibility UNLIMITED miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 357 degrees. 56 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. GEE
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. PILOTAGE – PINPOINTING
   9. Joined task force at 1019 hours at BEACHY HEAD.
   10. Departed English Coast at 1019 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1034 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: 1108 hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 22 degrees.
       2. 26 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: DOUBLE DRIFT
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. 357 degrees.
       2. 56 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: PILOTAGE
   15. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP at 1157 hours.
       2. Mag. heading over target 176 degrees.
       3. Altitude over target 20,500 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 1207 ½ hours.
       5. Method of target Identification and weather over target: PFF 10/10
   16. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: NONE
   17. Gee:
       1. (1) Coordinates of furtherest fix 51°28'N - 01°37'E
       2. (2) Time 0958 hours.
   18. Comments:

1. Group: 351st – HIGH
2. Target: I. G. Farben, Ludwigshafen, Germany
3. Method of Bombing: PFF
4. Altitude: 23,000 feet
5. Total Bombs Carried: 525
6. Wind Direction: 264°
7. Wind Velocity: 55 MPH
8. Mag. Heading: 180°
9. Remarks: Lead Bombardier’s Narrative.
   1. The High Combat Box dropped on P.F.F. aircraft. We were in good wing formation at the time of release of bombs on a 180° heading.

1. Group: 351st – Low Combat Box
2. Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany
3. Method of Bombing: PFF
4. Altitude: 20,500 feet
5. Wind Direction: 264°
6. Wind Velocity: 55 MPH
7. Mag. Heading: 173°
8. Remarks: Lead Bombardier’s Narrative.
   1. The Low Combat Box dropped on the P.F.F. aircraft. The Low Box was abreast of the P.F.F. aircraft and in good wing formation at the time of release of bombs on a 173° heading.

1. The High Box took off and proceeded to Deenethorpe for assembly as briefed. The Combat Wing Leader left on schedule for Point “A” with the Low Box in formation. The High Box intercepted the Combat Wing at Point “B”.
2. The Combat Wing formation was generally good. It was exceptionally good over the target.
3. Flak, over the target was light. Fighter opposition was nil.
4. One A/C left the formation shortly after the I.P. and has been accounted for. All others returned safely.
5. The Combat Wing formation was disbanded shortly before reaching Splasher 16. The Groups proceeded to base individually.

1. The Take Off was delayed a few minutes but the Group assembled as briefed. An additional five minutes could have been used. We assembled on the Wing Leader leaving Deenethorpe as planned and had no trouble whatsoever.
2. The Formation while bombing was good. We bombed on the P.F.F. ship in the Lead Group. All our bombs went away approximately three seconds after the Lead Group. We did not break up for bombing except to uncover the Lead Group on the side.
3. Flak was light at the target and over Rouen. Rockets were seen in the target area coming from the ground.
4. One A/C left the formation after the target and went down to a low altitude. No one saw it go down into the undercast.
5. We left the Wing formation shortly before Splasher 16 and came home alone. No trouble was encountered while landing.

 Major Brooks will follow the briefed route and will call out every point, with minutes late or early or on-time for each. He will use the phonetic alphabet in calling out each point, i.e. Point A – Able, on time (or one minute late, etc.).
 He will leave at 0902 at 10,000 feet. Our group can tack on to his, right after leaving here, if desired.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Donald Y. Huff  Pilot - 1st Lt. Donald Gaylord Navigator - 1st Lt. Ralph Schwartz
Aircraft # 7825 Take-off - 0810  Landed - 1625
Objective - I.G. Farbin Co., Ludwigshafen, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] - Chemical Plant - P.F.F. Bombing
Initial Point -
Method of Attack - 94th Combat Wing
Number of Planes in Group - 18    Composite Group -
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own sighting operation - None
Deflection and Range sighting, Group - None   Composite Group -
Range Sighting only, Group - None    Composite Group -
Bombs, Types and Sizes - Maximum Load M-47A1 I.B. [Incendiary Bomb] 100 lb.
Number of Bombs Loaded - 525    Released - 525
Fusing, Nose - Instantaneous    Tail - None
Synchronization - None

Type of Release - Train 493 - Salvo 32 bombs
Point of Impact If Seen - 10/10 Below
Mean Temp. Metro _____ Actual -10° C.
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft.  Direction - Est. - Actual 264°  Velocity - Est. - Actual 55 MPH  Temp C. - Est. - Actual - Note: Dropped on P.F.F. in Lead Group

Bombardier - 1st Lt. John T. Tynan,  Pilot - 1st Lt. Leslie S. Cruthirds, Navigator - 1st Lt. Edward L. Sullivan
Aircraft # 42-37731 Take-off - 0822  Landed - 1606
Objective - I.G. Farbin Co., Ludwigshafen, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] - Chemical Plant - P.F.F. Bombing
Initial Point -
Method of Attack - Squadron - P.F.F., Wing - X
Number of Planes in Group - 17    Composite Group -
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own sighting operation - None
Deflection and Range sighting, Group - None   Composite Group -
Range Sighting only, Group - None    Composite Group -
Bombs, Types and Sizes - Maximum Load M-47A1 I.B. [Incendiary Bomb] 100 lb.
Number of Bombs Loaded - 521    Released - 521
Fusing, Nose - Instantaneous    Tail - None
Synchronization - None

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - Not Seen
Mean Temp. Metro -10° C. Actual -10° C.
Winds - Altitude - Ft.  Direction - Est. - Actual  Velocity - Est. - Actual  Temp C. - Est. - Actual - Note: Dropped on P.F.F. in Lead Group

1. The target for 30 December, 1943 was the Chemical Works of Ludwigshafen, Germany. 10/10ths undercast in the target area made PFF bombing necessary. Results were unobserved and photographic coverage is not yet available.
2. Eighteen A/C were dispatched in the High Box. There were no abortives in this box, but A/C 780-S crashed at Hawkinge, England after its crew had bailed out. No interrogation of this crew has yet been made, but it is known that four men were killed when they bailed out, and one man injured. The other five are still in Hawkinge. A/C 849-U landed at Earls Court due to fuel shortage but has since returned to base. It is known that seventeen A/C bombed the primary on the PFF ship.
3. Fighter opposition was generally weak. Some 15 ME 109’s and FW 190’s were seen, but no passes were made at the A/C of this box. Attacks were made from below out of cloud cover on lower Groups spasmodically all along the route out. As usual, the E/A stayed low and away from the very effective fighter cover afforded by the escort. This Box had no claims.
4. Our formation flying at 23,500 [feet] first encountered flak at 1035 hours N of Le Havre; it was meager and fairly accurate. Moderate flak was seen at Frankfurt far ahead of our formation at 1155 hours. In the target area flak appeared to be in the form of several predicted concentrations, ranging from moderate to intense. Meager, inaccurate flak was encountered at Rouen at 1412 hours.
5. Several A/C observed what appeared to be ground-fired rockets in the general target area. These rockets came up through the clouds leaving a trail of dark smoke and burst in a long, dark burst. They left a spray of red bubbles in the air after bursting and lingered for a long period although no parachutes were reported. None of our A/C were hit by these projectiles.

1. The target of the mission of this date was the I. B. Farben and other chemical industries in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Because of 10/10ths cloud bombing was done on PFF and results are unobserved. Eleven cameras operated but heavy cloud conditions precluded any results.
2. Eighteen (18) A/C were dispatched; of that number one A/C piloted by Lt. Parsons was lost somewhere between the target and French coast: six parachutes are reported before the A/C, with one engine burning, was last observed. Two A/C returned early from this mission, turning back near Beachy Head, 877-X because oxygen system went out and 858-G because it could not catch up with formation, which it had lost at Base.
3. Approximately 15 E/A were encountered, all ME 109’s and FW 190’s; a few light attacks were made upon this Group. Ten men, however, are missing from Lt. Parson’s A/C. Fighter support was as briefed and was excellent.
4. Flak was first met near Frankfurt, as the formation turned right at IP; it was moderate, good for altitude, but to the left. In target area flak was moderate, good for altitude, but poor for deflection. Some white bursts were seen above the black. Meager flak, fair for height and deflection, was seen at Rouen on route out.
5. Weather was 10/10ths at target.
6. Prolonged bursts, generally accredited to ground-expelled rockets, were seen in target area. Bursts were much bigger than flak, and red bubbles “like fireworks” were seen to fall from the bursts, which lingered for some time without parachutes. Some opinion was expressed that these bursts might rather be PFF equipment.

Target -
1. Route followed. - Fécamp – 2 mi. N. of Rouen – 2 mi. W. of Mainz – Target – 3 mi. W. of Speyer – Pont-à-Mousson – 5 mi. S. of Reims – Rouen – 3 mi. S. of Fécamp.
2. Visibility at Target. - 10/10ths cloud.
3. No. of A/C over Target: 17
4. General Axis of attack. - 160 degrees True
5. How long did formation fly straight and level before bombing? - 2 minutes.
6. Turn after bombing. - Left turn to approximately 195 degrees True.
7. Position of Group in relation to other Groups: High Group of 94th CBW.
8. What evasive action was taken? - Irregular S turns in general target area, especially after target.
9. A short description of Flak en route. - Flak was first encountered N of Le Havre at 1035; it was meager, and accurate for height but only fairly accurate for deflection. Moderate flak was seen coming up from Frankfurt at 1155, far ahead of our formation. In the target area, flak started at Worms at 1200 and continued on over the target. It appeared to be in several predicted concentrations, and ranged from moderate to intense and from inaccurate to fairly accurate for both height and deflection. Meager inaccurate flak, about 5-10 bursts, was encountered near Rouen at 1412.
10. Any other comments, phenomena, etc. - Between IP and Target, at 1203, the crew of A/C 756-R observed something like a red flare which shot up like a spray from a hose, then burst like red confetti near the tail of the ship, at 23,000 feet.

Target -
1. Route followed. - Fécamp – 4 mi. N. of Rouen – 4 mi. W. of Mainz – Target – 3 mi. N. of Speyer – Pont-à-Mousson – 5 mi. S. of Reims – 2 mi. N. of Rouen – 2 mi. S. of Fécamp.
2. Visibility at Target. - 10/10ths clouds - light and non-persistent contrails.
3. No. of A/C over Target: 17
4. General Axis of attack. - 176 degrees Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
5. How long did formation fly straight and level before bombing? - 1 minute.
6. Turn after bombing. - Right
7. Position of Group in relation to other Groups: Low Group 94th CBW.
8. What evasive action was taken? - 5 to 10 degrees left and right turns.
9. A short description of Flak en route. - This formation flying at 21,500 feet first saw flak at Frankfurt as they turned to the right at the IP. This flak was moderate, good for altitude, but to the left of this formation. Some white bursts were observed above the black. In the target area moderate flak came up in two separate concentrations. These appeared to be predicted concentrations, and there was no tracking. It was good for altitude but poor for deflection. The first concentration of bursts was just before bombs away and the second was just after the turn after bombing. This latter was to the right of the formation. Some white bursts were observed above the black. Meager flak, fair for height and deflection, was encountered at Rouen on the route out.
10. Any other comments, phenomena, etc. - Two reports were given of projectiles, which were believed a form of rocket shell, being fired from the ground in the target area. These projectiles were fired in pairs and left a column of smoke which remained for some time.

Following are the comments made by crew members at today’s interrogation:
A/C 238-A [42-31238]: Way of forming Group over Splasher was very good; use of smoke and flares excellent. – Lt. Watson.
A/C 756-R [42-5756]: Not enough food on plane. – Whole crew.
A/C 824-S [42-5824]: Smoke trailer from lead ship was very good. – Whole crew.
A/C 495-C [42-3495]: Tail canvas back on tail guns. – Sgt. Anderson.
A/C 151-M [42-6151]: Damned good Combat Wing Formation. – Lt. Kogelman. Officers orderly not satisfactory. – Lt. Haynes.
A/C 849-U [42-29849]: Food is poor. – Whole crew. No transportation to armament shop. – All gunners.
  Need coke in 511th crew area. – All gunners. [Coke was burned in small stoves to heat the Quonset Huts.]
A/C 860-W [42-29860]: Should be at least 2 pair of binoculars per ship. – Lt. Evans.
[Signed:] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2

Following are the comments made by crew members at today’s interrogation:
A/C 863-Y: Navigators should be briefed on location of balloon barrages in England. - Lt. Cleveland.
A/C 714-T: Windshield was hit by shell cases from unnecessary firing. – Lt. Grunow.
A/C 120-O: A practice mission should be flown every clear day for pilots. – Lt. Werth.
A/C 827-J: Formation over target appeared to be excellent; it was also fairly good all the way over and back. – Lt. Fuller.
[Signed:] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2

1. The following is a summary of hot news received at today’s interrogation:
   1. A/C 510-C [42-3495]: Flying at 22,000 feet, reported seeing A/C 780-F make a 180° turn from formation at I.P. dropping soon after down to cloud cover. Further reports indicate that this A/C had an engine on fire from a flak burst. One to six parachutes were also reported.
   2. A/C 508-A [42-37731]: Flying at 23,000 feet, reported a B-17 veering to left out of formation just after the target. The distressed A/C apparently could not keep up with the formation and before it disappeared from sight it burst into flame three times at the tail, the first two times momentarily extinguished. Two parachutes were counted.
   3. A/C 731-A [42-37731]: Flying at 21,000 feet, reported an A/C, either Triangle S or J, go down to cloud level 10 minutes after the target with two (2) engines feathered, slowly losing altitude.
   4. A/C 508-J [42-37827]: Flying at 22,000 feet, saw a B-24 attacked by an ME-109 right near the French coast on the route back. It fell out of formation, started a long glide, caught on fire and blew up. Six parachutes reported.

1. Abortives.
   1. None.
2. Battle Damage.
   1. None.

1. Abortives.
   1. Airplane No. 42-29858, 508th Squadron, returned early because the Pilot was unable to catch up with formation.
   2. Airplane No. 42-29877, 511th Squadron, returned early because the Oxygen system was down to 250 pounds pressure. Investigation disclosed no leak in the Oxygen system.
2. Battle Damage.
   1. None.

1. The following armament malfunctions and failures were reported upon completion of the Mission of 30 December, 1943:
   1. A/C 42-3542 - Front clamp on right chin turret gun charger broken.
   2. A/C 42-29749 - Trouble light burned out in ball turret.
   3. A/C 42-5756 - Racks would not release electrically – had to salvo.
   4. A/C 42-39760 - Bulb burned out in N-6 sight.
2. The necessary repairs and adjustments have been made.

1. The following armament malfunctions and failures were reported upon completion of the Mission of 30 December, 1943:
   1. A/C 42-29948 - Left tail gun sluggish. Solenoid out in right top turret gun.
   2. A/C 42-37714 - Cover extractor became worn.
   3. A/C 42-39835 - Chin turret elevation out.
   4. A/C 42-3093 - Ruptured cartridge in left waist gun.
   5. A/C 42-29882 - Intervalometer out. Short circuit in main switch of ball turret.
   6. A/C 42-29858 - Top turret azimuth cable to sight broke.
   7. A/C 42-3120 - Trouble light in ball turret burned out.
2. The necessary repairs and adjustments have been made.

1. Upon completion of the Mission of 30 December, 1943, the Station Ordnance Officer reported the expenditure of 13,985 rounds of Cal .50 ammunition (includes 9,000 rounds on aircraft which crash landed).
[Signed] Robert B. Stratton, 1st. Lt., Air Corps, Statistical Officer