351st Bomb Group

1. Roll Call and Aircraft Assignment.
2. Check to see that all Pilots know Assignment.
3. Time Schedule:

   _____ Box		_____ Box
   Stations – 0645		Stations - _____
   Start Engines – 0745		Stations - _____
   Taxi - 0755		Taxi - _____
   Take Off - 0810		Take Off - _____
   Leave Base - _____		Leave Base - ____

4. Target, Loading and Gasoline Load:
   Frankfurt - Center of Industrial area & [Railroad] Marshalling Yards
   Bomb Load - Lead Group - Max. load 500 lb. G.P. [General Purpose]. High Group Max. Incendiaries
   Petrol - 2100 in Non-Tokio [Planes] - 2500 in Tokio [Planes]
   
   
5. Operations - Wing Formation - 94th C.B.W [Combat Wing] - 4th in 1st Division.
   Lead Box - 351st   High Box - Composite 351st & 401st   Low Box - 401st
   
   

   Diversions -	1st Division - None
   	2nd Division
   	3rd Division
   	Mediums

   
   Fighter Cover - Full Cover
   
6. Navigator -
7. S-2 [Intelligence] –
8. Weather -
   Radar Officer -
9. Special Instructions - Note Paragraph A - Brief on how & when to use chaff.
   
   1. Group Assembly - High Group takes off first. Forming on Deenethorpe Buncher (Low 8,000') (Lead 10,000') (High 12,000').
   2. Signals for Bombing -
   3. Pictures (Photos) -
   4. Deputy Leaders are - Robertson, McCluskey, Fuller
   5. Lead Crews Report to S-2 [Intelligence] for Additional Instructions
   6. Bombardiers, Navigators and Radio Operators report to Special Briefing.
10. Dismissal of all but Pilots and Co-Pilots

11. 			[Radio]
    	Call Sign	Flares	Channels	Tail Letter
    94th C.B.W. [Combat Wing]	Ragweed	RY [Red Yellow]	A
    351st A	Ragweed Red	G	A	J
    351st B			A	J
    401st	Ragweed White	R	A	S
    Composite Group	Ragweed Pink	G	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		C
    Bombers	Goldsmith 2 - 4
    Grnd. Control	Tackline		D
    R.A.F. Fighters	Garlic Two		C
    Bombers	DyePeg Two		C
    Grnd. Control	Spicecake

    
    
12. Colors of the day:

    Time	Color	Ident.	Challenge
    0700 - 1300	R-RR [Red - Red, Red]	I	L
    1300 - 1900	RR	B	O
    1900 - 0100	R-RR	P	W

13. Special Instructions -
    
    1. [Planes] To Monitor Channel "A"- All Ships except those noted below
       [Planes] To Monitor Channel "B"-
       [Planes] To Monitor Channel "C"- R.A.F.C. - 9848 F, 1509 V, 7492 B, 0994 T.
       [Planes] To Monitor Channel "D"-
    2. Let-Down - [Compass] Heading from Splasher #6
       351st A - 275°
       351st B
       401st
       Composite - 305°
14. Taxi Plan - Flying Control.
15. Any Questions?

1. One A/C [Aircraft] carried leaflets and brought them back.
2. A/C in our Group did not bomb.
3. Three E/A [Enemy Aircraft] were reported; two ME 109’s and one FW 190. One ME 109 made a pass at the formation coming out of the clouds from below. This was at 1022 just inside the enemy coast beyond Ostend when our formation was at 24,000 feet. The other two A/C, seen about the same time, did not attack.
4. Meager, black flak, good for altitude but to the left of our formation, was seen at Ostend. Several bursts were seen several miles to the right of our formation on the way in being fired at another Group going over Dunkerque [Dunkirk]. On the route out there was meager, inaccurate, black flak observed at the left of our formation coming up from Bruges.
5. Weather over England caused considerable difficulty in the formation of our Combat Wing and weather was the reason our Group was recalled.
6. At an A/D [Aerodrome] near Eecloo [Eeklo], Belgium 40 A/C, believed to be bombers, were seen.
7. A Pathfinder A/C flew with our formation but no bombing was done. Fighter support, both P-47 and P-38’s, were seen just over enemy territory at 35,000 feet protecting the formation which had gotten in that far.

[Signed] Robert P. Ramsey, Captain, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

E/A Tactics Report - See Paragraph 3, Intelligence S-2 Report, 351st Bomb Group.
No further report is forthcoming.

1. Following is the summary of hot news as reported at interrogation:
A/C 760-M, [42-39760] 509th Squadron, flying at 6,000 feet at 1110 hours reported a B-17 with a triangle insignia turn 180° from formation at the English coast on route home and start back towards Europe. A Spitfire was seen to go out after the attacking A/C.

[Signed:] Robert P. Ramsey, Captain, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

To: All A/C 1st Bomb Division
From: 1st Bomb Division

ABANDONED OPS RETURN TO BASE.

23 January, 1944
From: All 1st Bomb Division
To: All 1st Bomb Division Groups and Stations
All 1st Bomb Division Combat Bomb Wings

All crews are to be briefed on proper procedure to be followed on landing in neutral countries particularly Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and Southern Ireland depending on Missions planned. Information contained in Bulletin Number 13 P/WB. Navigator will have available flying maps of neutral countries for use in event of forced landings. Briefing will include neutral aerodrome facilities and reception liable to be encountered.

January 23, 1944

1. SOUTHERN IRELAND.
   1. Procedure: The military Attaché in Dublin should be notified immediately of the circumstances, and secondly, the local Irish authorities. It is important to stress two points: first, that the purpose of the flight was strictly non-operational, e.g., a ferrying or training flight; second, it should be emphasized that the crew wishes to leave with the plane at the earliest possible moment.
   2. Specific Instructions:
      1. Secret aircraft, or secret equipment in the aircraft or carried as cargo, will be put down in the open country and not at an airdrome.
      2. The aircraft and contents will be completely destroyed, unless prompt departure or adequate measures to safeguard the plane and contents are assured.
      3. Other aircraft (confidential, or unclassified) should be landed at an Airdrome, if possible, and the aircraft and contents safeguarded.
      4. Secret or confidential papers, maps, and other documents will not be destroyed if they can be safeguarded.
   3. Airdromes: Supplies of 100 octane gasoline are kept at the 3 principal airdromes, Rineanna, Baldonnell, and Colbinstown to be used to refuel U.S. which may land intact and can continue on journey immediately.
2. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
   1. Procedure: USAAF personnel landing in these countries should immediately get in touch with the American Consul who will arrange for their release. They should endeavor to give themselves up to military or Air Force authorities.
   2. Specific Instructions:
      1. Secret or confidential aircraft or equipment or cargo will be completely destroyed.
      2. The aircraft will be totally destroyed if a partial destruction is impossible.
      3. Other aircraft, equipment, and cargo shall be preserved and where possible safeguarded.
3. SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, and AXIS CONTROLLED NEUTRALS
   1. All aircraft, equipment, and cargo shall be totally destroyed.
4. SECURITY
   1. Crews will state they were on a non-operational flight, e.g., training or ferrying, regardless of circumstances, when questioned in neutral countries by anyone
   2. Only name, grade, and serial number will be given to unauthorized persons.
   3. Deliberate attempts are made to get officers drunk in order to extract information, and in some cases this procedure has been successful.
   4. Complete information should be given to Military Attaché, or a person designated by him if circumstances permit.

1. Following are the comments made by crew members during today’s interrogation:
508 Squadron
No switches turned on for bombs as they should have been for delayed action bombs. – Lt. Stevens.
511 Squadron
Shackles in wrong for one of bombs with booby trap. Fixed just before take-off and could not have been dropped if this malfunction had not been noticed prior to take-off. – Lt. Mahaffey.
All Squadrons
Present systems in all equipment rooms are very poor. The 509th Equipment room especially is now all confusion and disorder. – All crews.

[Signed] Robert P. Ramsey, Captain, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

1. No armament failures or malfunctions were reported upon completion of the Mission of 24 January, 1944.

1. Following are deficiencies and disabilities as determined by interrogation:

509th Bombardment Squadron:
A/C 780-G [42-37780] Shoe burned out, also gloves. – Lt. Perle.
511th Bombardment Squadron:
A/C 834-F [42-39834] Sgt. Selover, tail gunner, suit burned out.
A/C 492-B [42-97492] Radio Operator of Lt. Litzinger Crew, suit burned out.
A/C 848-C [42-39848] Oxygen system leaked.

[Signed:] Ernest J. Cater, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Group Equipment Officer

1. Last Four numbers and Call Letter of A/C in each Squadron:

   a. Lead Box

   Sqdn 508th A/C: 0994–T*, 8023–P*, 39849–V*, 3517–O*, 9654–B

   Sqdn 509th A/C: 8005–G*, 8032–P*, 9749–Z

   Sqdn 510th A/C: 9853–P*, 8038–R*, 31509–V*, 9848–F, 8028–Q*, 9835–N*, 9925–l

   Sqdn 511th A/C: 9849–U, 39834–F*, 9835–Y, 7492–B*, 9848–C*

   Sqdn 812 [PFF A/C] 3490–F*, Spares–5824–S, 7780–G*

   b. High Composite Box

   Sqdn 508th A/C: 0866–S*, 9858–G

   Sqdn 509th A/C: 9863–Y, 7845–F*, 9760–M*, 0499–Q*, 1384–T*

   Sqdn 510th A/C: None

   Sqdn 511th A/C: 3136–P, 1238–A*

2. Target: GL2643A
   
3. W/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 Call Sign	NRH Daisychain		Squadron	509 Call Sign	RNO Ridingwhip
   Squadron	510 Call Sign	PDH Parammount		Squadron	511 Call Sign	TCN Thickfrost

4. Lead Box: Taxi – 0800;     Take-Off – 0815;     E.T.D. Over Field – 0815
5. High Composite Box: Taxi – 0755;     Take-Off – 0810;     E.T.D. Over Field – 0810

6. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1004	20,000 Ft	Clacton

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1324	19,000 Ft	51°06'N - 02°40'E

8. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1352	11,000 Ft	Clacton

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1430 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "H"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: Box
    508 Squadron: 12 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    509 Squadron: 12 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    510 Squadron: 12 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    511 Squadron: 12 x 500 pound G.P., Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
12. Bomb load of Each A/C: High Composite Box
    508 Squadron: Maximum M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bomb]
    509 Squadron: Maximum M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bomb]
    510 Squadron: None
    511 Squadron: Maximum M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bomb]
13. *Fuel Load of each A/C: 2500 Gallons - Tokio Tanks A/C
14. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2110 Gallons - Non-Tokio Tanks A/C
15. Group Leader:
    a. Lead box: Name: Ball, C.F. Rank: Major A/C: 9849-U Sqdn. 511th
16. b. Low box:
17. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None
18. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:
19. Lead Box

    Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	0994–T	0813		509	863–Y	0458
    	8023–P	0823½			120–O	0459
    	39849–V	0824			861–X	0500½
    	3517–O	0814			684–T	0500
    	9654–B	0826			860–W	0459½
    510	9853–P	0822		511	9849–U	0811½
    	8038–R	0815			39834–F	0819
    	31509–V	0818½			9835–Y	0814½
    	9848–F	0820			7492–B	0820½
    	8028–Q	0818			9848–C	0833
    	9835–N	0821		Spare	5824–S	0832
    	9925–L	0822½		Spare	7780–G	0826½
    				812	3490–F	0812	PFF A/C

20. Composite High Box

    Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	0866–S	0808½		509	9863–Y	0809
    	9858–G	0810½			7845–F	0834
    					9760–M	0816½
    					0499–Q	0810
    					1384–T	0811
    510	NONE			511	3136–P	0808
    					1238–A	0844

    Report Compiled By Sol Lopatin, S/Sgt.