351st Bomb Group

1. Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.
   C.O.’s Comment: ____
2. Time Schedule:

   Lead Box		______ Box
   Stations –	0840	Stations -	_____
   Start Engines –	0850	Stations -	_____
   Taxi -	0900	Taxi -	_____
   Take Off -	0915	Take Off -	_____
   Last Take Off -	1009	Last Take Off -	____

3. Targets:
   Primary: Frankfurt
   Secondary: Frankfurt
   Last Resort : Any Military Objective positively identified.
4. Loading:
   High Box: M-47 A1 IB’s [Incendiary Bombs]
   Lead Box: 10 X 500#
   Low Box: 10 X 500#
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - Nay 9987 – Stay in low rear. We lost an engine over Schweinfurt due to clogged vents.
5. Gasoline Loading:
   Tokyos [Planes with extra wing fuel tanks]: 700 gals.
   Non-Tokyos:
   Remarks:
   

6. Wing Formation	94th (A) CBW	94th (B) CBW	Comp. Group	Comp. CBW
   Lead	351		401
   Low	401 Comp.		351
   High			401

7. Division Formation:

   Position	Notes	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	Lead & 2nd to fly abreast	41st"A"	Frankfurt	1044
   2nd	guide left	41st"B"	"
   3rd	3rd & 4th to fly abreast	40th"A"	"	1048
   4th	guide left	40th"B"	"
   5th	5th & 6th to fly abreast	1st	"	1052
   6th	guide left	94th	"
   7th
   8th
   2nd Division		2 CBW's	Frankfurt
   3rd Division
   Marauders [B-26]
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   Remarks: CBW’s guiding left take interval at 5,000’, 07°00’E & reform after bombing.
   Splasher 9 to Beachy Head is Division Assembly Line.
8. Fighter Cover:
   • IN:

     [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Time]
     RAF 5 Sqns. Spits, 2 Sqns. P-51’s	5000 - 0120	at 1100 AM
     2 Groups, P-47’s	5000 - 0350	at 1121
     1 Group, P-47’s	5000 - 0540	at 1137
     2 Groups, P-51’s	5000 - 0700	at 1148

   • OUT:

     [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Time]
     2 Grps. P-47’s	5027 - 0700	at 1243 PM
     1 Grps. P-47’s	5028 - 0540	at 1309
     1 Grps. P-38’s	5050 – 0340	at 1451

     Plus area support from 4 Sqns. Spits & 5 Grps. P-47’s on 2nd B Div.
9. Group Assembly is:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   351	9500'	Deenth. [Deenethorpe] Buncher
   401 & 351	8000’	Deenth. Buncher
   457th	11000’	Deenth. Buncher

10. Navigator - _____
11. S-2 - _____
12. Weather - _____
13. Special Instructions to Navigators, Bombardiers:
    41st CBW & all lead Groups release chaff at 5010 – 0740 for ten minutes.
    Fighter Bomber Reference points:
    S - Charleville
    N - Koblenz
    O - Frankfurt
    R - Malmedy
    T - Brussels
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing IP–	“Bold Dog”
    Visual Bombing -	“White House”
    Authenticator –	Gold digger
    Recall -	____
    Division Lead	_____

    
    
    (B) Call Signs:

    Unit	Call Sign	Flares	Tail Letters
    351st A	Woodcraft Red	Red - Yellow	J
    351st B
    401st A	Woodcraft Pink	Red	S
    Composite
    457th A	Woodcraft Blue	Green	U
    1st C.B.W.	Swordfish	R - R [Red Red]	A L
    40th C.B.W.	Foxhole	Y - Y [Yellow Yellow]	B G H
    41st C.B.W.	Cowboy	G - G [Green Green]	C K P
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Denver	in: (1-1 to 1-5)	out: (1-6 to 1-9)
    R.A.F. Fighters	Garlic One
    Bombers	Goldsmith One-Five
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Tackline
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control	Spice cake

    Remarks: Remember – You are now Woodcraft not Ragweed.
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0700 – 1300	R-G	O	W
    1300 – 1900	G-G	P	L

    
    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All except below:
    2. - Ledoux & McClawhorn-7780 & Maginn-7472 from 1038 AM on. (see Field Order)
    3. - (US) Berardi-725, Dennis-1560 [A/C scratched, actually flew in 8032] & Nelson-955
       (RAF) Nay-987, Bartzocas-849 & Roper-192
    4. - Air/Sea Rescue
16. Let-Down on Splasher # 6, if overcast.
    351st A 290° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st B Low Sqdn 280° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    401st A
    457th A 300° Mag.
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
18. Special Instructions:
    Grp. Leader & other 2 ships on Chan. B at 1038. Low on gas & damaged A/C land at “Earls Colne” if possible.
    Berardi & Dennis monitor “C” Channel from 5 mins. Before FRU point to Eng. Coast.
    Maintain Radio Silence except by CBW leader.
    Remember – When VHF control lite is off, you are on air.

1. General Narrative – Lead Combat Box. The 351st Group took off on schedule and formed on the Deenethorpe Buncher. The wing assembly was normal, and Point A was departed on time. Point B was reached two minutes early; Point C, three minutes early; and Point D, four minutes early. The wing was unable to locate the 1st Combat Wing at Point Z, the rendezvous point. Since they were early, the wing made a 360° turn and upon completion, saw the 1st Wing, to which they attached themselves, guiding left. As a result of the 360° turn, the English Coast was departed six minutes late, but the interval between the two wings was closed by the time the enemy coast was reached.
    Approximately thirty-five minutes inside the enemy coast, the formation was attacked by about a dozen FW-190’s. The wing leader immediately called the friendly fighters who quickly dispersed the FW’s without further attacks. The remainder of the trip to the IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was uneventful. At the IP, the wing leader ordered PFF bombing since the target was not visible. The bombing pattern appeared very satisfactory, with the exception of the bombs from one or two ships, which were dropped late. Results were unobserved.
    After bombs away, in order to keep out of the prop wash of the 1st Combat Wing, the 94th Wing began to guide right on them and remained in that position until the enemy coast was crossed on the way home.
    The let-down was begun soon after crossing the enemy coast. There was an overcast over England, but by the time the coast was reached, the formation was below it. As numerous airdromes in England were passed, the wing leader notified all ships which were low on fuel to land for refueling if necessary. A/C 42-38038 landed at Wittering because of a damaged hydraulic system, but the rest of the lead box returned to base and made a normal landing.
    Moderate, inaccurate flak was observed at the target. Light flak was encountered at Leus, France, and about half a dozen bursts were noticed as the formation crossed the enemy coast out.
2. General Narrative – Composite Combat Box. The low squadron of the composite low box of the 94th Combat Wing flew an identical route with the lead box. The only incident out of the ordinary was the loss of A/C 42-31776, Pilot, Lt. Seaman, of the 508th Bomb Sqdn, due to head on fighter attacks by approximately twelve FW’s, as noted in the lead box narrative. This aircraft attempted to return to England alone, but was unsuccessful.
3. Aircraft Not Attacking – Lead Combat Box. Twenty aircraft of the 351st Group, plus two PFF ships, took off and formed the lead combat box as indicated on the accompanying diagram of the formation at take-off. A/C 42-39849 was not dispatched, and returned as a spare. A/C 42-38032 was dispatched, but returned early when the pilot could not find the group formation. A/C 42-37780, which was not dispatched, returned early due to low manifold pressure on the #1 Engine and a runaway #2 Supercharger. Investigation disclosed that the exhaust manifold of the #1 Cylinder on the #1 Engine was broken off. Also, moisture was found in the #2 Supercharger balance line. A/C 42-39853, dispatched, returned early because of low oil pressure on the #1 Engine. The pilot reported that the pressure dropped to 55 PSI at altitude, but that upon descending to 9,000 feet, the oil pressure returned to normal. Ground investigation revealed no defects. A/C 42-39914, dispatched, was forced to jettison its bombs over enemy territory when flak knocked its #3 Engine out. The remaining fifteen aircraft attacked the primary target as indicated in the diagram of the formation over the target. It will be noted that A/C 42-39987 carried nickels only and flew with the 40th Combat Wing formation, but is included in the fifteen aircraft which attacked.
4. Aircraft Not Attacking – Composite Combat Box. Six aircraft of the 351st Group made up the low squadron of the low composite combat box, as indicated on the diagram of the formation at take-off. One of these, A/C 42-31757, dispatched, returned early. The pilot reported that the interphone system was out at several stations, that the tail and left waist guns were defective, and that the #2 and #3 engines were detonating. A/C 42-31776 is reported missing before the target, and therefore did not attack. The four remaining ships in this squadron attacked the target as shown on the accompanying diagram.
5. Aircraft Lost – Lead Combat Box. No aircraft are missing from the Lead Combat Box.
6. Aircraft Lost – Composite Combat Box. A/C 42-31776 of the low squadron of the low composite combat box is reported missing in action. This ship is the victim of head-on fighter attacks at a point approximately 35 minutes inside enemy territory. It is reported that A/C 42-31776 had attempted to return to England alone, but without success.

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0850 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0925 hours at 9,500 feet.
   3. Formed CBW at 1025 hours at 15,000 feet.
   4. Began climb at 0949 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1200 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 9/10ths. Tops 11,000 feet.
      2. Visibility Unlimited miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 328 degrees. 68 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. GEE
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. DRIFT ON TWO HEADINGS
   9. Joined task force at 1100 hours at BEACHY HEAD.
   10. Departed English Coast at 1100 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1125 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: 1126 hours.
       2. Coming back: 1430hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 328 degrees.
       2. 68 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: DRIFT ON TWO HEADINGS
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of bomb run] at 1208 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 75 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 25,000 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 1214 hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: PFF
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: INDICATION ERRATIC ON DEENETHORPE BUNCHER.
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix 49°49'N-05°49'E [About 1 mile SW of Rambrouch, Luxembourg].
       2. Time 1120 hours.
   17. Comments: Do not believe in CBW’s flying abreast. It causes second CBW to deviate from briefed route. In this case, the 94th CBW was forced over flak installation.

Group: 351st
Target: Frankfurt, Germany
Method of Bombing: P.F.F.
Altitude: 25,000’
Wind Direction: 328°
Wind Velocity: 79 MPH
Direction of Attack: 75° Mag. Heading
Narrative: Bombs were dropped on P.F.F. Ship at 1214. 10/10th clouds prevented visual bombing and hits were unobserved.

[Signed:] Harvey H. Wallace, Captain, Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Bombardier - Capt. Harvey H. Wallace  Pilot - 1st Lt. Marvin A. Brooksby Navigator - 2nd Lt. Cleveland, Carleton A.
Aircraft #42-38005 G Take-off - 0847 Landed - 1616
Objective - Frankfurt, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] - P.F.F.
Initial Point - ____
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 16   Composite Group - ___
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: P.F.F. Range Sighting only, Group - P.F.F.   Composite Group - ___
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 500 Lbs. G.P.[General Purpose] AN-M43
Number of Bombs Loaded - 10    Released - 10
Fusing, Nose - 1/10  Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - P.F.F.
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - No
Mean Temp. Metro -20 Actual -20
Winds - Altitude - 25,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 290°  Actual 328°  Velocity - Metro 110  Actual 79
Temp C. - Metro -45° C. Actual -40° C.

1. 50 parcels of C-26 Leaflets were dropped in the target area.
2. 10/10’s clouds obscured the target and observation of the target was not possible. Photographs do not show bombing results.
3. About 24 Enemy fighters were encountered by this Group flying a lead box and a low squadron of the low composite box. Attacks were made at two points along the route. ME 109’s and FW 190’s first attacked at 1142 hours at a point just before the IP and continued attacks in the general target area until 1250 hours. Attacks at this point were persistent and were usually made from out of a simulated fighter escort formation. Almost all passes were from above and level head-on but a few low and level attacks were pressed in from the tail against the low squadrons. Enemy pilots seemed to be experienced and very aggressive. At a point East of Lille approximately 10 E/A made passes at this group between 1350 and 1400 hours. Many of the FW’s were painted with white markings as our P-47’s and the ME-109’s were silver colored, had yellow noses or were gray with yellow tail units. Some were striped to resemble P-51’s. In order to effect [sic] surprise enemy pilots flew escort formation prior to their attacks made when real escort was not present.
4. While crossing the coast at Le Tréport our planes encountered meager flak which was quite accurate. Meager inaccurate flak was observed near Amiens. At the target moderate flak which was good for height but poor for deflection, including black, white, and one or two red bursts, and a burst of parachute flak, were observed. While passing south of Koblenz on the return trip our crews observed what appeared to be a barrage to the right. The only other flak encountered was at Ostend, where a few bursts, good for height but poor for deflection, were fired at our formation.
5. Weather was CAVU [Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited] over the enemy coast increasing to 2 to 4/10’s clouds just west of Germany. The target was obscured by 10/10’s clouds.
6. Weather was suitable for air to ground observation over the Low Countries. A picture was taken of some construction in progress at 51°19’N, 03°04’E; this construction attracted the attention of two crews and they reported a great deal of digging going on. This appeared to the crews like gun emplacements or possibly a dummy airfield. One crew saw what is believed to be a pipeline near a woods at 51°10’N, 03°38’E; the crew remarked that it appeared to be camouflaged and that mounds alongside of it were arranged in straight rows. The A/C at this time was flying at an altitude of 20,000 feet. A large building with three large smoke stacks and appearing to be somewhat camouflaged was seen just south of Bierset, Belgium close to two dams on the Meuse River. This was close enough to the dams to be the power house. Four barges from which were seen coming gun flashes as the formation passed over them were seen ten miles West of Ostend.
7. A/C 776-N flying in the Low Squadron of the Low Composite Box fell out of formation at 1205 with No. 2 engine out. A short time before, it had been subjected to attacks by ME-109’s. He was last seen going down under control. On the return, halfway between the target and the French coast a ship believed to have been from the 401st Group was seen to crash. Two parachutes were observed coming from the plane. Fighter escort was generally good and as briefed but there was a period in the general target area where this group was without visible support during which time the weight of the enemy attack was pressed home. At the point near Lille where enemy fighters again attacked, the P-47 escort was high and came down from above to attack and drive off the fighters.

1. Because attacks were so light on today’s mission, no further Enemy Tactics Report beyond that included in paragraphs 3 and 7 of the Narrative Teletype [S-2 Narrative-Intelligence] is forthcoming.

[Signed:] Charles A. Hillway, 1st Lt., Air Corps, E/A Tactics Officer

1. Target: Assigned - Frankfurt, Germany Bombed - Frankfurt, Germany
2. Route as Flown. - Le Tréport, Poiz, 10 miles E of Trier, Ingalheim, Target, Bad Nauheim, S of Koblenz, 4 miles S of Charieroi, 2 miles SE of Lille, 3 miles SE of Thourout, Ostend.
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - 10/10 cloud.  B. En route - 1 to 2/10 cloud to 35 miles inside Enemy Coast. Route back – undercast broke to 6-8/10 West of 05 Degrees East.
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - Unseen (b) Enroute - Probably unseen
Any Condensation Trails? - Above 24,000’
5. Description of Flak, including type of Fire Control: Moderate, only fairly accurate for height and poor for deflection. Black, white, and one or two red bursts were seen. Several crews reported that it looked like a barrage; it did not appear to be following. A burst which scattered balls of fire attached to parachutes was reported by several crews.
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 Le Tréport, 1015, a few accurate bursts.
 Amiens, meager and inaccurate.
 Koblenz, apparently a barrage observed to the right.
 Lille, 1405, moderate continuous following, height good, deflection poor.
 Ostend, 1430, meager, height good, deflection poor.
7. Was Chaff carried? - Yes How discharged? As briefed, starting shortly before IP.
8. Position of Group - Lead
9. Group – 351 A/C over enemy terr. – 16 A/C damaged – 4 A/C lost to flak – 0 Time over Target – 1214 Time of bombs away – 1214 Height – 25,000’ Axis of attack – 76° Mag. Bomb run – 90 sec.

Composite (Low Sqn.) A/C over enemy terr. – 5 A/C damaged – 3 A/C lost to flak – 0 Time over Target – 1214 Time of bombs away – 1214 Height – 26,680’ Axis of attack – 95° Mag. Bomb run – 90 sec.
10. Comments - Phenomena: None

1. Following are the comments made by crew members during today’s interrogation:
COMPOSITE SQDN – 508
A/C 879-Q Trucks should pick up crews flying mission before picking up crews on local flights. Had to wait for transportation. – Lt. Fuller.
“We get too much dinghy drill”. – S/Sgt. Von Flotow.
No hot water in showers. – S/Sgt. Von Flotow.
Too many classes for Navigators. – Lt. Scodel.
A/C 955-K Air speed too fast – hard to keep up in low Squadron. – Lt. Nelson.

509th Squadron
A/C 005-G Ammunition wasn’t in positions. – S/Sgt. Saxon.
Transportation didn’t come after landing. – Pilot.
A/C 914-S Shortage of heated equipment in proper sizes. – Crew.

510th Squadron
A/C 721-S New way of wrapping chaff is much better than old way. – T/Sgt. Haggard.
A/C 857-J Too much interval between fighter cover. – Crew.
Windows and nose should be cleaned. – Navigator.
Tail gunners too careless when test firing guns. – Pilot.
A/C 975-O “No cookies on our ship”. – Crew.
A/C 509-V Breakfast was insufficient; give us just one more egg, please! - All gunners.

511th Squadron
A/C 238-A Lead planes shot at escort chasing enemy fighters.
Lead squadron poor formation; formation hard to fly. – Lt. Pryor.
A/C 472-H Throwing chaff out of radio room knocks post-sight off; chute should be moved back to waist. – Sgt. Baker

[Signed] Robert H. Van Beynum, Captain, Air Corps, Ass’t Group S-2 [Intelligence]

1. Abortives:
   1. Airplane No. 42-39849, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned.
   2. Airplane No. 42-38032, 509th Squadron, returned early due to the Pilot’s inability to locate the formation.
   3. Airplane No. 42-39853, 510th Squadron, returned early. The Pilot claimed that the oil pressure on #1 Engine dropped to 55 PSI at altitude. When the aircraft descended to 9,000 feet, the oil pressure returned to normal. Investigation on the ground revealed no deficiencies.
   4. Airplane No. 42-37780, 511th Squadron, returned early because the manifold pressure on #1 Engine was low, and #2 Supercharger ran away continually. Investigation revealed the exhaust manifold of #1 Cylinder on #1 Engine was broken off. Moisture was also found in the #2 Supercharger balance line.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31384, 509th Squadron. Small flak hole through left wing tip; skin and corrugation damaged. Flak hole through left wing outer panel; skin, corrugation and one Tokyo tank damaged. Flak hole in wing underside rear of #2 Engine nacelle; skin, corrugation and spar damaged. Flak hole in left wing fairing, underside; skin and main spar damaged. Small flak hole through right elevator; fabric damaged.
   2. Airplane No. 42-30857, 510th Squadron. One .303 hole through the bombardier’s vision glass. Leading edge of left horizontal stabilizer dented by spent shell casing; skin and bulkhead damaged. Ring cowling of #4 Engine damaged by spent shell casing. Small flak hole in right wing underside; skin, corrugation and fuel transfer line damaged.
   3. Airplane No. 42-31714, 511th Squadron. Flak hole in left wing underside; skin, corrugation and feeder tank damaged. Small flak hole through right elevator; fabric damaged. Flak hole in fairing of right wing at fuselage; #7 bulkhead damaged.
   4. Airplane No. 42-97472, 511th Squadron. Flak entered trailing edge of right wing underside, hit main spar and main fuel tank and came out through top of wing; skin and corrugation were also damaged. Flak hole in underside of wing to the rear of #3 Booster Pump; skin, corrugation and damage to the main spar. Flak hole in underside of fuselage, in tail gunner compartment; seat, bulkhead, and skin damaged.

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK		BY FLAK, FRIEND & FIGHTER
   4		4		3		1

1. Abortives:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31757, 508th Squadron returned early. The Pilot claimed that the Interphone system was out at several stations, several guns out and #2 and #3 Engines detonating. Investigation revealed the interphone to be weak in the upper turret, but very satisfactory at all other positions. The left waist gunner complained that the left waist gun was smoking, this was undoubtedly caused by the electric gun warmers getting too hot and burning the oil and paint on the receiver. The tail gunner said that his right gun was sluggish. This was caused by improper adjustment of the oil buffer by the gunner himself.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31192, 508th Squadron. Small flak hole in right wing leading edge of outer panel; skin and corrugation damaged. Three small flak holes through left wing outer panel; skin, corrugation and Tokyo tank damaged.
   2. Airplane No. 42-31879, 508th Squadron. Two very small flak holes in right side of vertical stabilizer; skin damage only.
   3. Airplane No. 42-31955, 508th Squadron. Flak hole in left bomb bay door and came out through life raft compartment; skin, stiffeners and life raft damaged. One .303 hole in right side of gunners compartment and lodged in bulkhead. Pilot’s window shattered by flak. Small flak hole in bottom of #2 Engine nacelle; skin, ring cowling, cowl flaps and electric tachometer cable damaged.

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK		BY FLAK & FRIEND
   3		3		2		1

1. Following armament malfunctions and failures were reported upon completion of the mission of 2 March, 1944.
   1. A/C 42-38005 – Bombs were released by Pilot’s emergency release. Ship checks out OK on ground.
   2. A/C 42-31509 – Intervalometer became inoperative before take-off, Bombardier was advised by the armorer. Bombs were toggled. Intervalometer has been replaced.
   3. A/C 42-31384 – Bomb bay doors would not retract either electrically or manually. Investigation disclosed that the doors had been damaged by flak while open.
   4. A/C 42-31955 – (Composite Box) Bombs could not be released electrically or salvoed. Pilot used emergency release, and four bombs dropped. The remainder dropped four or five seconds later. Investigation revealed that the racks were binding. This is a new aircraft, and will be shimmed before its next mission.
   5. A/C 42-31879 – (Composite Box) The bombardier reported the servo motor out in the bombsight. No malfunction could be observed in the ground check. It is suggested that the stabilizer switch may not have been turned on.

1. The Station Ordnance Officer has reported an expenditure of 24,705 rounds of Caliber .50 ammunition on the Mission of 2 March, 1944. This figure includes 9,000 rounds expended by A/C 42-31776 which is reported missing in action.

1. Following is the disposition of bombs on the Mission of 2 March, 1944.

NOTE: One of the sixteen (16) aircraft over target carried Nickels only and flew with the 40th CBW.
One aircraft jettisoned its bombs before the target.

1. Following is the disposition of bombs on the Mission of 2 March, 1944.

Aircraft No. 7780 Squadron - 509th  Pilot - McLawhorn, W.E.
Time of Abortive - 10:37 AM  Location when Aborted - Winchester
Reason - No. #2 Supercharger ran away consistently. Control by throttle only. Could only get 25” of manifold pressure on #4 engine at 19,000 ft. After returning it was found that one of the exhaust was broken completely off allowing the exhaust gases to escape into the accessory section of the engine nacelle, therefore making supercharger useless.
Disposition of Bombs: Brought Back
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 19,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: #2 Supercharger would run away unless brought completely off. Checked out OK on ground on run up & take-off. Got started running away about 14,000 ft.
[Signed] W.E. McLawhorn  (Engr. Reported Broken Exhaust Manifold #1 Cyl., #4 Engine – Completely off)
Called into Lt. Olds 94CBW – Approved Col. Burns


Aircraft No. 8032 Squadron - 510th  Pilot - Dennis
Time of Abortive - 1115  Location when Aborted - Approaching French Coast
Reason - Could not locate Group. Joined 306th Grp. And could not keep up. Fell back & joined another Combat Wing. Still could not keep up so returned to base.
Disposition of Bombs: Returned Loaded
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 23,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: None
[Signed] Lee H. Dennis, 2nd Lt., A.C.



Aircraft No. 9853 Squadron - 510  Pilot - Borchert, M. J.
Time of Abortive - 10:45  Location when Aborted - French Coast
Reason - Oil pressure was dropping on No. 1 engine.
Disposition of Bombs: None – Returned
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 23,000’  
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: OK’d by Maj. Roper. Notified Lt. Olds 94 C.W.
[Signed] MJ Borchert



Aircraft No. 9849 Squadron - 509  Pilot - A. Bartzocas
Time of Abortive - ___ Location when Aborted - ___
Reason - SPARE
Disposition of Bombs: ___
Altitude At Time of Aborting: ____  
Enemy Opposition Encountered - ___
Remarks: Spare – Ret’d at Mid Channel – No Vacancies in formation. Called in to 94th Lt. Olds.
[Signed] ____



Aircraft No.1757  Squadron - 508  Pilot - Blaisdell, L. H.
Time of Abortive - 11:13  Location when Aborted - Just off Enemy Coast
Reason - Tail guns & left waist out. Top turret, tail, & ball interphone out & rest distorted. Tail gunner electric shoes out. #2 & 3 Engines detonating.
Disposition of Bombs: Channel
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 22,000 ft
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: Tried to turn back in time for spare to fill in.
[Added] OK’d by Col. Ball – Called to Lt. Olds 94 CW.
[Signed] L.H. Blaisdell

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

   a. 94th C.B.W. [Combat Wing] Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: (9849–V Spare)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 8005–G, 9914–S, 1725–L, 8032–P, (1384–T Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 1509–V, 9853–P, 8038–R, 1975–O, 1721–S, (0857–J Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 7780–G, 1238–A, 7472–H, 8153–F, 1875–P, 1714–R, 9987–D*, (9848–C Spare)
   PFF Sqdn 812 A/C: 3490–F, PFF Sqdn 813 A/C: 3018–C

   
   * Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets]

   b. 94th Combat Wing Composite Sqdn.
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 1879–Q, 1192–R, 1955–K, 1776–N, 1757–G, 1702–A
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

2. Target: GH-577
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T JMP R/T Daisychain		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T THO R/T Paramount
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T NGJ R/T Ridingwhip		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T RRW R/T Thickfrost

4. "A" Lead Box: Taxi–0830; Take-Off –0845; E.T.D. Over Field–At Takeoff
   "B" Composite Box: Taxi–0845; Take-Off –0900; E.T.D. Over Field–At Takeoff

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1054	22,000 Ft	Beachy Head

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1444	20,000 Ft	51°07'N-02°40'E [Koksijde, Belgium]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1520	5,000 Ft	Clacton

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1558 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
10. Bomb load of Each A/C: Lead Box
    508 Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P.[General Purpose] [Fuse] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    509 Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P.[General Purpose] [Fuse] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    510 Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P.[General Purpose] [Fuse] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    511 Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P.[General Purpose] [Fuse] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail - A/C 9987-D Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets]
    
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: Composite Box
    508 Squadron: 10 x 500 G.P.[General Purpose] [Fuse] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    509 Squadron:
    510 Squadron:
    511 Squadron:
11. Fuel Load of each A/C:
    A/C with TOKIO TANKS: 2400 Gallons A/C without TOKIO TANKS: None Gallons
12. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: Eliza Ledoux Rank: Major A/C: 3490-F  Sqdn. 812th (PFF)
    b. Composite Low Squadron: Name: Charles A. Fuller Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: 1879-Q Sqdn. 508th
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    NONE
15. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:
16. 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	9849–V	0850		509	8005–G	0847
    					9914–S	0847½
    					1725–L	0848½
    					1384–T (FS)	0857
    					8032–P	0851
    510	1509–V	0849		511	9848–C (FS)	0849½
    	9853–P				7780–G	0848
    	8038–R	0851½			1238–A	0854
    	1975–O	0852½			7472–H	0854½
    	1721–S	0853			8153–F	0855
    	0857–J (FS)	0901			1875–P	0855½
    					1714–R	0856
    					9987–D	0845
    812 PFF	3490–F	0845		813 PFF	3018–C	0846

    (FS) - Flying Spare
17. Low Composite Box

    Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	1879–Q	0858
    	1192–R	0914
    	1955–K	0859
    	1776–N	0859½
    	1757–G	0900
    	1702–A	0900½

    Report Compiled By I.C. Muesing, Cpl.
    
    

    Sqdn.	A/C Letter	Designation	Box	Remarks
    511	7780–G	Returned Early	Lead	2 runaway Superchargers - Broken Manifold #4.
    508	9849–V	Returned Early	Lead	Spare

 Twenty-one planes flew a mission to Frankfurt, led by Major Ledoux and Lt. Peck with Lt. Barton as navigator in a Pathfinder ship. Bombing was through 10/10 cloud and observations of the results were impossible. Just before the I.P., about 15 ME 109s and FW 190s began persistent attacks, most of them in simulated escort fashion from above and level. A second attack was made on the way back, just East of Lille, by about 10 fighters. Light to moderate accurate flak was encountered at the target and at various points along the route.
 Lt. Seaman, in 42-31776, was flying Tail-end Charlie. Approximately 50 miles from the target, the plane was attacked by about 20 enemy fighters. This attack knocked out the number two engine and set number three on fire. Lt. Seaman put the plane into a dive towards some cloud cover, putting out the fire in number three engine on the way down. Oil from the damaged engines streamed down the belly of the plane and covered the ball turret. So that he could see, S/Sgt. Burchinall broke the glass in the turret, which had already been hit by a 20mm shell.
 As the plane broke out of the clouds over Eastern France, it was immediately fired on by a battery of 20mm guns. The plane was hit again and again. To add to the troubles, two ME 109s started attacking. The tail gunner, S/Sgt. Allen, was seriously wounded. A 20mm shell passed through him from under his shoulder blade and came out under his collarbone. Seven .7mm bullets hit his arm and leg, breaking both. Bleeding badly from his wounds, he bailed out and was picked up immediately and hospitalized. The same attack severed the control cables, leaving the pilot with virtually no control over a madly vibrating plane and only a hole in the wing where the number two engine had been. As the ball turret gunner climbed out of his turret to get more ammunition the turret hit the ground and tore up into the plane, throwing S/Sgt. Burchinall into the radio room. The plane had landed by itself! With the control cables shot away and no power it had landed in a large open field near Abbeville. The crew was soon captured, with the exception of Lt. Seaman, who managed to remain at large until the invasion of Europe.

• A/C# 42-31776   YB-H  "Maggies Drawers"  Pilot: Seaman  A/C's 1st Mission   MACR # 2865

  Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

  42-31776, piloted by 1st Lt. Seaman, was attacked by fighters which knocked out #2 engine and set on fire #3 engine. Another attack severed control cables. The plane flew straight and level until it crash landed by itself. Lt. Seaman in a questionnaire in the MACR stated the plane crash landed 40 Km. west of Calais.

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 1st Lt. Robert A. Seaman, according to the website: http://www.conscript-heroes.com he evaded capture in France until liberated by the advancing US Army.
  • Co-pilot - 2nd Lt. Don D. Fowler, From Oklahoma, POW at Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Navigator - 2nd Lt. Stanley R. Danheiser, From New York, POW at Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Bombardier - 2nd Lt. John R. Griffith, From Ohio, POW at Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt William W. Nolen, From North Carolina, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Radio Operator - T/Sgt William J. Pappas, From New York, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Charles S. Fouzie, From New York, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Right Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Henry J. Annucci, From New Jersey, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Frank E. Burchinal Jr., From Pennsylvania, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Tail Gunner - S/Sgt Clifford H. Allen, From Maine, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.