351st Bomb Group

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

   ____ Box
   Stations –	0805
   Start Engines –	0815
   Taxi -	0825
   Take Off -	0840
   Last Take Off -	____

   
   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: No-Ball #79 Doullens [France]
   Secondary:  X
   Last Resort :  X
   
   
4. Loading:
   High Box: Max. Load
   Lead Box: 500# GP [General Purpose]
   Low Box:
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # -
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading:
   Tokyos [Planes with extra wing fuel tanks]: Normal
   Non-Tokyos:
   Remarks:
   
   

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

   
   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	40th
   2nd	1st
   3rd	45th
   4th	94th
   5th
   6th
   7th
   8th
   2nd Division		X Bow [Cross Bow]
   3rd Division		X Bow [Cross Bow]
   Marauders [B-26]
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: Bombing by seven ship Sqdns. – all Gps. Will drop chaff 30 minutes before target.
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • __ Groups,	Full Area Support
     __ Groups,
     __ Groups,
     __ Groups,

     
     
     
9. Group Assembly is:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   351st R, Y	12,000'	Deenethorpe Buncher
   -
   -

   
   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
    
12. Weather - _____
    
    
13. Special Instructions to Navigators, Bombardiers:
    I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] will be announced on U.H.F. & bomb bay doors opened. Also a green flare fired by each Squadron leader. Close in the formation – as close as possible for bombing.
    
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing IP–	X
    Visual Bombing -	X
    Authenticator –	High Hat
    Recall -	X
    Division Lead	X

    
    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Tail Letters
    351st A	Woodcraft Leader	Red Yellow	J
    351st B
    401st A
    401st B
    457th A
    457th B
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.
    40th C.B.W.
    41st C.B.W.
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Denver One
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers	Goldsmith One
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Tackline
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    Remarks: Bombing is at 20,000 ft
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0700 – 1300	R-G	P	J
    1300 – 1900	G-Y	O	B

    
    
    (E)Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All but
    2. - P-9853, B-7492
    3. - K 1955, D 9987
    4. -
       
       
16. Let-Down on Deenethorpe Buncher, if overcast.
    351st A 20° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st B
    401st A
    457th A
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    After bombing units will be responsible for avoiding any other units in areas which may not have bombed. No attempt will be made to form into C.W. Formation on the way out and withdrawal will be by Squadrons.
    Pilots watch U.H.F. Control Box light.
    Timing good.
    
    

1. General Narrative. Twenty-one (21) aircraft of the 351st Group took off at 0842-0859 hours. Assembly was made with no difficulty over the Deenethorpe buncher, the lead (351st) group flying at the briefed altitude of 12,000 feet. The formation climbed to 17,000 feet over Polebrook before departing from Deenethorpe on course. The climb was continued to 20,000 feet and contact was made with the high and low groups.  Departure from the English coast was made on course and on time. At mid-channel, both the high and low squadrons took interval behind the lead squadron as briefed.  The enemy coast was crossed on time and on course. The cloud coverage was found to be ten-tenths over the target area. The lead and high squadrons searched for a target of opportunity without success. The low squadron, however, after circling Abbeville, bombed a small airdrome near Poix.  Cloud coverage was sufficient to make it impossible for results to be observed. Photos, also, will not permit a complete assessment of the damage.  As indicated on the track course, it was necessary for the low squadron to make two 360° turns over the target before bombing.  All aircraft of the group returned to Molesworth, when a cross-wind would not permit landing at home base.  The fighter rendezvous was made as planned. There were no enemy aircraft encountered. Flak was light and accurate. Battle damage is nil.
   
2. Aircraft Not Attacking. The fourteen (14) aircraft flying in the lead and high squadrons did not attack, bringing their bombs back. The seven (7) aircraft of the low squadron bombed as previously mentioned.
3. Aircraft Lost. No aircraft were lost on the Mission of 13 March, 1944.
4. Group Leader. Captain Harold G. Kelley.
   
   

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0840 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0934 hours at 12,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW at ____ hours at ____ feet.
   4. Began climb at 0935 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1010 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 9/10ths. Tops 7,000 feet.
      2. Visibility 8 miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 310 degrees. 90 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. GEE AND DR [Dead Reckoning]
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. GEE
   9. Joined task force at ____ hours at _____
   10. Departed English Coast at 1026 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1040 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: 1045 hours.
       2. Coming back: 1115 hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 310 degrees.
       2. 90 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: Checked by GEE
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of bomb run] at 1054 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 322 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 20,000 feet.
       4. Time bombs away ____ hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: Did not bomb due to 10/10 cloud coverage.
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: Only GEE lines of position available most of time over enemy territory from either chain.
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix 50°14'N-02°17'E [Approx. 5 miles N of Doullens, France]
       2. Time 1105 hours.
   17. Comments: Attempted to locate other No Ball targets as targets of opportunity. Unable to do so due to 10/10 cloud coverage. Climbed to 17,000 over Deenethorpe before departure to prevent being low on altitude over control points. Error in transmission or decoding gave wind as obtained by weather ship as 360/75K at 12,000’: thus deviation from flight plan on first leg.

Group: 351st Low Sqdn.
Target: OF OPPORTUNITY – Poix, France
Method of Bombing: Squadron
Altitude: 19,000’
Wind Direction: 310°
Wind Velocity: 104 MPH
Direction of Attack: 310° Mag. Heading
Bombardier’s Narrative: The primary target was obscured by 10/10 clouds so a target of opportunity, an airdrome at Poix, France, was bombed. Two 360° turns were necessary as clouds continued to blow over the target. Bombs were away at 1134 on a magnetic heading of 310°.

[Signed:] Ernest L. Watts, Captain, Air Corps, Lead Bombardier, Low Squadron

The Lead and High squadron of this Group encountered 10/10 cloud and were unable to see their target. Bombs were brought back to base.

Bombardier - Capt. Ernest L. Watts  Pilot - 1st Lt. D.E. McCafferty Navigator - Capt. C. Maze
Aircraft B-17G 879-Q  Take-off - 0848 Landed - 1345
Objective - Target of Opportunity – Airdrome at Poix, France.
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] -
Initial Point -
Method of Attack - Squadron
No. of Attacking A/C in Group - 7   Composite Group -
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: Squadron Composite Group Range Sighting only, Group -    Composite Group -
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 500 lb. G.P. [General Purpose] AN-M43
Number of Bombs Loaded - 12   Released - 12
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Yes - Good
Mean Temp. Metro -14.5 Actual -14.5
Winds - Altitude - 19,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 310°  Actual 310°  Velocity - Metro 104  Actual 104
Temp C. - Metro -32° C. Actual -32° C.

1. This Group furnished three (3) Squadrons for this Mission. However due to 10/10 undercast, both Lead and High Squadrons returned their bombs. The Low Squadron took advantage of a break in the clouds and bombed a Target of Opportunity, the Airdrome at Poix, France.
2. Photo cover was poor and it was impossible to identify any bursts.
3. The bomb load was 12 x 500 lb. G.P. AN-M43 bombs with 1/10 Nose and 1/40 Tail fuse. Type of release was “Salvo”.
4. No release malfunction was reported.

1. The target is a target of opportunity and can be identified as an airdrome at Poix, France. Photo coverage is poor and 10/10th clouds over the point of impact make it impossible to identify any bursts.
2. Bombs away may be plotted at the SE corner of the field over the town of Croixrault.

1. There were no leaflets dropped by this Group on this mission.
2. The low squadron, 510th, dropped on a target of opportunity, an A/D [airdrome] East of Poix. Results were unobserved due to heavy cloud cover.
3. Only one A/C reported any enemy aircraft. They reported 3 – 7 ME 109’s, position undetermined. There were no attacks made on this Group. There are no claims of enemy A/C.
4. AAGF [Anti-Aircraft Gun Fire] was encountered at Amiens where it was meager to moderate and accurate for the lead squadron only. Also at Abbeville the AAGF was meager to moderate and inaccurate.
5. Two squadrons of this Group were forced to bring their bombs back, and the other squadron was forced to bomb a target of opportunity due to 10/10th cloud cover with very few breaks over the target area and most of France.
6. A/C Number 845 [Should be 97492] piloted by Lt. McLott reported a 5 -6 ship convoy 10 miles SW of Dungeness heading NE.
7. Our fighter support was sighted about 1040 to 1045 at the enemy coast in the area of Le Tréport and Dieppe. They were with our Group about 30 minutes to an hour. The escort was evidently giving area coverage as they were sighted intermittently during the mission.
8. Chaff was carried and dropped, but had no beneficial effect as far as could be determined.

1. There is no further information to be added to section 3 of the Narrative Teletype. [Intelligence S-2 Report]
[Signed:] Robert E. Van Beynum, Captain, Air Corp, Ass’t. Group S-2

1. Target: Assigned - NoBall 79 Bombed - Poix A/D [Airdrome], France
2. Route as Flown. - As briefed, except that one squadron swung south to bomb Poix.
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - 9/10 cloud  B. En route - 9 – 10/10 cloud
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - Unseen (b) Enroute - Unseen
 Any Condensation Trails? - None
5. Description of Flak, including type of Fire Control: Meager, accurate for height, fairly accurate for deflection.
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 Amiens, 19,500 ft., moderate, accurate.
 Abbeville, 18,300 – 19,600 ft., moderate, height good, deflection poor.
7. Was Chaff carried? - No How discharged? ___
8. Position of Group - Bombed by Squadron.
9. Group – 351st A/C over enemy terr. – 21 A/C damaged – 2 A/C lost to flak – 0 Time over Target – 1106 Time of bombs away – 1134 Height – 19,000’ Axis of attack – 310° Bomb run – 180
10. Comments - Phenomena: None

1. Following is a summary of the Crew Comments as reported at interrogation of today’s mission:
508th Squadron
A/C K-955 “More Mars Bars.”
510th Squadron
A/C G-038 [Letter designation of plane should be R] Weather forecast very far off. Carbohydrates poor.
511th Squadron
A/C R-714 Would like some sandwiches aboard Aircraft.
A/C F-153 Chaff from A/C ahead fluttered into this aircraft’s path. Chaff from one A/C did not break apart.
A/C U-849 Better met. [meteorological] forecasts needed. Flight plan should be the same as Field Order; not enough time allotted over enemy territory.

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

1. Abortives: NONE.
2. Battle Damage: NONE

1. No armament malfunctions or failures were reported upon completion of the Mission of 13 March, 1944.

1. The Station Ordnance Officer has submitted an expenditure of 7,063 rounds of Caliber .50 ammunition on the Mission of 13 March, 1944.

1. Following is the disposition of bombs on the Mission of 13 March, 1944.

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: 1879–Q, 9849–V, 1955–K, 1711–F
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 1384–T, 9914–S
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 8038–R, 1899–B, 9835–N, 9853–P, 1975–O
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 9849–U, 1714–R, 7492–B, 7825–Q, 7780–G, 9987–D, 8153–F, 1238–A, 7472–H, 1748–V

   
   
2. Target: Z-3031
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T WCR R/T Daisychain		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T WLJ R/T Paramount
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T PJP R/T Ridingwhip		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T SJU R/T Thickfrost

4. ___ Box: Taxi–0825; Take-Off –0840; E.T.D. Field–0840
   

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1026	20,000 Ft	Beachy Head

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1125	20,000 Ft	50°30'N-01°35'E [Etaples, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1145	10,000 Ft	Dungeness

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1245 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
10. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Low Box
    508 Squadron: 12 x 500 [lb] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    509 Squadron: 12 x 500 [lb] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    510 Squadron: 12 x 500 [lb] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    511 Squadron: 12 x 500 [lb] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail
    
    
    
11. Fuel Load of each A/C:
    A/C with TOKIO TANKS: 1700 Gallons A/C without TOKIO TANKS: ____ Gallons
12. Group Leader:
    a. _____ Box: Name: Kelley, Harold G. Rank: Capt. A/C: 8038-R  Sqdn. 510th
    
13. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    Carlson, Clyde P., O-735170, Capt., 9914-S, 509th
14. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:
15. ____ 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			509	1384–T
    	9849–V				9914–S
    	1955–K
    	1711–F
    510	8038–R			511	9849–U
    	1899–B				1714–R
    	9835–N				7492–B
    	9853–P				7825–Q
    	7714–T				7780–G
    					9987–D
    					8153–F
    					7472–H
    					1748–V

    Report Compiled By I.C. Meusing, Cpl.