351st Bomb Group

1. Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.
   
   
2. Time Schedule:

   ___ Box
   Stations   –	0725
   Start Engines –	0735
   Taxi     –	0745
   Take Off   –	0800
   Last Take Off –	0910

   
   Z [Zero] Hour 1000–ETR [Estimated Time of Return] 1245
   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: St. Lo to Periers Area Bombing
   Secondary: Any A/D [Airdrome], M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard], R.R. Bridge, Road, Enemy Convoy, & none of the above targets are to be adjacent to a built-up area, Visual, and not inside bomb line.
   Last Resort: ____
   
   
4. Loading:
   351 “A”: Maximum [No. of] Frags. (20 pounders)
   351 “B”: ____
   Composite: ____
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - ____
   Chaff: Commence at French Coast and continue for 12 minutes. Each A/C [Aircraft] has 288 units.
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading: 2100 gallons
   Remarks: ____
   
   

6. Wing Formation	94th (A) CBW	94th (B) CBW	94th (C) CBW	Comp. CBW
   Lead	401st	457th	351st
   Low	401st	457th	351st
   High	401st	457th	351st

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	94th A	W. of St. Lo, France	1002
   2nd	94th B	W. of St. Lo, France	1003
   3rd	94th C	W. of St. Lo, France	1004
   4th	41st A	W. of St. Lo, France	1005
   5th	41st B	W. of St. Lo, France	1006
   6th	41st C	W. of St. Lo, France	1007
   7th	40th A	W. of St. Lo, France	1008
   8th	40th B	W. of St. Lo, France	1009
   9th	40th C	W. of St. Lo, France	1010
   2nd Division	Yes	Same Area	Precedes 3rd & 1st
   3rd Division	Yes	Same Area	Precedes 1st
   Marauders
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: ____
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]
     Full area support till 0 [Hour] + 120	_______	Balance

     
     
9. Group Assembly:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   351st Lead	13,000'	Kings Cliffe
   351st Low	12,000'	Kings Cliffe
   351st High	14,000'	Kings Cliffe

   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - _____
    
13. Special Instructions to Gunners, Bombardiers, and Radio Operators:
    A. Type of Bombing Formation - 12 Airplane Groups
    B. Camera A/C to return - Lead – O-595 Jizmejian, U-216 Cartwright; Low – S-318 Strange, X-926 Morton; High – K-252 Marsey, L-676 McCall.
    Bombardiers:
    1. Base Reference Alt. – 15,000’.
    2. No second runs will be made; no bombs after 0 + 55 mins.
    3. Bombing Alt. – Lead – 17,000’; Low & High – 16,000’.
    4. Don’t piss on bomb bay motors, racks, etc.
    ***SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS***
    A. Do not bomb short as the penetration route is directly over friendly troops and the targets are 1,500 yards south of forward line.
    B. Red smoke will be laid down by the artillery along the St. Lo – Periers Road at one mile intervals. North boundary of area will be marked at 2 minute interval from 0 [Hour] –5 to 0 +50.
    C. Bomb-bay Doors will be opened prior to crossing French Coast IN.
    D. Assault Troops of the 1st U.S. Army will start advancing into target at 0 + 60 Minutes. Bombing will cease, REPEAT, cease after 0 + 55 minutes. A/C arriving over target after 0 + 55 will bomb Secondary.
    E. No second runs will be made.
    F. Some A/C on Mission run 24 July, 1944, dropped short. American Troops were KILLED and many WOUNDED.
    
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing –	____
    Visual Bombing -	____
    Authenticator –	Five Cats
    Recall -	Home Run Willie
    Weather Code -	AVIBT (Hotmint D – Dog)
    Release "CHAFF" -	Old Tin Hat

    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Remarks
    351st Lead	Woodcraft Charlie Lead	GY [Green Yellow]
    351st Low	Woodcraft Charlie Low	RR [Red Red]
    351st High	Woodcraft Charlie High	GG [Green Green]
    401st A	Woodcraft Able	RY
    401st B
    457th A	Woodcraft Baker	RY
    457th B
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.
    40th C.B.W.
    41st C.B.W.
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Balance
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers	Vinegrove 3
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    

    Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
    _____		H - St. Brieuc
    _____		O - Avranches
    _____		N - Vire
    _____		E - Rouen
    _____		S - Evreux
    _____		T - Paris

    
    Remarks: ____
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0200 – 0800	RR	L	B
    0800 – 1400	RG	I	C
    1400 – 2000	YYR	N	S

    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All available
    2. - Lead - K-557 Edwards; Low - Y-216 Myl; High - R-038 Neal.
    3. - Lead – C-843 Dreyer; Low – H-952 Long; High – R-156 Matre.
    4. - All others for A/S [Air Sea] Rescue.
       
    
    
16. Let-Down on Kings Cliffe, if overcast.
    351st Lead  075° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st Low   060° Mag.
    351st High   090° Mag.
    401st Lead  360° Mag. - COTTESMORE
    401st Low   345° Mag. - COTTESMORE
    401st High   015° Mag. - COTTESMORE
    457th Lead  030° Mag. - GLATTON
    457th Low   015° Mag. - GLATTON
    457th High   045° Mag. - GLATTON
    Composite High High   060° Mag. - GLATTON
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields. - WARMWELL 50°41’N-02°20’W
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    1. Spares will NOT turn back but will fill in diamond on high flight of each box.
    2. Forces will attack with boxes abreast and will attain bombing altitudes after departing English Coast.
    3. 94th CBW SOP [Standard Operating Procedure] #19 will be read to all crew members.
    4. Box leaders will not use VHF to keep ships in formation.
    5. A weather A/C [Aircraft] carrying an Air Commander, Bombardier and Weather Observer will be over the target at 0 – 120 minutes to see if a delay would be necessary. Group Leaders will be prepared to delay up to 1½ hours after take-off.
    6. On oxygen 0345.
    

1. General Narrative. Three boxes were scheduled to fly as the 94th “C” Combat Wing formation on the mission of 25 July, 1944. Thirty-nine aircraft, including three ships scheduled as flying spares, took off at 0750 – 0810 hours.
    Assembly of the three boxes and of the combat wing formation was made at the Kings Cliffe buncher at 13,000 feet. No difficulties were encountered, and the departure from the buncher was made at 0910½ - thirty seconds early.
    A divergency [sic] to the west of course was flown between the assembly point and Newbury when another combat wing forced the 94th “C” off of course.
    Departure from the English coast was made as briefed and on course. The briefed route was followed to the target, which was reached at 1046 – four minutes late. Some difficulty had been encountered when the formation was once again forced slightly off course by another combat wing before reaching the target.
    In accordance with division instructions, the lead box bombed from 12,600 feet, and the high and low boxes attacked from altitudes of 12,200 feet and 11,300 feet.
    The return to base was made as briefed. The enemy coast was crossed at 8,500 feet and the English coast was reached five minutes late at 5,600 feet. Return to base was flown without incident.
    No enemy aircraft opposition was encountered. Flak was meager and inaccurate. The friendly fighter cover was good.
   
2. Aircraft Not Attacking. There were no failures to attack. The flying spares remained with the formation for the entire mission.
   
3. Aircraft Lost. No aircraft were lost on the Mission of 25 July, 1944.
   
4. Combat Wing Air Commander and Group Leaders. Lt. Colonel Robert W. Burns, Captain Lee H. Dennis, and Lt. Anthony J. Zotollo led the combat wing, high box and low box respectively.
   
5. PFF Aircraft: No PFF aircraft were employed on the mission of this date.
   

Bombardier’s Narrative for tactical targets for mission of this date.

1. Encountered heavy prop [wash] on the bombing run.
2. Due to the prop wash, the C-1 Pilot was not used.
3. No difficulties encountered in identifying the Aiming Point.
4. Aimed 1,500’ short of the briefed M.P.I. [Mean Point of Impact].
5. A normal turn was made at the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run].
6. Bombing results was [sic] good.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Lee, Robert E.   Pilot - Lt. Colonel Burns, R.W. & Captain Floden, D.E. Navigator - Captain Badger, William D.
Aircraft # Q-879  Take-off - 0750  Landed - 1248
Objective - Tactical Target – Northwest of St. Lo, France
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As briefed – 1,500’ short of briefed M.P.I.
Initial Point - As briefed.
Method of Attack - Group
Number of Attacking A/C in Group - 12    Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own sighting operation - ONE
Deflection and Range sighting, Group - Lead A/C   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____    Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 6 x 20 LB. to a cluster.
Number of Bombs Loaded - 24    Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - Inst. [Instantaneous]    Tail - ____
Synchronization - ____
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Deflection Left, Rate over
Mean Temp. Metro +12 Actual +14
Winds - Altitude - 12,600 Ft.  Direction - Metro 260° Actual 295° Velocity - Metro 20 Actual 18
Temp C. - Metro -5° C. Actual + #2° C.

Bombardier’s Narrative for tactical targets for mission of this date.

1. Encountered prop wash from other groups on the bombing run.
2. C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was used, but was disengaged by the pilot.
3. Picked up target 60 seconds before “Bombs Away”.
4. Briefed A.P. [Aiming Point] was used.
5. A normal turn was made at the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run]
6. Bombing results was [sic] good.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Robinson, Elmer R.  Pilot - Captain Dennis, Lee H. Navigator - 1st Lt. Washburn, William F.
Aircraft B-17G   W-077  Take-off - 0758 Landed - 1302
Objective - Tactical Target – Northwest of St. Lo, France
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As briefed.
Initial Point - As briefed.
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 12   Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: ONE
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: Lead A/C   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____    Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 6 x 20 LB. to a cluster
Number of Bombs Loaded - 38   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - Inst. [Instantaneous]   Tail - ___
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Good – As briefed.
Mean Temp. Metro +12 Actual +14
Winds - Altitude - 12,200 Ft.  Direction - Metro 260°  Actual 295°  Velocity - Metro 20  Actual 18
Temp C. - Metro -5° C. Actual -2° C.

Bombardier’s Narrative for tactical targets for mission of this date.

1. Encountered heavy prop wash on bombing run
2. Due to the heavy prop wash, pilot disengaged the C-1 Pilot [Autopilot].
3. Smoke made target hard to locate, but synchronization was made in plenty of time.
4. Briefed Aiming Point was used.
5. A normal turn was made at the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run
6. Good bombing results were observed.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Dunnigan, John E.   Pilot - 1st Lt. Zotollo, Anthony J. Navigator - 1st Lt. Gootee, Norman L.
Aircraft # U-381  Take-off - 0754  Landed - 1318
Objective - Tactical Target – Northwest of St. Lo, France
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As briefed.
Initial Point - As briefed.
Method of Attack - Group
Number of Attacking A/C in Group - 13    Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own sighting operation - ONE
Deflection and Range sighting, Group - Lead A/C   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____    Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 6 x 20 LB. to a cluster
Number of Bombs Loaded - 38    Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - Inst. [Instantaneous]   Tail - ____
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Good
Mean Temp. Metro +12 Actual +14
Winds - Altitude - 11,300 Ft.  Direction - Metro 260° Actual 250° Velocity - Metro 20 Actual 16
Temp C. - Metro -5° C. Actual + #3° C.

1. The three boxes of this Group were assigned tactical targets in the area of St. Lo, France. Photo coverage was only fair due to the long trail of the fragmentation bombs.
2. The bombs of the lead box fell approximately one and three-quarters of a mile SSE of the target area. The bombs fell mainly into open fields, but some bursts fell into a small hamlet and some hit on the road from St. Lo to St. Gilles. The bombs cover an area approximately 4,800 feet by 3,300 feet.
3. The bombs of the low box fell approximately 4,500 feet South of the target. Bombs fell in fields and across the road from St. Gilles to Hebecrevon.
4. The bombs of the high box fell approximately 5,400 feet SE of the target in the area of La Chapelles-En-Juger. The bombs fell across two roads and into fields.

    508th Squadron
A/C 004-H: Woodcraft Able had idle chatter over VHF all the time. Somebody also gave bombing altitude in clear. – Lt. Lord.
A/C 349-B: Suggest bombardiers have brief case for target folder; too much chance of people learning the target when folder is mislaid. Woodcraft Baker talked too much on VHF. – Lt. Branaman.
A/C 258-P: Woodcraft “A” and Woodcraft “B” should be reprimanded for useless use of VHF. – Lt. Wright.
A/C 146-D: Not enough red artillery shells to give line. – Lt. Porter.
Too many groups on target at once. – Lt. Pattison

    509th Squadron
A/C 696-Z: Air speed too fast in traffic pattern, indicating 200 MPH. Leaders speed too fast. – Lt. Guthrey.

    510th Squadron
A/C 156-R: A fighter called and told us that we were bombing 3,000 feet short; he would not give any authentication, but several planes relayed the information anyway and caused a lot of unnecessary conversation. – Lt. Matre.

    511th Squadron
A/C 216-Y: Still too much talking about target before the mission takes off. – Officers.
A/C 964-M: We had to wait an hour for a truck to bring us in from the plane today. We always have to wait. – All Officers.
A/C 524-D: I have been staff sergeant for 2½ years and deserve a promotion. – Sgt. Cameron.

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

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. None
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 44-6139, 511th Squadron. One flak hole #3 nacelle, damaging supercharger.
   
   

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		DAMAGE BY FLAK
   1		1		1

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

   a. 94th "C" Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: Q–1879, B–7349, K–7557, G–7850, N–7727, P–7258, L–7920, C–7843, H–8004, D–8146
   Sqdn 509th A/C: N–7169, U–7216, O–7595
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None
   P.F.F. Sqdn ___ A/C: ____

   
   

   b. 94th "C" Combat Wing   Low Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: G–6078, P–7193, X–7926, M–9764
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: U–7381, Y–7216, D–7524, H–2952, X–7571, K–6139, B–7492, S–7318, P–1875

   
   

   b. 94th "C" Combat Wing   High Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: None
   Sqdn 509th A/C: W–6077, Y–6108, R–6156, L–7676, Z–7696
   Sqdn 510th A/C: C–2576, D–7597, T–7705, V–1509, R–8038, S–7512, M–7196, K–7252
   Sqdn 511th A/C: None

2. Target: Photo Map Book 4902 W, Sheets D22 and E22.
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T LHC R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T THH R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T LPK R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T SDD R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. High Box: Taxi – 0745; Take-Off – 0800; E.T.D. Field – 0800
   b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1004	16,000 Ft	Selsey Bill

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1035	16,000 Ft	49°25'N-01°10'W [2.5 miles E of Audouville-la-Hubert, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1046	16,000 Ft	49°08'N-01°35'W [1 mile NNW of Anneville-sur-Mer, France]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1146	5,000 Ft	Portland Bill

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1245 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: Lead Box
    508 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    509 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    510 Squadron: None
    511 Squadron: None
    
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: Low Box
    508 Squadron: None
    509 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    510 Squadron: None
    511 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: High Box
    508 Squadron: None
    509 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    510 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] Frags. [Fragmentation Bombs]
    511 Squadron: None
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2100 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: R.W. Burns Rank: Lt. Col. A/C: Q-1879  Sqdn. 508th
    b. Low Box: Name: Anthony J. Zotollo Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: U-7381 Sqdn. 511th
    c. High Box: Name: Lee H. Dennis Rank: Capt. A/C: W-6077 Sqdn. 511th
    
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None
15. PFF A/C: Mone
    

Report Compiled By Batinchok, Cpl.