22 Sep. 1944 Target: Kassel, Germany

Group Mission #207

Credited Mission #201

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DATE: 22 Sep. 1944

Target: Locomotive Works, Kassel, Germany (Secondary)

Briefing Outline:

Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.

Time Schedule:

____ Box
Stations –	0935
Start Engines –	0945
Taxi –	0955
Take Off –	1010
Last Take Off –	1127

Targets:
Primary: Kassel - Landarmament Factory
Secondary: Kassel - Locomotive Works
Last Resort: Any Military Objective Positively Identified in Germany and East of Current Strategic Bomb Line.
Loading:
351 “A”: 6/500 Lb. G.P.'s [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/100 Tail [Fuses] & 6 M17 IB's [Incendiary Bomb]
351 “B”:
Composite:
Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - ____
Chaff: Each A/C 360 Units. All A/C Commence Release at I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] & Continue for 15 Min.
Gasoline Loading: 2500 gallons
Remarks: ____

Wing Formation:

Wing Formation	94th (A) CBW	94th (B) CBW
Lead	351	401
Low	351	401
High	351	401

Division Formation:

Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
Lead	1st "A"	Kassel	1151
2nd	1st "B"	Kassel	1153
3rd	40th "A"	Kassel	1155
4th	40th "B"	Kassel	1157
5th	94th "A"	Kassel	1159
6th	94th "B"	Kassel	1201
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
2nd Division		Kassel	Leaving Great Yarmouth Following 1st Division
3rd Division		Kassel	Leaving Orfordness to Lead 1st Division
Marauders
RAF [Royal Air Force]

Remarks: ____
Base Ref. Alt. - 23,000'
Division Assembly Line Clacton to 5113-0255. Interval between CBW's 2 min.
All CBW's will fly common route.

Fighter Cover:

[Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]
_________	English Coast
_________	5113-0255	e
364 Grp P-51's	5038-0530	Balance 2-1 Front
359 Grp P-51's	_______	Balance 2-2 Rear
_________	5005-0743

Fighters will rendezvous and stay with bombers through target and withdrawal. 2nd and 3rd divisions each will have 2 Groups of P-51 support.

Group Assembly:

Box	Altitude	Place
351st Lead	11,000'	Kings Cliffe
351st High	12,000'	Kings Cliffe
351st Low	10,000'	Kings Cliffe

Navigator - _____
S-2 - _____
Weather - _____
Special Instructions to Gunners, Bombardiers, and Radio Operators:
A. Type of Bombing Formation -
Intervalometer Setting - Visual or PFF 140'
Scope Photos will be taken from I.P. to Target.
Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.

(A) Code Words –

PFF Bombing –	In Clear
Visual Bombing –	In Clear
Authenticator –	St. Louis Blues
Recall –	Cards In National
Weather Code –	TVBIA
Release "CHAFF" –	In Clear

(B) Call Signs:

	Call Sign	Flares
351st Lead	Woodcraft Able Lead	GY [Green Yellow]
351st High	Woodcraft Able High	GG
351st Low	Woodcraft Able Low	RR
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	Balance Two
R.A.F. Fighters
Bombers	Vinegrove 2-5
U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
R.A.F. Grnd. Control

Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
English Coast - 1		J - Liege
5113-0255 - 2		I - Coblenz
5038-0530 - 3		G - Kassel
5005-0743 - 4		______

Remarks: 2nd & 3rd Division will each have 2 Grps. P-51's
Fighters will Rendezvous & stay with bombers thru target & withdrawal.

(D)

Colors of the Day
Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
0100 – 0700	RY	X	D
0700 – 1300	RG	N	P
1300 – 1900	RR	I	B

(E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]

- All except:
- F-124; M-900; F-674
- A-465; p-258; z-696
-

Let-Down on Kings Cliffe, if overcast.
351st A 030° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
351st B ___° Mag.
401st A ___° Mag.
457th A ___° Mag.
Flying Control. –
1. Taxi Plan.
2. Emergency Fields - Bradwell 5144N-0054E.
3. Landing Aids.
Special Instructions:
A. Camera A/C to Return - Bennett N-665; Jizmijian P-258; & Daugherty T-384.
Spares turn back: Belgium Coast.
Scouting Force "Buckeye Red" (8 P-51's) will be in target area 20 min. before arrival of "Swordfish Able Leader" & will report target area weather. Will withdraw along bomber route reporting conditions likely to affect briefed plan.

Operational Narrative – 94th “C” CBW:

Date of Mission - 22 September, 1944.

Target – Kassel, Germany (Primary Target).
Force – 94th "A" Combat Wing. Thirty-eight aircraft including two flying spares and three PFF ships took off.
Position – Briefed as fifth and flew as sixth in First Division.

Lead Team

	Wing Lead
	Combat Wing Air Commander:	Lt. Col. Paul D. Wood.
	Pilot:	1st Lt. John T. Eickhoff.
	Navigator:	1st Lt. John R. Gulnac.
	Bombardier:	1st Lt. Warren C. Steitz.

Narrative:
1. Group & Wing Assembly - The assembly was carried out as planned at the Kings Cliffe Buncher at 11,000 feet.
2. Route Over England – Departure from the assembly point was made on time (1124). Wisbech [England] was reached on time (1134).
3. Division Assembly – Flown slightly to the left of the briefed course. No difficulties were encountered, and departure from the English Coast was made one minute early (1159) from Clacton. It is believed that the 94th "A" Combat Wing was sixth in First Division, rather than fifth, the briefed position. The 94th "B" Combat Wing had been heard over VHF [radio] between the assembly point and Clacton announcing its arrival at control points. It is believed that through some miscalculations in timing or through an error in the watch settings of the 94th "B" Combat Wing it was approximately five minutes ahead of the 94th "A" Wing. It did not fly the mission behind the 94th "A" Wing as planned.
4. Flight to Target – Flown with little variance from the briefed route. The Belgian Coast was crossed five minutes late at 16,500 feet, 1,500 feet below the briefed altitude. A gradually increasing variance to the south of course was flown in order to keep in the proper position in respect to preceding formations. However, when the turn to the north of course was made the briefed route was followed. The IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was reached ten minutes late.
5. Description of Bombing Run – The briefed route was flown. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was used with no malfunctions. Results were unobserved as bombing was done by PFF methods. The Low and High Boxes bombed on the smoke markers of the Lead Box.
6. Flight From Target – Evasive action was taken just after leaving the target. The briefed route was followed on the withdrawal to the right of course in an attempt to keep away from the bad weather. Departure from the Belgian Coast was made at 1610 - four minutes late - at 10,000 feet. A normal let down procedure was followed while flying to the right of course in attempting to stay in the area of best weather. The English Coast was reached at 1641 - five minutes late - at 10,000 feet. A further let down was made in the return to base. Haze had made a rapid descent from the enemy coast impossible.
7. Fighter Support – Good.
8. Comments – No enemy aircraft were encountered. No aircraft were lost. Flak was moderate and accurate.
9. Aircraft Not Attacking – Two flying spares returned as planned. The remaining thirty-six aircraft attacked the primary target. [The Bombardier's report and the Combat Bombing Flight Record state that the group bombed the Secondary target by PFF means.]

[Signed] Carl C. Hinkle, Jr., Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer

STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

	94th "A" COMBAT WING FORMATION
	Lead Box	High Box	Low Box	TOTAL
No. of A/C Failing to Take Off	0	0	0	0
No. of A/C Airborne	13	13	12	38
No. of A/C Airborne Less Unused Spares	12	12	12	36
No. of A/C Sorties	12	12	12	36
No. of A/C Attacking	12	12	12	36
No. of A/C Not Attacking	0	0	0	0
Name of Primary Target	Kassel, Germany
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary Target	12	12	12	36
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs	70 x 500# GP 72 x 500# Incd.	71 x 500# GP 72 x 500# Incd.	72 x 500# GP 72 x 500# Incd.	214 x 500# GP 215 x 500# Incd.
Name of Secondary Target
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Last Resort Target (LRT)
(A) No. of A/C Attacking LRT
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Target of Opportunity (T.O.)
(A) No. of A/C Attacking T.O.
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
No. of A/C Lost - Total	0	0	0	0
No. of A/C Lost - Flak
No. of A/C Lost - Flak and E/A
No. of A/C Lost - Enemy Aircraft
No. of A/C Lost - Accident
No. of A/C Lost - Unknown
Time of Take Off	1008	1009	1010
Time of Attack	1415	1415	1415
Average Time of Flight	7:14	7:32	7:43
Altitude of Release	26,893’	27,493’	26,293’
Visual or PFF	PFF	PFF	PFF
Enemy Resistance – AA Intensity & Accuracy	Moderate and Accurate	Moderate and Inaccurate	Moderate and Accurate
Enemy Resistance – Fighter	0	0	0	0
Enemy Resistance – Bombers	0	0	0	0
U.S. A/C Engaged by Enemy Aircraft	0	0	0	0
Degree of Success	RESULTS UNOBSERVED

PFF A/C were borrowed from Groups as follows: None
PFF A/C were loaned to Groups as follows: None
3 PFF A/C included above. Lead Box - 2; High Box - 1. All three attacked.

Bombardier’s Report For The Mission Of This Date:
94th "A" Wing
Target - Kassel, Germany (Secondary - PFF)

The Lead Box 94th "A" Wing dropped their bombs on Kassel, Germany by "H2X" method. Results were unobserved.
The High Box 94th "A" Wing dropped on the smoke marker of the Lead Box on a Mag. [Magnetic] heading of 150°
The Low Box 94th "A" Wing dropped on the smoke marker of the Lead Box on a Mag. [Magnetic] heading of 152°

[Signed] William B. Lyttle, Captain, Air Corps, Group Bombardier.

Combat Bombing Flight Record:

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Steitz, Warren C.
Pilot - Lt. Col. Wood, P.D. & 1st Lt. Eickhoff
Navigator - 1st Lt. Gulnac, J.R.

Aircraft B-17G L-045 Take-off - 1008 Landed - 1722
Objective - Kassel, Germany (Secondary - PFF)
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - H2X
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Wing
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 36 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 - G.P.[General Purpose] 500-LB. AN-M43 & I.B. [Incendiary Bomb], 500-Lb.
Number of Bombs Loaded - 5 x G.P's & 6 x I.B's Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - (1/10 G.P.'s Tail - 1/40 G.P.'s)
Synchronization - H2X On

Information at Release Point: Dropped by H2X method.

Altitude of Target - 600'		Magnetic Heading Ordered 140° Actual 159°
True Altitude Above Target - 26,893'		True Heading 153°
Indicated Altitude - 27,000'		Drift, Estimated 6° Left - Actual 7° Left
Pressure Altitude of Target +527		True Track 146°
Altimeter Setting 29.92		Actual Range 15041.5
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 150K		B.S. Type - M-9
True Air Speed - 230K		Time of Release 1415
Ground Speed Est. 261 Actual 255		Length of Bombing Run - 11 min.
Wind Direction Metro - 270° Actual - 272°		Intervalometer Setting - 140 Ft.
Wind Velocity Metro 30 Actual 32		C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] - X [Used]
D.S. - 122 Trail - 62 ATF - 43.42		A-5 Pilot _____
Tan. D.A, Est. .56 Actual .56		Manual Pilot - ____

Type of Release - Train - 140'
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro - 8.5 Actual - 8.5
Winds - Altitude - 28,000 Ft. Direction - Metro 270° Actual 272° Velocity - Metro 30 Actual 32
Temp C. - Metro -36° C. Actual -32° C.

Intelligence S-2 Reports:

No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
Due to 8/10ths cloud cover photos showed no bomb strikes. Bombing results were unobserved.
No enemy aircraft were encountered, and no claims are being submitted.
Flak at the target was meager to moderate, fairly accurate for the lead and low groups and inaccurate for the high. There was meager fairly accurate flak from the Rhine River at 1324 and 1457, and from the Eder Dam area. Moderate, fairly accurate flak was encountered at Wiesbaden and Coblenz. Moderate flak was observed at the Moselle River near 5010 N. - 0710 E., and over Frankfurt.
There was 6-8/10ths cloud coverage in the target area.
Moderate barge activity was observed on the Rhine River.
Bombing was done by PFF units. The fighter support was good. Scouting Force report was received OK.

Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge

Combat Crew Comments:

508th Squadron:
A/C 978-J: Lead going too fast. Had to pull too much from the engines. - Lt. Sullivan.
A/C 405-D: Not enough rations for the mission. Fourteen hours between meals on a candy bar and two cookies is tough. - Lt. Sullivan.
A/C 958-L: B-24s slid underneath formation; pulled out just in time to allow for bombs away. - Lt. Crutchen.
A/C 900-M: Air Commanders should use "B" and "C" channels as well as "A" channel to inform group of wing action. - Lt. Kennedy.

509th Squadron:
A/C 676-L: The formation was very good. Capt. Viste led us around the flak well. - Lt. G.T. Walker.
A/C 171-Y: Let's take off up-wind next time. Had to use flaps on take-off. - Lt. M.R. Walker.
A/C 964-M: Ball turret in ship 914-S isn't in operation; ball turret in ship 676-L started operating when formation was deep in Germany. - Crew.

510th Squadron:
A/C 465-A: Suggest two approach signal pots. - Lt. McFarland.
A/C 124-F: Main runway should be more brilliantly lighted on hazy days. - Crew
A/C 687-Z: Suggest aircraft maintain an altitude of 25,000 feet over the Rhine. - Lt. Hillebrand.
A/C 576-C: Good formation at bombs away. - Lt. Purcell.
A/C 714-R: We were among the first to land, but had to wait more than one hour to be brought in. - Lt. Miller.

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

Mission Summary Report:

Abortives and Flying Spares:
1. Airplane No. 43-37727, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned. (Reason: Flying Spare).
2. Airplane No. 43-38432, 509th Squadron, returned early as planned. (Reason: Flying Spare).
Battle Damage:
1. Airplane No. 42-38038, 510th Squadron. Flak hole in #3 nacelle damaging #6 cylinder, pushrod, sump and intake pipe. (Major)
2. Airplane No. 43-37512, 510th Squadron. Flak hole on underside of fuselage between ball turret and bomb-bay causing skin damage. Flak skin hole in underside of right inner wing panel. Flak hole on underside of left outer wing panel damaging skin, corrugation and tokio tank. (Major)
TOTAL A/C DAMAGED MAJOR DAMAGE BY FLAK

2 2 2

[Signed:] John W. Freeman, Captain, Air Corps, Group Engineering Officer.

Armament Report:

A negative malfunction report is submitted for the Mission of 22 September, 1944.

[Signed:] Clemert E. Hayes, Captain, Air Corps, Armament Officer

“J” Form:

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

a. 94th "A" Combat Wing Lead Group
Sqdn 508th A/C:
Sqdn 509th A/C: (P-8432 Spare)
Sqdn 510th A/C: F–7124, G–7862, K–7252, R–8038, C–2576, A–8465, H–8280, N–7665, S–7512
Sqdn 511th A/C: L–8045 PFF, Z–7687 PFF, R–1714

b. 94th "A" Combat Wing High Group
Sqdn 508th A/C: Z–7965 PFF, B–7349, Q–1879, K–8130, F–1711, R–1192, D–8405, M–7900, D–7258, C–7843, L–7956, J–7978, (N–7727 Spare)
Sqdn 509th A/C:
Sqdn 510th A/C:
Sqdn 511th A/C:

c. 94th "A" Combat Wing Low Group
Sqdn 508th A/C:
Sqdn 509th A/C: Z–7696, F–7674, R–6156, T–1384, L–7676, N–7169, M–7964, S–9914
Sqdn 510th A/C: D–7957, P–2955
Sqdn 511th A/C: D–7524, Y–8171

Target: GN-5808 Bldg. 4/2

W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T NBJ R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T RNQ R/T TIPSTAFF
Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T JJW R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T WXM R/T PARTNERSHIP

a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0955; Take-Off – 1010; E.T.D. Field – At Take Off
b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____
Time: Height: Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)

1159 13,000 Ft Clacton
Time: Height: Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)

1224 18,000 Ft 51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]
Time: Height: Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)

1601 10,000 Ft 51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]
Time: Height: Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)

1631 5,000 Ft Clacton
E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: ~~1659~~ 1704 Hours
MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "G"
Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
508 Squadron: All A/C: 6 x 500 GP's [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses] Sta. 2 - 7 - 10 - 23 - 28 - 31
509 Squadron: 6 x M-17 IB's [Incendiary] Sta. 11 - 18 - 21 - 32 - 39 - 42
510 Squadron:
511 Squadron:

Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" High Box
508 Squadron: Same
509 Squadron:
510 Squadron:
511 Squadron:

Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Low Box
508 Squadron: Same
509 Squadron:
510 Squadron:
511 Squadron:
Fuel Load of each A/C: 2500 Gallons
Group Leader:
a. Lead Box: Name: P.D. Wood Rank: Lt. Col. A/C: L-8045 Sqdn. 511th
b. High Box: Name: E.A. Poston Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: Z-7965 Sqdn. 508th
c. Low Box: Name: G.D. Viste Rank: Capt. A/C: D-7957 Sqdn. 510th
Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
None

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
1159	13,000 Ft	Clacton

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
1224	18,000 Ft	51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
1601	10,000 Ft	51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
1631	5,000 Ft	Clacton

Report Compiled By Batinchok, Cpl.

Formation Chart:

94th "A" CBW Lead Box Formation at Take–Off and Over Target
				510th Squadron
				Col. Wood–Eickhoff A/C 44-8045 L PFF
			Gray A/C 42-107124 F		Hillebrand A/C 42-97687 Z PFF
	Purcell–Marsey A/C 42-102576 C						Matre A/C 43-37862 G
McFarland A/C 43-38465 A		Miller A/C 42-31714 R				Theys A/C 42-38038 R		McGee A/C 42-97252 K
	Barnhart A/C 44-8280 H						Wooten A/C 43-38432 P Spare*
Cramer A/C 43-37512 S		Bennett A/C 43-37665 N

[* - Spare Aircraft returned as planned.]

94th "A" CBW High Box Formation at Take–Off and Over Target
				508th Squadron
				Poston A/C 42-97965 Z PFF
			Trapp A/C 42-31879 Q		Muhleman A/C 42-97349 B
	Ballard A/C 43-38405 D						Moulton A/C 43-38130 K
Jizmejian A/C 42-97258 P		Kennedy A/C 43-37900 M				Stahl A/C 42-31192 R		Wishnewsky A/C 42-31711 F
	Angelini A/C 43-97843 C						Galloway A/C 43-37727 N Spare*
Sullivan A/C 43-37978 J		Crutcher A/C 43-37956 L

[* - Spare Aircraft returned as planned.]

94th "A" CBW Low Box Formation at Take–Off and Over Target
				509th Squadron
				Viste–Hammond A/C 43-37957 D
			Johnston A/C 43-38428 A		Weatherman A/C 42-102955 P
	Walker, M.R. A/C 43-38171 Y						Tebbel A/C 43-37524 D
Daugherty A/C 42-31384 T		Walker, G.T. A/C 43-37676 L				Baseshore A/C 44-6156 R		Cunningham A/C 43-37674 F
	Seacrest A/C 42-97169 N
Knight A/C 42-39914 S		Petersen A/C 43-37964 M

Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 1130 BST [British Standard Time] Briefing: 0715 Stations: 0935 Start Engines: 0945 Taxi: 0955
Take-Off: 1010 Leave Base: 1010 [Breakfast: Enlisted Men 0545; Officers 0615]

[Wounded On Mission: 0]

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The above records were obtained at the National Archives Records Administration and have been declassified by authority NND 745005

Please contact us with your comments and corrections.

351st Bomb Group

Polebrook, England

Group Mission #207

Credited Mission #201

TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MAJOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK
2		2		2