351st Bomb Group

1. The target was attacked by the use of PFF equipment with visual assistance.
2. The Lead Squadron performed all sighting operations with the Low and High Squadrons following in trail and bombing on the leader's smoke marker.
3. A normal turn was made at the briefed I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run].
4. There was about seven to eight-tenths cloud cover over the target.
5. The briefed MPI [Mean Point of Impact] was covered with clouds but the eastern edge of the plant was identified about one minute before the bomb Release line.
6. Interference on the bombing run was caused by flak and clouds.
7. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was used and functioned satisfactory.
8. The PFF equipment in the lead ship went out about half way down the bomb run and the deputy lead took over. Due to severe interference, the mickey [radar] operator picked up Gottingen and started a bomb run. Northeast of Kassel it was realized that the set was not operating properly. The course was altered and a PFF run was started on the PFF target in Kassel. The PFF equipment in the deputy plane went out completely on this run. The leader attempted to make a visual run on Kassel when the primary was seen through a break in the clouds. The course was again altered and a six mile run was taken on the primary target.

Bombardier - 2nd. Lt. Kline, Lloyd M.
Pilot - 1st. Lt. Bartzocas, Arthur
Navigator - 2nd. Lt. Mendell, C.E.

Aircraft B-17G   825-Q  Take-off - 0652 Landed - 1358
Objective - Ordnance Depot, Kassel, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - No. 6 Building
Initial Point - ____
Method of Attack - Group
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: One.   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - None   Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - Low Sqdn. 500# I.B.'s M-17; Lead & High Sqdns. 500: G.P.[General Purpose] AN-M43
Number of Bombs Loaded - 10   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - PFF with sight thrown on target at last minute.

Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train 100'
Point of Impact If Seen - Strikes reported in target area.
Mean Temp. Metro -15.5 Actual -15.5
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 300°  Actual 005°  Velocity - Metro 80K  Actual 65K
Temp C. - Metro -38° C. Actual -38° C.

1. The target for the three squadrons of this group was the Ordnance Depot at Kassel, Germany. Bombing was done by PFF with a visual assist. Photo cover is fair for all squadrons.
2. The bombs of the lead squadron fell in the target area but clouds prevent accurate damage assessment. Three bursts can be seen on the small M/Y [RR Marshalling Yard] next to the depot and several bursts can be seen in the vicinity of the eastern end of the buildings.
3. The bombs of the low squadron were dropped on smoke markers of the lead squadron and landed approximately one half mile short of the target area.
4. The high squadron dropped on the smoke markers of the lead squadron and the bombs fell approximately one mile short of the target.

1. No leaflets were carried on today's mission.
2. Bombing was done by PFF methods with visual assist. A PFF run was started on Kassel but at the last moment the target was seen and a 45 second run made on the primary. The lead squadron bombing was fair with a scattered pattern. The low and high squadron dropped on the smoke markers of the lead squadron, with poor results.
3. No enemy A/C were encountered by this group.
4. There was moderate to intense continuous following flak at the target. On the way in moderate accurate continuous following was encountered in the vicinity of Koblenz. There were also a few accurate bursts on the way out over the Weser River 10 miles South of Kassel.
5. Eight to nine/tenths cloud in surrounding areas. 5/10 cloud coverage over target.
6. About 14 barrage balloons were noted at 51°10'N-09°04'E [Edersee, Germany] at a height of approximately 5,000 feet, suspended over a dam.
7. Bombing was done by means of PFF with visual assistance. Fighter support was very good. None of our A/C is missing

    509th Squadron:
A/C 854-V: We never got the order to test fire our guns as we were briefed. - All Gunners.
  No rations in our ship today. - Entire Crew.
  The low flight lead of the lead box did very poor flying today. Over the target, for instance, he forced #2 man completely out
  the box making him take a position to the left of #3. - Lt. Walker.
A/C 169-N: Suggest better formations. - Lt. Horowitz.
A/C 914-S: There were no rations in our ship today. - All Officers.
  EM [Enlisted men] say they were not called in time to get breakfast this morning. - Lt. Powell.
A/C 591-U: Ship M-964 flew level with lead element, kept our ship directly behind left wingman of lead element. - Entire crew.
  Our ship was new and unprepared for combat flying. - Capt. Wooten.
A/C 384-T: Suggest rations be delivered before take off. - Entire Crew.
A/C 595-O: A/C S-914 was very poor lead and ball turret did not move. - Lt. Peterson.
A/C 432-P: There were no rations in our plane today. - Lt. Seacrest.
  Formation was very badly scattered out because of confusion in the lead on the bomb run. - Lt. Secrest.

    510th Squadron:
A/C 461-T: Bomb bay doors open too long. - All Officers.
A/C 280-H: Ship from lead box dropped and caused low deputy to fall out of formation. - Entire Crew.
A/C 512-S: Someone kept pressing down on the VHF mike button during the entire mission. There was too much unnecessary
  chatter on Command Set. - Lt. Theys.
A/C 465-A: Prop wash from deputy lead near target disrupted entire formation. - Lt. McFarland
A/C 252-K: Formation was very poor on the bomb run. - Lt. McGee.
A/C 955-P: Suggest throwing out chaff over flak guns on Rhine River. - Lt. Vagias.
A/C 038-R: 2nd element leader in low squadron never was in formation; sometimes he was five or ten miles out. - Lt. Ford.

    511th Squadron:
A/C 428-Z: Why did we let down over Channel instead of over station where weather was clear? - Lt. McNamara.
A/C 518-N: Our EM [Enlisted Men] still do not have any heat in their barracks, as they have no stoves. - Lt. Cregar.
A/C 676-P: Plane has no heater system; instruments weren't set; throttles, manifold pressure, fuel pressure weren't synchronized.
  No oxygen in walk-around bottles, no sight on right nose gun; waist and nose guns couldn't be stowed. - Lt. Johnson.
A/C 070-G: The formation was very bad. - Lt. Hadley.
A/C 435-H: Wonderful fighter support. - Lt. Schwartz.
A/C 571-X: P-47's came in too close according to tail gunner. - Lt. Kohler.

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-37676, 509th Squadron, returned early, as planned. (Reason: Flying Spare).
   2. Airplane No. 420107124, 510th Squadron, returned early. Pilot stated #4 propeller ran away. Aircraft was ground checked and flight checked at altitude and a faulty #4 prop governor was discovered. (Reason: Mechanical failure).
   3. Airplane No. 42-97701, PFF, returned early. Pilot claimed #3 propeller ran away. Aircraft was ground checked and flight checked at altitude and no mechanical defects were discovered. (Reason: Personnel Error) It is believed that the Pilot was not guilty of poor judgment. Classified as Other.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-39914, 509th Squadron. One flak hole bottom left wing tip, one flak hole bottom right wing tip, skin and corrugation damage only. Two flak holes leading edge of left stabilizer, one of which emerged through top, skin damage only. (Minor).
   2. Airplane No. 43-37854, 509th squadron. Four flak holes through left wing tip. One flak hole through right outboard wing panel. Skin damage only. (Minor).
   3. Airplane No. 43-37665, 510th Squadron. Flak hole through right stabilizer, skin and stringer damaged. Flak hole right side of dorsal fin. Two flak holes underside right wing. Flak damage to fabric of left elevator. (Minor).
   4. Airplane No. 44-6082, 510th Squadron. flak hole through right elevator. Flak hole through left stabilizer, damaging three bulkheads, and elevator control. Flak damage to ball turret support. Long flak tear in fabric of rudder, left side. Two flak skin holes underside right wing. One flak hole underside left wing, damaging #1 fuel tank. Two flak skin holes left side of fuselage, under bombardier's window. (Major).
   5. Airplane No. 43-37957, 510th Squadron. Flak hole through left wing, inboard panel. Flak skin damage underside right stabilizer. Flak damage to plexi-glass nose. Flak hole left wing fairing. Flak hole top of right wing, skin damage only. (Minor).
   6. Airplane No. 43-38518, 511th Squadron. Flak entered bottom of left aileron and entered wing, skin damage only. Flak hole through left aileron. Flak skin hole right side of fuselage, forward of waist window. Flak hole underside left wing inboard panel. Flak hole through #3 accessory cowl, damaging oil line. Flak cut #3 cowl flap, and damaged flap mounting bracket. Flak damage to #4 cowl, hit carbon dioxide line to engine. (Major).
   7. Airplane No. 43-38435, 511th Squadron. Flak hit side of #4 nacelle, damaging oil tank, shell, skin damage only. (Minor).
   
   

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MAJOR DAMAGE		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK
   8		3		5		8

Aircraft No. 124 Squadron - Low  Pilot - Lt. Carle
Time of Abortive -   Location when Aborted - Kings Cliffe
Reason For Abortive - Runaway prop on takeoff which could not be controlled. Did not join formation.
Disposition of Bombs: none
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 4,000'
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: ____
[Signed] Richard D. Carle


Aircraft No. 97701 Squadron - High  Pilot - 1st Lt. Woodrum
Time of Abortive - 1010  Location when Aborted - 5100-0818E
Reason For Abortive - #3 prop ran away - No boost on #3 - impossible to stay in formation.
Disposition of Bombs: Dropped in the channel safe.
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 25,600'
Enemy Opposition Encountered - Flak over Rhine and Sigfried Line in and out.
Remarks: Ship ground check OK.
[Signed] G.R. Woodrum

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

   a. 94th "A" Combat Group   Lead Squadron
   Sqdn 508th A/C: (Z–7965 PFF Deputy Lead)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: P–8432, M–7964, U–8591, V–7854, S–9914, O–7595, F–7674, N–7169, Z–7696, T–1384, (L–7676 Flying Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C:
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (L–8045 PFF Lead)

   
   

   b. 94th "A" Combat Group   High Squadron
   Sqdn 508th A/C: K–8130
   Sqdn 509th A/C: B–7701, PFF, Lead
   Sqdn 510th A/C: (B–6082 Flying Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: Q–8080, X–7571, G–8070, N–8518, A–8428, D–7524, H–8435, K–8585, Y–8171, P–2676

   
   

   c. 94th "A" Combat Group   Low Squadron
   Sqdn 508th A/C:
   Sqdn 509th A/C:
   Sqdn 510th A/C: D–7957, P–2955, R–8038, H–8280, N–7665, S–7512, C–2576, K–7252, T–8461, A–8465, F–7124, L–7515
   Sqdn 511th A/C:

2. Target: GN-5808
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T NAX R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T LNP R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T THY R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T JTQ R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0640; Take-Off – 0655; E.T.D. Field – 0655
   b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   0837	15,000 Ft	Clacton

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   0900	15,000 Ft	51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1304	10,000 Ft	51°13'N-02°55'E [Ostend, Belgium]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1342	5,000 Ft	Clacton

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1413 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "H"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Squadron
    508 Squadron: All A/C 10 x 500# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/40 [Fuses]
    509 Squadron:
    510 Squadron:
    511 Squadron:
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" High Squadron
    508 Squadron: All A/C 10 x 500# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/40 [Fuses]
    509 Squadron:
    510 Squadron:
    511 Squadron:
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Low Squadron
    508 Squadron: All A/C 10 x M-17 IB's [Incendiary Bomb] Fusing 34.2
    509 Squadron:
    510 Squadron:
    511 Squadron:
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2600 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Squadron: Name: R.W. Burns Rank: Lt. Col. A/C: L-8045  Sqdn. 511th
    b. High Squadron: Name: C.R. Woodrum Rank: 1st. Lt. A/C: B-7701 Sqdn. 509th
    c. Low Squadron: Name: M.A. Hillebrand Rank: 1st. Lt. A/C: D-7954 Sqdn. 510th
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None

Report Compiled By John Maksimik, S/Sgt.