A-2 Reporting

       Section 3^rd B. Div.

        And 92^nd C. Wing                                      XXX

                 486^th Group                                                                                            XXX

              24    2230  S2

 

INTELLIGENCE REPORT, 486TH A, B, AND C GROUPS, DRESDEN MISSION, 24 AUGUST 1944

 

A.     Enemy Air Opposition

None.

 

B.     Observations of Crews

1.      At 1100 hours, 16 large ships were observed, stationary at 5342N-0803E, from 18,000 ft.

2.      At 1100 hours, 10 small ships were laying a smoke screen in the mouth of the Elbe River, and about 10 barges or small freighters were lying in the river.  (21,000 feet)

3.      At 1106 hours, approximately 30 cargo vessels were seen at 5455N-0804E.

4.      At 1108 hours, a convoy of 14 M/V’s was stationary at 5531N-0830E. (18,000 feet)

5.      At 1108 hours, a convoy of 30 to 40 trucks was heading S.E. out of Hamburg on an autobahn.

6.      At 1109 hours, a convoy of 10 or more ships with a smoke screen was observed at 5353N-0900E, heading toward land.

7.      At 1132 hours, an A/F with 24 large aircraft was observed in a wooded area at 5308N-1004E from 20,000 ft.

8.      At 1212 hours, a brown B-17 with yellow cowlings, yellow and black checkerboard nacelles, and yellow fin and rudder was observed at approximately 5210N-1312E, flying at same level as the formation, almost over Berlin. [Note:  No doubt a restored B-17 captured by the Luftwaffe.  The Brown and Yellow paint scheme was typical of those for captured allied aircraft]

9.      At 1215 hours, 25 A/C were observed on an A/F at 5216N-1154E, near Burg, Germany, from 21,000 ft.

10.  Very effective smoke screens were observed at Bremen and Magdeburg, other smoke screens were observed at Berlin, Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven, and other large cities.

C.     Crew Reports of Friendly A/C in Distress

1.      At 1308 hours, 5047N-1320E, 4 chutes were observed going down (23,000 feet).

2.      At 1155 hours, 5502N-1145E, an unidentified four engine A/C was seen going down smoking.

3.      At 0742 horus, 5649N-0048E, and unidentified fighter was seen to crash and burn.

D.     Crew Comments and Suggestions

None.

 

 

—OVERING—

A-2 Reporting

Section 3^rd Div.

And 92nd CW

486 A, B, C Gp.

24     1915    S-2

 

Operational narrative report for 486^th A, B and C groups Dresden mission 24 August 1944

 

1.      None.

2.      A and C groups very good.  SAV’s showing tight pattern directly across the target area. 

 

B group poor.  SAV’s show the pattern 4000 ft northeast of the target.

 

3.      None.

4.      Meager to moderate inaccurate flak was encountered the target area.

5.      Weather did not affect the mission.

6.      At 1132 hours at 5308 N 1004E an A/F with 24 large A/C was observed in a wooded area. (20,000 ft.)

 

At 1100 hours at 5342N 0803E 16 large ships and 10 small ships were seen.  All were stationary. (18,000 feet)

 

At 1108 hours at 5331N 0830E, a stationery convoy of 14 M/V’s was seen. (18,000 ft)

 

At 1108 hours at Hamburg a convoy of 30 to 40 trucks was heading southeast of the city on an autobahn.

 

At 1100 hours at the mouth of the Elbe River about 10 small ships were laying a smokescreen and about 10 barges were small freighters are lying in the river.  (21,000 ft)

 

At 1155 hours at 5215N 1155E 16 T/E aircraft are observed on an A/F.  (23,000 ft)

 

At 1215 hours at 5216N 1154E , 25 U/I aircraft were seen on an A/F at Burg, Germany.  (25,000 feet)

 

At 1339 hours at Nordhausen very large fires were observed in the Marshalling yard

 

7.      Fighter support was very good

 

 

—OVERING—

 

Headquarters

486^th bombardment group (H)

A PO 559

 

25 August 1944

Subject:            report of operations officer mission of 24 August 1944 oil plant near Dresden Germany

 

To:       commanding officer for 86^th bombardment group (H)

 

486A group

 

1.       General Narrative:  The 486^th group scheduled twelve (12) A/C to fly as lead (486A) group of the 92A wing for the day’s a mission.  Take off was at 0715 — 0724 hours, an instrument ascent to assembly altitude of 9000 feet (changed from 5000 feet because of cloud layers at this altitude) over Buncher #22 followed.  Assembly was begun at 0748 hours and at 0825 hours (group assembly already complete), “A” wing (A, B, & C groups) had formed and climb to division assembly altitude of 8000 feet was begun.  At 0835 hours, while still circling Buncher #22, that altitude was reached and the wing formation turned away to maneuver out and come back over Buncher #22 on course for Splasher #4 at 0910 hours.  When coming back over Buncher #22, on course, interference from another group of B-17’s forced our wing to “S” to the right, come back in over Buncher #22, and then turn to the right to get on course for Splasher #6.  Some interference with clouds along the level of the low group was experienced at this time, too.  By cutting Buncher #22 short, the time (0918) hours at Splasher #6 was made good, and the wing (the 487^th (B Wing) fell in behind our wing when Buncher #22 was departed) continued on to Great Yarmouth reaching that point at 0929 hours, two (2) minutes late.  Altitude of 8,000 ft. had been maintained up to this time, but after departing CP #1 (Great Yarmouth), the climb to bombing altitude began.

 

After leaving the English coast, and beginning to climb on course out, cloud layers along the route interfered and forced the wing to level out then start to climb again as the clouds were passed.  Other than this, the flight across the North Sea to the enemy coast was flown according to plan.  Fighter escort met the formation just before crossing the coastline and supplied very good coverage throughout the remainder of the flight while in enemy territory.  The enemy coast was crossed at 1107 ½ hours, one-half (½) minute early, on course to the turning point at 5218N, 1210E.  Reaching altitude of 25,000 ft. was to have been reached at that point, but only 23,000 ft had been attained when reaching there at 1201 hours, eleven (11) minutes early because of a sudden change in metro winds.  Altitude was reached, however at 1226 ½ hours as the turn to the pre-IP was made at 5201N, 1412E.

 

The pre-IP (5141N, 1425E) was reached at 1234 hours, and lead group of “A” wing followed the fan-out procedure by uncovering to the left.  They slightly overshot the turn onto the IP to the bomb run, mainly because of the lack of check points, causing the following groups to make a larger turn to get over the IP in proper order and spaced properly.  The IP was passed by “A” group at 1247 hours, and then followed a very successful twelve (12) minute bomb run.  Flak was only moderate and inaccurate, and there were no enemy A/C to interfere.  Bombs were away at 1259 hours, six (6) minutes early.

 

After the bombing, the turn left off the target was made and 1000 ft. altitude lost before reaching the rally point at 1306 hours.  Rally was good with all groups getting back into formation on [sic] beyond the RP as they cut off the leader in the turn.  After rally, briefed route was followed back to the enemy coast, which was reached at 1453 hours.  No deviations were made from the flight plan, and the route out was flown without incident.  At 5235N, 0800E, descent to 12,000 ft. was begun and the enemy coast crossed at altitude of 16,000 ft.

 

The flight across the channel was flown according to plan, and the English coast was crossed at Great Yarmouth at 1535 hours at altitude of 4,000 ft.  The formation flew directly to home base and landed at 1549-1619 hours.

 

The formation flown by “A” group was very good during today’s mission, as was that of 92A Wings.  On the bomb run, “A” group formation was reported to have been very good.  The navigation displayed on today’s mission was probably the most accurate yet displayed.  Track chart and navigator log will verify this fact.

 

2.       Aircraft Not Attacking:   Twelve (12) A/C were dispatched with 486A Group.  There were no abortions, and all aircraft went over the target as shown in attached diagram “B”, formation over target.  Eleven (11) A/C attacked the assigned target.  A/C #937 jettisoned his bombs at the RP after the electrical salvo failed.  Investigation showed the switches were not in the “on” position.

 

3.       Lost Aircraft:      None.

 

 

486B Group

 

1.       General Narrative:          Thirteen (13) scheduled A/C in “B” Group took-off at 0725-0754 hours, assembled at assigned altitude, and had completed wing assembly at 8,000 feet with the lead (A) group at 0826 hours.  From this point on to the pre-IP and after the target maneuver, the group flew high group of 92A wing.  Therefore, for a general narrative of this mission as flown, refer to the above report of the 486A group.

 

At the pre-IP, “B” group followed the SOP fan out procedure and spaced themselves properly behind “A” group.  They were forced somewhat south of the IP in order to make their turn behind “A” Group which had itself overshot the IP.  Bombs were away for “B” group at 1301 hours, two (2) minutes behind “A” group.  At really, the group reformed to proper wing formation and flew in the high group position back to home base and landed at 1558-1627  Hours.

 

The formation flown by “B” group was good.  On the bomb run the high flight was too far out, but, otherwise, was good.  They held a constant position on the lead group during the entire mission.

 

2.       Aircraft not Attacking:    There were thirteen (13) A/C dispatched with the 486B group.  A/C #959 aborted early because of a sick crew member.  The remaining twelve (12) A/C continued over the target, with eleven (11) attacking.  A/C #010 had an electrical release equipment malfunction and jettisoned this bombs near the RP.

 

3.       Lost Aircraft:      None.

 

486C Group

 

1.       General Narrative:          Thirteen (13) scheduled A/C of 486C group were airborne at 0735-0744 hours and had assembled at 8,000 ft. over Buncher #22 at 0821 hours in a minimum of time.  The group tacked onto wing formation at 0826 hours as low group and held that position during the entire mission.  That is, with the exception of the target maneuver which was followed according to SOP.  They fanned out at the pre-IP and were forced to overshoot the IP behind “A” and “B” groups.  Bombs were away for “C” group at 1302 hours, one (1) minute behind “B” group.

 

After the bombing, the group reassembled with the lead group and flew back to home base in proper wing formation, landing at 1539-1606 hours.  For a general narrative of the mission (route in and out), as flown, refer to the above report of 486A group.

 

The formation flown by “C” group was fair-good.  During the bomb run, the formation was too loose.  At the beginning, the low group was troubled by cloud formations which did disrupt the formation some.

 

2.       Aircraft not Attacking:  There were thirteen (13) A/C dispatched with the 486C group.  A/C #646 aborted before target with the remaing twelve (12) A/C going over the target as shown in attached diagram “B”.  All attacked.

 

3.       Lost Aircraft:      None.

 

 

 

 

RICHARD B. UHLE

Major, Air Corps

Operations Officer