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DECLASSIFIED -- Authority: NND 745005 -- Date 0420/06 |
HEADQUARTERS 486TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) APO 559 7 October 1944
SUBJECT: Report of Operations Officer, mission of 6 October 1944, Berlin, Germany.
TO: Commanding Officer, 486TH Bombardment Group (H)
486TH "A" GROUP
1. General Narrative: The 486TH Group scheduled ten (10) a/c to fly the lead group of the 92ND "B" Wing for the day’s operation. In addition, two (2) PFF a/c were flying lead and deputy lead. Take-off was at 0720-0738 hours with climg to assembly altitude of 8,000 ft. over the field (Buncher #22) following immediately. Group assembly was according to plan and was executed very well in a minimum of time, being complete at 0804 hours. The high group completed their own assembly by 0820 hours, whereupon the partially formed wing (the 96TH furnished the low group) climbed on up to wing and division assembly altitude of 10,000 ft. The wing made good the departuer time of 0850 hours at Buncher #22 and then proceeded on course to the English coast, arriving at Great Yarmouth, CP #1, one (1) minute early, at 0915 hours.
The climb to bombing altittude started at 0920 ½ hours as the formation trned to a more northerly heading after flying out over the water some fifteen (15) minutes. The flight on across the North Sea was according to plan, except that some essing was necessary to allow our wing to hold proper interval and proceeding wings, who seemed to be slow, sandwich into the task force formation in proper position. Thereafter, everything was according to plan again. The enemy coast, CP #2, was crossed at the proper entry point at 1105 hours, fifteen (15) minutes early, with altitude of 22,800 ft. having been reached. Visibility had been good across the North Sea with 2-3/10 cumulus clouds down on deck. The enemy coastline was crossed visually for the first time in days. Meagre, fairly accurate flak was thrown up from the defenses of Wesermunde, and evasive action was taken just upon crossing into enemy territory.
The wing continued on course inland and reached bombing altitude of 26,000 ft. at 1136 hours. The trn to CP #3 (the pre-IP) had already been made, and the formation was still on course. Cloud coverage was 2-4/10 and visibility was good on route in. The turn at the pre-IP was made a little short at 1150 hours and briefed course paralleled down to the PI where it was necessary to "s" out to the right further to avoid other groups coming in over the IP at that time and delaying their turn a little too long. Slight interval was taken and the IP passed over at 1207 hours after essing back up to the left. A visual run had been decided upon, and bombs were released visually in the face of moderate, fairly accurate flak at 1216 hours by the lead group.
After the bombing, briefed 1000 ft. altitude was lost while taking evasive action through the flak infested areas and the rally point reached at 1223 hours. Rally was, as described by the air leader, excellent. Route out was picked up immediately and let down to minimum altitude begun a few minutes after passing the RP at 1226 ½ hours. The formation was forced to level off almost immediately, however, and "s" behind two preceeding wings that were, to quote the lead navigator’s expression, "having a traffic problem". They were doing considerable essing, and our essing was necessary to avoid prop wash. Following the briefed course on out, the corridor at the enemy coast was made good and the enemy coast was departed at 1218 [sic] hours, altitude — 22,000 ft.
Let down to minimum altitude was begun again upon leaving enemy territory, and course back across the North Sea was picked up. The turning point ust south of Heligoland was overshot slightly, but other than this, briefed course was flown on back to England. The formation leveled off at 8,000 feet. in order to stay agove the tops of the clouds that were then bujilding up along route. The English coast was crossed on course at Great Yarmouth at 1445 hours, whereupon, the groups flew directly to home base and landed, "A" group at 1509-1529 hours.
Fighter support on today’s mission was excellent. They met the formation at the enemy coast and escorted them throughout. No a/c aborted, and flak remained the outstanding enemy opposition.
Our own air leader reported this mission as being executed in a very excellent manner. The formations were good, the navigation was excellent, and from all reports, the bombing was "on the ball".
2. Aircraft not Attacking: The 486TH "A" Group scheduled ten (10) a/c pluse two (2) PFF a/c to lead the wing. There were no abortions, and all a/c went over the target attacking. In addition, a/c #937 of "B" Group joined the "A" Group formation before target and bombed with them.
3. Lost Aircraft: None.
486TH "B" GROUP
1. General Narrative: The thirteen (13) scheduled a/c of "B" Group took off at 0727 – 0758 hours after the lead had taken off early at 0721 hours to climb to assembly altitude ahead of the reast of the group and station himself on the wing lead a/c. Assembly was complete for this, the low group, over Buncher #22 at 0830 hours, whereupon they pulled into wing formation and accompanied "A" group throughout the remainder of the mission. For a general narrative of the mission as flown, refer to above report of the 486TH "A" Group.
On the target run, "B" group bombed visually at 1216 ½ hours, just behind "A" group’s release. There was very little interval as the groups went over the target almost in wing formation, but bombing individually. After rally, "B" group returned to base with the lead and landed at 1513 – 1535 hours.
2. Aircraft not Attacking: There were thirteen (13) a/c dispatched with "B" group. There were no abortions, yet only twelve (12) a/c attacked with "B" group. A/c #937 joined the lead group before target and bombed with them.
3. Lost Aircraft: None.
Richard B. Uhle Richard B. Uhle Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer
HEADQUARTERS 486TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) APO #559
6 October 1944
SUBJECT: Lead Navigator’s narrative Report, Mission of 6 October 1944, Target: Assembly Plant, Berlin, Germany.
TO: Commanding Officer, 486TH Bomb Group (H), AAF.
486A GROUP
1. Contact take-off was made at 0720 hours, with climb to assembly altitude of 8,000 feet being made over the field and arriving at that altitude at 0738 hours. Group was formed at 0804 hours. We climbed to 10,000 feet, then proceeded to Buncher #22 and arrived three miles north at 0850 hours, on time. Buncher #10 was made at 0859 hours, Great Yarmouth, CP #1, was reached on course, one minute early, at 0915 hours at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
2. Winds were obtained by Mickey and Gee Fix and we began our climb at 0929 ½ hours. Weather across the North Sea was 2/10 to 3/10 cumulus clouds below, as metro had briefed. Landfall was made on the enemy coast, on course by pathfinder and visual procedure at 1005 hours. Meagre flak accurately placed was fired at the formation from Wesermunde flak area and evasive action was taken. Clouds over the continent were 2/10 to 4/10, and accurate mickey fixes were obtained on course. We leveled off at 26,000 feet at 1136 hours. Selected pre IP (CP #3) was made at 1150 hours, twelve minutes early.
3. We proceeded on course to the IP which was observed and our position known, but we were forced to "S" to avoid other groups turning over this point. Our turn was made four miles south and we "S"d back to the IP. Visual run was decided upon. Heavy flak began hitting acccurately around us as we neared the target. Bombs were away at 1216 hours on a true heading of 89° at 26,000 feet. Bombardier visually observed hits directly on target. Mickey operator followed through on the bomb run and was synchronized until release.
4. Rally point was made good at 1223 hours at 25,000 feet, evasive action being taken through flak infested area. We proceeded on course at 1226 ½ hours and began letting down to 23,000 feet. Two wings ahead of us were having a traffic problem and did considerable "S"in, forcing us to "S" to avoid their prop wash. Mickey took us through the corridor at enemy coast, and point was made good at 1318 hours (CP #4) at 22,000 feet.
5. We bagan our let down over the North Sea at 1405 hours and levelled off at 8,000 feet above cloud tops. Gee and Mickey sets showed us on course. Landfall on English Coast was made at 1448 hours, on course. We were over the base at 1506 hours and landed at 1510 hours.
6. Track chart, flight plan and log are attached hereto.
MARVIN G. McQUATE 1st Lieut., Air Corps. Lead Navigator
486B GROUP
1. We took off at 0722 hours and climbed to 8,500 feet for group assembly, this altitude was reached at 0745 hours. We fell in on the wing leader and circled Buncher #22 to assemble our formation. The last ship in our formation fell in at 0830 hours.
2. We were over the IP at 1207 hours. Bombed the primary target visually in group formation. Bombs were away at 1216 ½ hours at 26,500 feet on a mag heading of 93°. Flak was moderate.
3. We followed the briefed route out an dland3d at 1523 hours.
ROBERT B. O’BOYLE, 1st Lieut., Air Corps, Lead navigator
HEADQUARTERS 486TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
6 October 1944
SUBJECT: Bombadier’s Narrative Report, Berlin/Tegel, Germany.
TO: Commanding Officer, 486TH Bombardment Group (H).
"A" GROUP
1. Bombing Approach and Run: We overran the IP a little in order to avoid another formation, but we got back on course again and came in very near the briefed course. Visibility was very good and I had a long bomb run. I had very good synchronization on the target. Bombs were away at 1216 hours on a magnetic heading of 93°. There was moderate flak encountered over the target but no enemy fighters.
2. Disposition of Bombs: Ten (10) aircraft of this group were loaded with a total of 50 x 1000 lb. G. P. M-44 bombs, fused 1/10 nose and 1/100 tail. Eleven (11) aircraft released a total of 55 x 1000 lb. bombs on the primary target. A/C #937 of "B" Group bombed with this group.
3. Types of Release: Salvo method of release used.
4. Tabular Summarys: [sic]
AIRCRAFT BOMBS Over Bomb Fusing Target ing No. Size Type Nose Tail Main Bombfall (Berlin/Tegel Germany) * 11 * 11 55 1000 lb. M-44 1/10 1/100
Other Bomb Expenditures None
Bombs returned to Base: None
Total (Loaded on A/C taking off) 50 1000 lb. M-44 1/10 1/100 (*) A/C #937 of "B" Group bombed with this formation.
NOTE: This report does not include the bombs loaded and released by the PFF aircraft.
Ned A. Reading Ned A. Reading. 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier, "A" Group
COMBAT BOMBING FLIGHT RECORD
BOMBARDIER 1ST Lt. Ned A. Reading DATE 6 Oct 1944 PILOT Capt. G. A. Reed TAKE-OFF. 0740 NAVIGATOR 1ST Lt. M. McQuate LANDED 1530 ORGANIZATION 834TH 486TH AIRCRAFT B17 002 Squadron Group Type No. OBJECTIVE Berlin/Tengel, Germany [sic] AIMING POINT (MPI) Building east side of factory area. INITIAL POINT 52 40N 12 38E METHOD OF ATTACK X Individual Flight Squadron Group Wing NUMBER OF ATTACKING A/C IN GROUP 12 COMPOSITE GROUP NUMBER A/C DROPPING BOMBS BY OWN SIGHTING OPERATION: DEFLECTION AND RANGE SIGHTING, GROUP COMPOSITE GROUP RANGE SIGHTING ONLY. GROUP COMPOSITE GROUP BOMBS, TYPES AND SIZE 1000 lb. G.P. M-44 NUMBER OF BOMBS LOADED 50 RELEASED 55 (5 from "B" Gp. A/C) FUZING, NOSE 1/10 TAIL 1/100 SYNCHRONIZATION On Fast Slow INFORMATION AT RELEASE POINT Altitude of target 115’ Mag. Head, Order Actual 93° True Altitude above target 26,430’ True Heading Ind. Altitude 26,000’ Drift, Est. 9 R Actual 3 R Pressure altitude of target -273 True Track Altimeter setting 29.92 Actual Range C.I.A.S. 150 MPH B.S. Type Norden M-7 T.A.S. 226 MPH Time of Release 1216 G.S., Est. 230 MPH Actual Length of Bombing Run 10 min. Wind Direction, Metro Actual Intervalometer setting salvo Wind Velocity, Metro 23 MPH Actual C-1 Pilot X D.S. Trail 45 ATF 42.51 A-5 Pilot TAN. D.A. Est. .49 Actual .46 Manual Pilot
HEADQUARTERS 486TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) 6 October 1944
SUBJECT: Bombardier’s Narrative Report, Berlin/Tegel, Germany.
TO: Commanding Officer, 486TH Bombardment Group (H)
"B" GROUP
1. Bombing Approach and Run: We overran the IP by about five (5) miles due to the wing ahead of us waiting so long to make their turn onto the target. After we came out of the turn I took a drift and run and got my drift and tangent of dropping angle, then I started to pick up the target. The check points were pretty good on the way in and the visibility was fair. I could pick up the target without any extended vision. We were hit with flak but it did no apparent damage as far as the run was concerned, except dumpy my gyro. I erected that and proceeded to make a normal run. There were no fighters encountered on the bomb run but the flak was pretty accurate and was coming up quite a bit. Bombs away at 1210 ½ hours.
2. Disposition of Bombs: Thirteen (13) aircraft of this grou pwere loaded with a total of 65 x 1000 lb. G.P. M-44 bombs, fused for 1/10 nose and 1/100 tail. Twelve (12) aircraft released a total of 60 x 1000 lb. bombs on the briefed target. A/c #937 of this group released its bombs with "A" Group.
3. Type of Release: Salvo method of release used.
4. Tabular Summary: AIRCRAFT BOMBS Over Bomb Fusing Target ing No. Size Type Nose Tail Main Bombfall (Berlin/Tegel Germany) * 12 * 12 60 1000 lb. M-44 1/10 1/100
Other Bomb Expenditures None
Bombs returned to Base: None
Total (Loaded on A/C taking off) 65 1000 lb. M-44 1/10 1/100 (*) A/C #937 of this group bombed with "A" Group.
Albert A. VanderHaeghen ALBERT A. VANDER HAEGHEN, 1ST Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier, "B" Group.
BOMBARDIER 1ST Lt. Albert A. Vander Haeghen DATE 6 Oct 1944 PILOT Capt. W. B. Munroe TAKE-OFF. 0723 NAVIGATOR 1ST Lt. R. H. O’Boyle LANDED 1533 ORGANIZATION 835TH 486TH AIRCRAFT B17 800 Squadron Group Type No. OBJECTIVE Berlin/Tengel, Germany [sic] AIMING POINT (MPI) Large building east side of factory area. INITIAL POINT 52 40N 12 38E METHOD OF ATTACK X Individual Flight Squadron Group Wing NUMBER OF ATTACKING A/C IN GROUP 13 COMPOSITE GROUP NUMBER A/C DROPPING BOMBS BY OWN SIGHTING OPERATION: DEFLECTION AND RANGE SIGHTING, GROUP COMPOSITE GROUP RANGE SIGHTING ONLY. GROUP COMPOSITE GROUP BOMBS, TYPES AND SIZE 1000 lb. G.P. M-44 NUMBER OF BOMBS LOADED 65 RELEASED 60 (5 with "A" Gp.) FUZING, NOSE 1/10 TAIL 1/100 SYNCHRONIZATION On Fast Slow INFORMATION AT RELEASE POINT Altitude of target 115’ Mag. Head, Order Actual 93° True Altitude above target 26,950’ True Heading Ind. Altitude 26,500’ Drift, Est. 9° R Actual 4° R Pressure altitude of target -273 True Track Altimeter setting 29.92 Actual Range C.I.A.S. 150 MPH B.S. Type Norden M-7 T.A.S. 231 MPH Time of Release 1216 ½ G.S., Est. 230 MPH Actual Length of Bombing Run 10 min. Wind Direction, Metro 110 Actual Intervalometer setting salvo Wind Velocity, Metro 10 Actual C-1 Pilot X D.S. Trail 46 ATF 42.97 A-5 Pilot TAN. D.A. Est. .49 Actual .46 Manual Pilot
HEADQUARTERS 486TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) APO 559 6 October 1944
SUBJECT: Result of Bombing of Rheinmetall A. G. at Berlin, Germany on 6 October 1944
TO: Commanding Officer, 486TH Bombardment Group (H), APO 559.
486TH A and B Groups dropping one half minute apart placed a slight composite pattern on the target measuring approximately 2000’ to 3000’. The center of the pattern is approximately 500’ right of the assigned M.P.I. The greatest density of bursts is in a 500’ circle around the assigned M.P.I. It is highly probable that the following direct hits were obtained:
Largest machine shop - - - - - - - - - - - 4 hits Adjacent warehouse - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 hit Assembly shop - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 hits The Chemical office and shop - - - - - - - 1 hit Warehouse - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 hit Machine shop - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 hit
Various near misses must have caused considerable damage dut to the close spacing of the buildings, some of which are no more than 20’ apart.
This pattern is scored as follows:
CE 500' right 500' 24% 1000' 57% 2000' 95%
For the Intelligence Officer
RALPH D. SHEARER Capt., Air Corps P. I. Officer
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