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EXECUTION:
ELAPSED TIME OF ASSEMBLY: One (1) hour and one (1) minute from time of take-off lead a/c
reached assembly altitude (1,000') at 0712 and group as formed at
0800 hours.
ASSEMBLY (GP. WG & DIV):
Excellent group assembly was made at 6,000', planes being helped greatly in forming by the use of the trailing
flare used by the group lead. BUN #16, first point of wing assembly was made good one-half (½) minute early, and loose wing assembly was accomplished.
BUN #11 was passed over one (1) minutes late, and at CP #1 (reached one and a half (1½) minutes late), the group pulled into good position on the 4th "C" Group.
ARRIVED 1ST PT WG ASS'Y LINE: 0829½ - ½ minute early.
POSITION IN TASK FORCE FORM: 4th "D" Group - 8th group in Div formation.
DEPARTED CP "1": 0849½ - one and one-half (½) minutes late.
CLIMB TO ALTITUDE (ROUTE IN):
The course on the entire route in was about three (3) to five (5) miles right of course,
following in the bomber stream. CP #2 was reached one-half (½) minutes late, one mile north of course at approximately 6,000'. Climb to altitude was started at
0924 hours, one minute earlier than briefed, and although climb was S.O.P., considerable essing was done because of congestion of preceding groups. CP #3 was reached
at 1052½, two and one half (2½) minutes late, four (4) miles right of course. After this point, contrails began to roll in and the group leveled off at 20,000'.
After passing over the battle lines, let down to 12,000' was begun, and at 1130 hours, group again leveled off. Weather conditions became worse, causing further descent
to be made, finally stopping at 10,000', but the bomber stream was lost in the clouds. The wing men squadrons did a remarkable job of holding position though flying in
clouds, and because of such adverse weather conditions, it was decided by the group leader that rather than chance proceeding to the primary and losing the squadrons, a last
resort target would be advisable. Accordingly, Nordlingen was picked up but couldn't be bombed because of the poor visibility for a visual run.
TARGET MANEUVER:
Nordlingen was passed over and used as an IP for the last resort target (F/O specified any M/Y, etc. in Germany
as a LRT) at Ansbach. Bombing was finally done from 8,060' at 1213 hours, in group formation with squadrons rather spread out and killing rate. Bombing was done
by group, rather than squadron formation, as the Air Leader felt that rally could not be accomplished in the soupy weather prevailing had squadrons taken normal bombing interval.
It was, of course, impossible to use PFF equipment for bombing, as it is not effective at such low altitudes.
TARGET ATTACKED: (LRT) M/Y - Ansbach, Germany.
TYPE OF BOMBING: Visual-Gp formation. TIME OF RELEALSE: 1213
NBR A/C OVER TARGET: 37 OUT OF: 38
NBR A/C ATTACKING: 37 NBR SORTIES CREDITED GP: 37
TOTAL BOMBS LOADED ON A/C TAKING OFF: 380 X 500 lb. M-43.
DISPOSITION OF BOMBS:
Last Resort Target:
Ansbach, Germany
340 x 500 lb. M-43
4846N-1125E
10 x 500 lb. M-43
Burgoberbach, Germany 10 x 500
lb. M-43
Forcheim, Germany
10 x 500 lb. M-43
Total on All Targets 370 x 500
lb. M-43
Total Bombs Returned 10
x 500 lb. M-43
Total Bombs Loaded on A/C T.O. 380 x 500 lb. M-43
BOMB RESULTS:
"A" squadron dropped a very loose pattern measuring approximately 1300' X 3900'. The center of this pattern
fell on the choke point 200' left of the MPI and several direct hits on an adjacent factory building. Two or three bombs hit what appears to be a large military barracks
at the south end of the pattern. The remainder fell in light industrial and residential areas.
"B" squadron dropped a split pattern at the east end of the yard. At least three bombs fell in the yard.
This pattern is approximately 2500' right of the selected MPI. The hospital train in the yard was not hit.
"C" squadron dropped a scattered pattern in a residential area 2600' left and 600' short of the MPI.
The pattern is approximately, 1400' in diameter.
RALLY AND ROUTE BACK:
After the target, the group did a 180° turn to the left and made a one (1) minute ess to get the squadrons
together; but as weather had closed in so badly, the low squadron was lost in the clouds. At 1225 hours, the group started a climb following the briefed route out, leveling
off at 18,000'. The group now consisting of two (2) squadrons made CP #4 good, flying with two (2) squadrons of the 94th Group. Descent to minimum altitude was
started at this point. The further withdrawal was about five (5) miles to the right, passing over the Belgian coast at 9,100'. The low squadron, although never
actually making contact with the rest of the group, followed approximately the same route out and slightly in trail.
RETURN TO BASE: 1512-1644.
PFF OPERATIONS:
Three (3) PFF a/c were scheduled to for today's mission. A/C #002 (M/O-HUMPHRIES, Nav-GILKEY, Bomb) led
"A" sq. A/C #663 (M/O-ROE) led "B" sq., and a/c #074 (M/O-LACY) led "C" sq.
(M/O-HUMPHRIES-GILEY) "Set worked good all day. H2X was used navigationally to within 6 miles of target
when bombardier took over for a visiual run."
(M/O-ROE) "Poor set. Very low signal strength. Bombed visually in grop formation."
(M/O-LACY) "Performance of set was fair. Poor focus and definition. No contribution to bombing."
WEATHER:
Visibility 1400 yards, becoming 800-1000 yards in fog at take-off. 4-5/10 middle clouds gradually diminished
at the channel, clearing over France. Rhine river was obscured by fog. Visibility was 10-15 miles.
Thin multilayered clouds in target area with base of 800' and tops 20,000' visibility unrestricted.
Route out was the same with scattered clouds over France. 8-10/10 low clouds at 25-3000' over England.
Base, upon return, was 9-10/10 low clouds at 2500-3000' with visibility 3,000 yards.
Free air temperature at bombing altitude (9,100') was -2°C.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Communications in general was good. No major difficulties encountered, and VHF discipline was fair.
E/A AND FIGHTER SUPPORT:
No flak or enemy a/c on today's mission.
Fighter support was good.
FORMATION:
Squadrons flew good formation on the route in, but as weather conditions made instrument flying necessary,
a/c were inclined to spread out before and after the target area. Even so, after breaking out, most planes rapidly reformed on the lead a/c and did an admirable job.
Wing formation was very good, proper interval being maintained.
ABORTIONS (INCLUDING A/C OVER TARGET AND NOT ATTACKING):
A/C NBR SQ
REMARKS PILOT
SORTIE
477 832
Pilot believed oxygen system BIDELL
NO
defective. Found OK on return,
on ground and altitude check.
Pilot error - 36 missions.
MALFUNCTIONS: None
EVALUATION OF LEAD CREWS (BY COMMAND PILOTS):
PILOT
HINZE (N), (PPN), (B), (R/O), (M/O) rated EX. (C/O) rated VS. (P) rates
S.
REMARKS: (N) very good work, (P) needs more instruments.
Not a smooth
flyer.
RADDATZ (PPN), (M/O), rated SUP. (P), (N), (B), (C/O), (R/O) rated EX.
REMARKS: (M/O) confident and right as usual, (B)
picked up target early.
The crew did an excellent job under the worst possible
weather.
OFFICER TAIL GUNNER REPORTS:
(Pilots receiving lower than average grades and why).
| PILOT |
SQ |
GRADE |
REMARKS |
| None |
|
|
|
| (Outstanding performances) |
| FRESE |
832 |
EX |
Very smooth element |
| SANTA ANNA |
832 |
EX |
Good lead. |
| CASEY |
832 |
EX |
Very good lead. |
| HUNTER |
834 |
EX |
Couldn't be better |
| BURNS |
834 |
EX |
Very smooth element. |
| WEST |
834 |
EX |
Very smooth element. |
| SCHOEPNER |
835 |
EX |
Good steady position |
| GENZ |
835 |
EX |
Steady position |
SUGGESTIONS AND REMARKS BY OTG'S:
Lead squadron did a very fine job despite adverse weather. Top turret on lead a/c (002-RADDATZ)
never moved.
Good air leader coordination during actual instrument descent over Germany.
LOSSES:
| PILOT |
SQ |
REMARKS |
| RINGLER |
833 |
Ten (10) men cleared the a/c. Nine (9) chutes were seen. Difficulty was first noticed at 4857N-1006E. A/C was last seen disappearing
in the haze at 4850N-1000E
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