Mission Analysis Report, 14 February 45

LT SNEDEKER

E-BL-3

HEADQUARTERS
486TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Officer

MISSION ANALYSIS REPORT

Planning

DATE: 14 February 1945

GP MSSN NBR: 143

TARGET: (P) Chemnitz, Germany

ALERTED AT: 1810

BOMB LOAD REC'D AT: 2340

WG AWO REC'D AT: 2110

WG F/O REC'D AT: 0345

DIV F/O REC'D AT: 0140

ZERO HOUR: 100

FORCE REQUIRED: One (1) group of three (3) squadrons.

FORCE FURNISHED BY SQUADRON (PLANNED AND ACTUAL):

	832nd	833rd	834th	835th	Total
Crews	11 (12)	11 (12)	5 (5)	11 (12)	38 (41)
A/C	11 (12)	6 (6)	10 (11)	11 (12)	38 (41)

AIR LEADER: Major Uhle (Wing lead).

PARTICIPATING STAFF:
(1) Capt Dimel (Ld-Hi Sq)
(2) Lt Heckersen (Ld-Lo Sq)
(3) Capt Baguley (Sq Nav)
(4) Capt Cusack (Sq Nav)
(5) Lt Aspholm (Sq Bomb)

LEAD CREWS:
(1) Warmack (Gp-Ld)
(2) Cross (Dep Ld-lo Sq)
(3) Howard (Gp Dep Ld, Ld-Hi Sq)
(4) Patteson (Dep Ld-Hi Sq)
(5) Raddatz (Ld-Lo Sq)
(6) Scheopner (Dep Ld-Lo Sq)

BRIEFING OFFICER: Capt Whitney

BRIEFING TIME: 0400

BOMB BRIEFING: Lt Douglas

NAV BRIEFING: Capt Skipp

S-2 BRIEFING: Capt Crabill

BOMBING ALTITUDE: 23,000'

POSITION IN TASK FORCE FORM: 4th "C" Group (4th Group in div. formation)

ESTIMATED TIME OF TAKE-OFF: 0755

RETURN: 1725

ASSEMBLY ALTITUDE: GP: 9,000' WG: 9,000' DIV: 9,500'

REMARKS:

Although we were to fly the 4th "C" Group, we were lead group of the 4th Wing on today's mission, as a result of the 4th "A" & "B" Groups comprising task force "B" - an altogether different mission. We were to fly in "A" task force.

II.

EXECUTION:

TAKE-OFF: 0855 RUNWAY: 25 WIND: 250° @ 10 MPH
A/C TAKING OFF.: SQ "A" 12, SQ "B" 15, SQ "C": 14, TOTAL: 41
ASSEMBLY ALTITUDE: GP: 9,000', WG: 9,000', DIV 10,700'

ELAPSED TIME OF ASSEMBLY: Fifty eight (58) minutes from time of take-off. Lead a/c reached assembly altitude (9,000') at 0914, and was complete at 0948 hours.

ASSEMBLY (GP, WG & DIV):

The group Made a Very good assembly at 9,000', CAVU conditions prevailing. The high and low squadrons fell in without difficulty. BUN 12, first point of wing assembly line, was reached one and a half (1/2) minutes late. Several other groups were also late, causing bunching at this point, but after essing, proper position was established and the wing proceeded to CP 1. This point was departed one (1) min. late, and poor division assembly was made. There, was too great an interval between the 13th and 4C Wings; which distance could not be made up. 4th "C" (486th), was leading the Wing, since 4th "A" and "B" were part of Task Force "B."

ARRIVED 1ST PT WG ASS'Y LINE: 1016 1/2 - 1 1/2 min. late.

ARRIVED CP "A" DIV ASS'Y LINE: 1028 - 1 min. late.

POSITION IN TASK FORCE FORM: 4th "C" Group (4th group in div formation).
DEPARTED CP "1": 1028 - 1 min. late.
CLIMB TO ALTITUDE (ROUTE IN):
Climb to bombing altitude was started after passing BUN 12, the point of wing assembly. At CP 1 (reached one (1) min. late), the formation was at 10,700'. There was a slight bracketing of course across the channel, and CP 2 was passed several miles to the north and on time, at an altitude of 17,000'. A very good course was flown to CP 3, but it was departed five (5) minutes early at approximately 21,000'. Bombing altitude of 23,000' was reached at 5145N-0935E, seven (7) minutes early.

TARGET MANUEVER:
Upon approaching the IP, the 13th "C" Group ahead of the 4th "C" Group (486th) made a wide swing to the right of the briefed IP requiring our group to "S" to maintain proper interval. Squadrons had fanned out at the Pre-IP, and the IP was passed by (not over) with wings level. A very god run was made using PFF technique for all squadrons despite very poor weather, which was so bad that the preceeding groups and even squadrons could not see one another on the bomb run. Also, the air was so rough that all squadrons flew the majority of the run manually, AFCE not being practical.

TARGET ATTACKED: (P) PFF Chemnitz, Germany.

TYPE OF BOMBING: Sq formation.

TIME OF RELEASE: 1229-1229 1/2

NBR A/C OVER TARGET: 36 out of 41

NBR A/C ATTACKING: 36

NBS SORTIES CREDITED GP: 36

TOTAL BOMBS LOADED ON A/C TAKEING OFF: 246x500 lb, M-43, 164x500 lb M-17

DISPOSITION OF BOMBS:

Primary Target (PFF):

Chemnitz, Germany	216x500 lb, M-43	144x500 lb, M17
Total Bombs Jettisoned	24x500 lb, M-43	16x500 lb, M-17
Total Bombs Returned	6x500 lb, M-43	4x500 lb, M-17
Total Bombs Loaded on A/C T.O.	246x500 lb, M-43	164x500lb, M-17

BOMBING RESULTS: Unobserved.

RALLY AND ROUTE BACK:
The rally was good between the high and lead squadrons, no altitude being lost. The low squadron was unable to find the formation because of weather and joined a 1st Division Group, proceeding home in that manner. The withdrawal was substantially as briefed, but the course was bracketed in attempting to avoid prop wash occasioned by other groups letting down through our formation, as the bomber stream was very poorly formed. Let down to minimum altitude was started at 5025N-0620E at approximately 1458 hours, airspeed of 150 MPH to conserve gasoline. The enemy coast was departed at 1607 hours, altitude of 6,00' and the English coast reached at 1648 1/2 hours at an altitude of 1,500'.

RETURN TO BASE: 1655-1732

PFF OPERATION:
     Three (3) PFF a/c were scheduled for today's mission. A/C #073 (M/O-Foty) led "A" sq. A/C #002 (M/O-Anex) led "B" sq. A/C #025 (M/O-Humphries) led "C" sq.
     (M/O-Foty) Performance of set was fair. City of Plauen was used as an IP rather then the briefed IP, because of crowding by other groups. Target was identified at 40 miles and all final adjustments were made by H2X.
     (M/O-Anex) Performance of set was fair. AFCE did not lock in continuously. We were 5 or 6 miles south of course at IP because of traffic conditions at the turn. Ground was not visible and H2X was used exclusively in directing course from IP to bomb release.
     (M/O-Humphries) Performance of set was fair up to target. Came in clear after withdrawal. Overran IP 4 miles following lead squadron which was crowded off course by another group. H2X was used all the way over 10/10 clouds, including all final adjustments on bombsight. Target was picked up at 30 miles and course was killed without use of a scope.

WEATHER:
     Surface visibility was 5 miles at take-off. 1/10 middle clouds at 1-14,000', and high clouds at 25,000'. Route over channel was 4-6/10 in thin layers at 13-17,000' continuing on in over the continent. Target area was 10/10 multilayered clouds with thin layers of high clouds at 20-25,000'. Horizontal visibility was restricted to 50-100 yds between layers. Rout out was the same except fewer clouds above 10,000' over the continent.
     Base upon return was 5-6/10 high clouds at 25,000'. Surface visibility was 5 miles.
     Free air temperature at bombing altitude (23,000') was -39°C.

COMMUNICATIONS:
     Communications for the mission in general was excellent. Progress and strike reports were sent to Division with no difficulty. Contacts with the group HF/DF were not quite as satisfactory, but it was due to the deep penetration. All messages were received before the mission was completed.
     VHF discipline was good although channel monitors failed to maintain a close guard. Suggest disciplinary action be taken as a correction measure for monitors who fail to carry out their assignments properly.
     One pilot (Starrett) called group lead for trail and other information for his bombardier. Suggest pilots to be enlightened as to what does and what does not constitute information to be given over VHF.

E/A AND FIGHTER SUPPORT:
Meager, accurate tracking type flak on route in. At 5009N-0742E big black bursts were noted which after explosion, seemed to climb vertically 25 to 30 feet.
No enemy a/c sighted. Fighter support was good.

FORMATION:
The group formation was fair, the high squadron flying poor formation within the squadron. Wing formation was good, but Division was poor as there was too much interval between our wing and Fireball (13th) which couldn't be made up.

ABORTIONS (INCLUDING A/C OVER TARGET AND NOT ATTACKING):

A/C NBR	SQ	REMARKS	PILOT	SORTIE
835	832	Metal particles in sump.	Casey	No
902	832	Metal particles in sump.	Ellingford	No
867	832	Oil pressure and supercharger #2 engine.	Tulman	Yes
580	834	Ground checked OK. Further investigation being made.	Melahn	No
616	835	Engine shot out by another group while test firing guns.	Cross	No

MALFUNCTIONS:

958

834

Attacked target, jettisoned three (3) M-43's and two (2) M-17's due to faulty A-4 release.

Ewen

Yes

EVALUATION OF LEAD CREWS (BY COMMAND PILOT):

	PILOT
	HOWARD:	(P), (N), (R/O) rated superior. (B), (C/O), (M/O) rated excellent, (PPN) rated VS. REMARKS: (P) exceptional job under difficult circumstances. (N) always knew where we were and volunteered information. (C/O) volunteers information. (R/O) excellent cooperation knows job. (M/O) made very good run- kept sqdn on course. Entire crew did remarkable job.
	RADDATZ:	(P), (N), (PPN), (B) and (M/O) rated excellent. (C/O) and (R/O) rated VS. REMARKS: (P) is smooth leader. (M/O) doesn't give up when equipment dies out - keeps trying.

OFFICER TAIL GUNNER REPORTS:
(pilots receiving lower than average grades and why)

PILOT	SQ	GRADE	REMARKS
WILEY	833	F	Too far back.
MARTIN	833	F	Too erratic
ELLERSICK	835	F	Lagged consistantly. Did not fill forward.
SCHMITZ	835	F	In and out
SILLS	835	F	In and out
STEVENSON	835	F	In and out
(Outstanding performance)
Scheopner	835	EX	Very good position

SUGGESTIONS AND REMARKS BY OTG's:
Lead a/c made too many turns. (Tough - but necessary)
Wing men should fly much tighter formation.

LOSSES: None.

III.

CONCLUSIONS:

     Today's mission was well run, but weather conditions created much difficulty at all times. Dense persistent contrails and clouds were experienced on the route in. On the bomb run, visibility was lowered to such an extent that other groups, and our other squadrons could not be seen. Withdrawal was complicated by a poorly formed bomber stream, causing other groups to let down through our squadrons. This created much prop was, requiring bracketing of course out.
     VHF discipline was good in the group, but other groups abused the privilege of using VHF for a/c to tower transmissions. Channel "B" was used for inter-wing communications between Fireball and Clambake, cluttering up the channel.
     Indiscriminate test firing of guns by other groups in the wing again was responsible for considerable difficulty, almost causing our group to lose an a/c. The deputy lead of the lead squadron (a/c #616, pilot - Cross) had a number of bullets fired into his #1 engine by a plane of the 94th Group. This caused a fire and the complete loss of oil in the engine, as about three (3) cylinders were knocked out. The pilot was unable to feather the engine, and consequent windmillling set up a severe vibration, which made bailing out seem imminent. A safe landing was finally accomplished, after getting the fire under control, at Halesworth, P-47's of Air-Sea Rescue guiding the pilot to the field. The bullets seemed to come from the 94th Group, off tot he right of our formation, and the angle at which bullets hit the prop would seem to substantiate this belief. Our group was not test firing at this time.
     An excellent job of navigation was performed on today's mission, courses being flown vyer well, and in general the mission was flown substantially as briefed.

For the Commanding Officer:

James F. Gardenhire
Major, Air Corps,
Adjutant