The 486th Group flew thirteen combat missions during December, being grounded by unfavorable weather the rest of the month. There was heavy fog for almost an entire week before Christmas. Because of the pathfinder technique, however, we were able to fly more missions than the Groups flew which were here last year. Six of the thirteen missions were visual, a larger proportion than in November. The weather has a bad effect on landings, also. There was frequently haze or fog that made landing slow and dangerous. On at least two occasions it was feared that the planes would have to land at other fields. (Planes from other fields have had to land here after missions.)
There was a decided change in the type of target attacked. Nine of the thirteen were Marshalling Yards and one was a railroad bridge. One was a landing ground and only two were oil targets.
The concentration on transportation tergets was due to the German counter offensive. Unfortunately, it was followed by the week of fog when we were not able to give the ground forces the support they needed so badly. Finally, the weather cleared and a mission was flown on December 23. On December 24, we sent out 51 planes, the largest formation of any our formations. They were part of 2,000 bombers sent out by the 8th Air Force. The Field Order said it was "the day for which the Allied High Command has been praying ever since the German counter-offensive began." It was said to be the largest scale serial operation in history.
Targets were not as difficult during December as in the preceding month. Meager flak was encountered on several missions. Two crews were lost. Enemy aircraft attacked only one of our planes, which was lagging behind the formation.
Copyright © 1998-2026, 486th Bomb Group Association, Inc.