february 1945 - rafcamuseum.co.uk

February 1945

381st Bombardment Group Mission #244 – Mannheim, Germany 1st February

381st BG diary entry: We started February with a mission to Mannheim, Mission No. 224

for the Group. The marshalling yards were our objective and 37 of our aircraft were

dispatched under command of Major Winter. We led the entire Eighth Air Force over the

target.

The weather was bad all the way and the outfit had to climb over a high cloud front to

assemble. It was 10/10 at the target and a new bombing technique, the twin-beacon “Micro

H”, was used for the first time with results subsequently reported as successful. Aside from

the weather, the Group had little difficulty. Flak was meagre and inaccurate, and there were

no enemy fighters. Battle damage was slight.

There was one abortive, Lt. Kuhn, in a 535th aircraft, suffered engine difficulty over the

Channel, jettisoned his bomb load, and came on home, with only one engine left, and forced

to land down wind, Kuhn’s plane crashed into and knocked down two ground crew

huts. Nobody was injured but the plane was badly torn up.

The Daily Bulletin published the news that, effective February 19th, only official (TPM forms

3) passes would be acceptable in London.

S/Sgt. John C. Marinace, waist gunner, was awarded the DFC (GO 92, 1BD, 1 Feb.) “for

outstanding ability and exceptional ingenuity”. Mentioned in the citation was a mission (5

Oct. 1944) on which Marinace brought a wounded tail gunner out to the waist for first aid

while his ship was afire, and then crawled back to man the tail gun after the fire had been

extinguished.

532nd BS diary entry: Our target for today was the railway marshalling yards at

Mannheim, the second largest in Germany, and the port the second largest on the Rhine.

Bombing was by GH and results unobserved. AA fire was reported as moderate but

accurate by the lead squadron, and inaccurate for the low and high squadrons. No air

opposition. The pilots on this mission were: Lts Schwartner, Dunham, Armstrong, Fincher,

Smith, Firlit, Rusch, Instone, Adamson, Taylor and Hughes.

Major George Sandman was assigned command of the squadron today, relieving Lt Col

Fitzgerald who was transferred to Group HQ.

533rd BS diary entry: The first day of February dawned bright and clear with a

moderate wind sweeping the field. Take off time for the group's 244th mission was set for

07.45 hrs, and 37 ships were dispatched, with one spare. The 533rd provided ten ships.

There was one abort, Lt Kuhns of the 535th, who salvoed the bombs in the Channel and

returned to the field with two engines out; 42-32102 lost another engine as it came in to

land, and the pilot made a crash landing in the 533rd engineering area, knocking down two

crew chief's huts and completely wrecking the airplane. No one was hurt.

The 381st led the entire Eighth Air Force today, with Major Douglas Winter, 534th CO, in

command. The group had trouble in getting assembled this morning, having to climb away

over a high cloud front. Major Winter said weather was bad all the way to and from the

target. The formation attacked the marshalling yards at Mannheim, dropping bombs by

instruments through 10/10th clouds.

The mission marked the first time "Micro-H" bombing technique has been employed by the

381st. Flak at the target was light and inaccurate and battle damage to ships was extremely

light. No enemy aircraft were encountered.

534th BS diary entry: Under command of Squadron Commander, Major D.L. Winter, eight

of our aircraft were dispatched to attack the railway marshalling yards located at Mannheim,

Germany. Target was attacked by all aircraft on Gee-H equipment. Due to cloud coverage

results were unobserved. AA fire was reported as moderate on the squadron. There were

no enemy fighters encountered. Flying in the lead ship with Major Winter was Lt. Houk.

Participating on the mission were Lts. Stultz, Replinger, Pucylouski, Elliott, Bowden,

Anderson and Lt. Klunge.

535th BS diary entry: Eight squadron ships and crews participated into today's 10/10th

could job against marshalling yards at Mannheim. The group led the entire Eighth Air Force.

Clouds were high and the weather was bad all the way. Flak at the target was light and

accurate, although we suffered no casualties. No enemy aircraft were encountered.

Participating pilots were: Capt Davison (lead), Lts Mitchell, Thornton, Chamberlin,

Springmeyer, Clark, Williamson and Stevens.

Lt John Kuhns, in a/c 42-32102 "Male Call" of the 535th was forced to abort with engine

trouble, jettisoned his bombs in the Channel and returned to the base with three engines

out, landing downwind. His plane crashed into and completely wrecked a 533rd crew chief's

hut on the line. No one was injured. Pilot and crew are in the hospital for observation

tonight.

The end for the 55 mission ship the “Julie Linda”

8th AF diary entry: 2 missions are flown. Mission 814: 699 B-17s and 328 P-51s are

dispatched to hit rail targets and bridges in W Germany using Micro-H and H2X radar; no

losses:

1. 463 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yards at Mannheim (74) and Ludwigshafen

(70); 270 hit the secondary target, the highway and rail bridge at Mannheim; targets of

opportunity are Pforzheim (11) and other (3); 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 24

damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. Escorting are 142 of 151 P-51s.

2. 236 B-17s are send to hit the rail bridge at Wesel (139); 36 hit the marshalling yard at

Krefeld, the secondary target; and 13 hit Barth, a target of opportunity; 2 B-17s are

damaged. 49 of 53 P-51s escort.

3. 20 of 22 P-51s fly a scouting mission.

4. 87 of 102 P-51s fly a freelance sweep in support of the bombers. Mission 815: 6 of 9 B-

24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.

“Ludwigshafen also was hit during the day by four waves of more than 700 United States

Flying Fortresses, which also blasted other marshalling yards at Mannheim and rail and

highway bridges at Wesel.”

From “Forts and RAF Hit the Reeling Enemy,” on page 7 of the link.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3253123/posts


Mission #245 – Berlin, Germany 3rd February

381st BG diary entry: February 3 was a big day in the history of Eighth Air Force. Berlin

was the target and 1,000 bombers were sent to hit military targets within its limits. Capt

Edward M. MacNeill, flying his last mission (his seventh over Berlin) was in command of our

contingent of 36 aircraft and the Templehof railway district was our specific target. Capt.

Klinksiek was the lead pilot.

Flak was moderate but accurate. MacNeill said there was much less flak than there used to

be “in the old days”. Flying weather was good, and, although the formation found a solid

undercast from the European coast almost to Berlin, the clouds broke at the target and it

was wide open over Berlin. Ours was the twelfth Group to bomb and strike photos show our

explosives landing to the right and on the assigned MPI.

The formation returned 40 mins early with two ships missing. Listed as MIA are the

following:

2nd Lt. John B Anderson, pilot; 2nd Lt. Leonard A. Wall, co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Paul C.G. Cayoni

(Cayori in roster, Gayard in Medical and 532nd Osborne transcribed diary), F/O Carl H.

Forbes, Jr.; and Sgts. George R. Nessley (Nessly in roster), Carle E. Kempainen

(Kemppainen in roster), Curtis P. Wallace, Michal J. Medzic, and Robert N. McGreavy.

2nd Lt. Paul O. Pucylowski, pilot; F/O Harry M. Yarnes, 2nd Lt. John E. Kelleher, S/Sgt. A. H.

Zichterman, T/Sgt. Joseph J. Noxon, T/Sgt. Clarence E. Way, Sgt. Stuart R. Mitchell, S/Sgt.

Karl R. Green, and Sgt Robert M. Landes.

Anderson’s aircraft was last seen at approximately 52-44N-13-28E with its No. 2 engine

afire. The plane swerved off the target and left the formation where it was seen under

control long enough for the entire crew to bail out. Nine ‘chutes were seen, one evidently in

a delayed jump. The aircraft made a climbing turn after everybody was out and then

exploded.

Pucylowski’s fate is a mystery. Nobody noticed anything wrong with his aircraft. It was last

seen at 52-??N—13-23E when it left the formation made a sharp turn and slid underneath,

disappearing from sight. No ‘chutes were seen.

There was one casualty. It was S/Sgt. Jeremiah B. Hogan, 534th waist gunner, who

suffered a slight flak wound in the forehead.

The mission got a heavy play in the press. Strike photos taken by our Group, showing a

Fortress with contrail silhouetted on the target on which excellent hits were obtained,

appeared on page 1 of at least three London papers. Capt. MacNeill’s quote led the Eighth

Air Force story.

532nd BS diary entry: Today's target was Templehof rail yards in Berlin, where bombing

was done visually and strike photos indicate excellent results in the area designated MPI.

Flak was moderate and accurate in the target area, with both tracking and barrage fire

observed.

Taking part were Capts McNeill and Klinkseik were in the lead ship of the 1st "C" Group,

with: Lts Dunham, Schwartner, Taylor, Armstrong, Smith, Baden, Rusch and Anderson, the

latter missing in action.

His ship was hit by flak over the target area and fire seen to break out in #2 engine, before

four to nine chutes were seen, the aircraft then subsequently seen to explode in the air.

MIA crew: 2nd Lt John B. Anderson, 2nd Lt Leonard A. Wall, 2nd Lt Paul G. Gayard, F/O Carl

H. Forbes Jr; Sgt Carl E. Kemppainen, Sgt George R. Nessley, S/Sgt Michael J. Medzic, Sgt

Curtis P. Wallace, Sgt Robert H. McGreevey.

533rd BS diary entry: One thousand Flying Fortresses rocked refugee-packed Berlin today

with 2,500 tons of high explosives. Ten ships of the 533rd made up a fraction of the total

striking force, altogether the 381st put up 36 for the mission, with Capt McNeill of the

532nd in command.

Flying weather was good, but Europe was covered by an almost complete overcast all the

way to Berlin. At the city however, bombardiers found weather conditions CAVU, and a

visual bomb run was carried out. Our's was the 12th Group to attack the Tempelhof

marshalling yards, and strike photos show that our bombs hit to the right of the assigned

MPI. Flak at the target was moderate but extremely accurate. One man was slightly

wounded in the 534th and one 532nd ship is MIA. The formation returned to the field 40

minutes early.

534th BS diary entry: Nine of our aircraft, making up the high squadron in the Group

formation, attacked the central areas of Berlin today. Transport centers and government

buildings were specific targets assigned. According to photos, results were excellent. No

enemy fighters opposed and flak was moderate and accurate in the target area. Leading

were Capt. Ackerman and Lt. Gaw, with Lts. Lynch, Boyce, Schilling, Williamson, Replinger,

Bradley, Stultz and Pucylouski rounding out the formation. He was last sighted at about

1125 hours at 5245N-1330E and believed downed by anti-aircraft fire. Listed are members

of the crew:

Pucylouski, Paul C. 2nd Lt. Pilot

Yarnes, Harry M. F/O Copilot

Kelleher, John E. 2nd Lt. Navigator

Zichterman, A.H. S/Sgt. Bombardier

Noxon, Joseph J. T/Sgt. Radio Operator

Way, Clarence R. T/Sgt. Top Turret

Mitchell, Stuart R. Sgt. Ball Turret

Green, Earl R. S/Sgt. Waist Gunner

Landas, Robert M. Sgt. Tail Gunner

535th BS diary entry: Today's effort against Berlin, a city jammed to overflowing with

refugees from the Russian Front area, was the biggest ever carried out in daylight by Eighth

Air Force heavies. It cost this group two of the 37 participating 37 ships, but none from this

squadron.

Planes took off at 07.00 hrs and were back at 15.00. Berlin was wide open and bombs went

down on railroad stations and administration targets just east of the Tiergarten. All

returning crewmen said that section of town was a shambles.

Flying weather was good and flak for us, over the Tempelhof district in which our objectives

were located, was moderate but extremely accurate. Ours was the 12th group to attack this

target area, but we neither saw nor heard of enemy fighters. Escort was excellent to and

from.

The squadron sent ten planes and crews: Lts Greenspan, Bowser, Thornton, Chamberlin,

Stevens, Wulf, Springmeyer, Nugent, Cotea, Williamson and Peters.

Tour completed, S/Sgt Read Shoemaker, waist gunner, has left for home; Sgt Adrian O.

Johnson, AFCE man, is off on DS to Station #582, Warton, Lancs., and Pfc Mario DiDiego

has left for special Schooling at RAF Kirkham, near Blackpool.

The base hospital is beating the Daily Bulletin in an attempt to round up all empty medicine

bottles, whatever size or shape. Seems the shortage is acute throughout the UK.

8th AF diary entry: 2 missions are flown. Mission 817: 1,437 bombers and 948 fighters are

dispatched in a major strike on Berlin by B-17s while B-24s hit the synthetic oil industry at

Magdeburg; they claim 38-1-18 Luftwaffe aircraft; 25 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:

1. 1,003 B-17s are sent to hit the Tempelhof marshalling yard in Berlin (937); targets of

opportunity are Bad Zwischenahn (1), Bromsche (1), Gatow (13), Luneburg (2), Sogel (1)

and other (1); 23 B-17s are lost, 6 damaged beyond repair and 339 damaged; 18 airmen

are KIA, 11 WIA and 189 MIA. Escort is provided by 575 of 613 P-51s; they claim 12-1-0

aircraft in the air and 17-0-11 on the ground; 7 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 2 damaged

beyond repair.

2. 434 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Rothensee oil plant at Magdeburg (116); 246 hit a

target of last resort, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of opportunity are

Wesermunde (17), Mockern (12), Cuxhaven (9), Yechta Airfield (2) and other (3); 2 B-24s

are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 58 damaged; 19 airmen are MIA. Escorting are 210

of 232 P-51s without loss.

3. 41 of 44 P-47s fly a sweep over Friedersdorf Airfield; they claim 9-0-6 aircraft in the air;

1 P-47 is lost (pilot MIA). 4. 35 P-51s fly a scouting mission.

5. 24 P-51s escort 9 F-5s and 7 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany.

Mission 818: 1 B-17 and 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and W Germany during

the night.

“The powerful United States Eighth Air Force attacked the heart of Berlin yesterday noon

with about 3,000 tons of high explosives and incendiaries in the most concentrated bombing

ever carried out on the Reich capital.”

From “3,000-Ton Blow Hits Berlin in Steady Bombing of Reich,” on page 3 of the link.



Mission #246 – Ohrdruf, Germany 6th February

381st BG diary entry: Lt. Col. Conway S. Hall, 26-year-old command pilot, former Group

operations officer and, more recently, Group air executive, took over command of the 381st

officially February 6. There was a mission on that day too. Our 37 aircraft were under

command of Capt. Ewing S. Watson and the briefed target was Lutzkendorf.

The lead squadron’s lead ship had trouble with its VHF which was alternately going out and

coming back. As a result, the formation was somewhat scraggly. Patchy clouds made it

possible for the navigators to proceed by pilotage until the target area was reached. Here it

turned 10/10, and the lead VHF came on just in time for Capt. Watson to hear the Division

commander say he would attack a target of opportunity. Our formation followed the bomber

stream to a wide open area where the bombardier picked a a town with a railroad running

through it and bomb visually. The target was identified as Ohdoruf. Crew men said the

bombs landed along the railroad in the built-up area.

There was virtually no opposition. The formation caught meagre flak at the enemy coast

going in and no flak at the target. There were no enemy fighters. Two of our aircraft failed

to bomb with the formation and dropped their explosives on Steinbeck.

532nd BS diary entry: We had two plans today, the "A" plan to attack Lutzkendorf, and "B"

was decided just before briefing. At the I.P. the Division Leader gave instructions to bomb a

target of opportunity. Our group pounded Ohrdruf, while two of our aircraft hit Steinbach.

No flak was encountered over the target; at Stuttgart and Minden moderate inaccurate AA

fire was encountered, but there was no enemy air opposition. Taking part were: Lts

Schwartner, Firlit, Hughes, Smith, Taylor, Armstrong, Godwin, Baden, Rusch and Instone.

533rd BS diary entry: Briefed to attack Lutzkendorf visually, a force of 35 aircraft of the

group were unable to do so today, were ordered not to attack the secondary and finally

dropped their bombs on Ohrdruf, Germany, a highway junction 10 miles south of Gotha.

Two bombers attacked Steinbeck. Nine 533rd ships took part, with Capt Ewing S. Watson,

of the 533rd, as group commander. One of our ships, piloted by Lt Crouse landed at another

base.

A shake-up in base commands resulted in many important transfers and some re-

assignments within the squadron today. Lt Col George G. Shackley, 533rd CO for more than

a year, goes to Group HQ, and appointed Air Executive. The new squadron CO is Capt Ewing

S. Watson. Major Joseph Kreiger, Jr., was transferred to the 535th, and 1st Lt James V.

Farley, also went to Group HQ, as group bombardier.

534th BS diary entry: Two plans again sent in. Plan “A” scheduled our aircraft for an

attack on the synthetic oil works at Lutzkendorf, while plan “B” was to attack Berlin. Crews

were briefed on Lutzkendorf. This target was not attacked. A target of opportunity,

Ohrdruf, Germany, was bombed with good results on center of railways. There were no

enemy fighters and no AA fire in target area. Some flak was encountered at Minden on the

route in. Our aircraft made up the low squadron of the Group’s formation. Led by Captain

Ackerman and Lt, Houk – Lts. Stultz, Bradley, Replinger, Elliott, Lynch, Bowden, Samo and

Lt. Klunge successfully completed the mission.

535th BS diary entry: The group was briefed to hit Lutzkendorf visually, but could not

because of 10/10th weather over the continent, so chose Ohrdruf instead, for an instrument

offensive. Results were unobserved. The target was one of opportunity, is considered

nothing more that a wide spot in a second-rate road and here the feeling generally is the

less said about this operation the better for all concerned. This squadron, fortunately, did

not lead.

Participating were: Capt Davison woth Lts Malleus, Greenspan, Springmeyer, Rojohn, Clark,

Robuck, Chamberlin and Cotea.

1st Lts Ralph W. Spatz, pilot, and Leland H. Doda, bombardier, have left for home, tours

completed.

Lt Col Conway S. Hall, original with the group and its air executive since activation, has

assumed command as of this date, replacing Col Harry P. Leber, Jr.

8th AF diary entry: Mission 821: 1,383 bombers and 904 fighters are dispatched to attack

oil targets in Germany; the expected clear weather does not materialize and the bombers

attack secondary targets and targets of opportunity using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1

Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:

1. 474 of 949 B-17s hit the secondary target in 2 forces, the marshalling yard at Chemnitz;

targets of opportunity are the Gotha marshalling yard (88), Giessen (68), Saalfeld (39),

Ohrdruf (35), Eisfeld (34), Schmalkalden (32), Greiz (22), Zwickau (22), Eisenach (13),

Waltershausen (12), Dirlos (12), Ostheim (12), Friedrichroda (11), Steinbach (2), Meppen

(1), Reichenbach (1), Schmalkalden (1), and other (1); 3 B-17s are lost, 13 damaged

beyond repair and 115 damaged; 41 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 24 MIA. Escorting are 545

of 588 P-51s; they claim 1-0-1 aircraft in the air and 3-0-0 on the ground; 4 P-51s are lost

(pilots MIA) and 7 damaged beyond repair.

2. 418 of 434 B-24s hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of

opportunity are the Meppen Bridge (1) and Quackenbruck (1); 2 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged

beyond repair and 61 damaged; 18 airmen are MIA. The escort is 235 of 262 P-51s without

loss.

3. 33 of 38 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.

4. 8 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany.

5. 8 P-51s escort air-sea-rescue aircraft.

“1,300 U.S. Bombers Pound Reich; Blast Rail Routes to Both Fronts,” on page 6 of the link.

The 381st was briefed for Lutzkendorf, which is near Leipzig. Ohrdruf, the group’s TOE, lies

southwest of Leipzig.http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3255052/posts


Recalled Mission – Essen, Germany 7th March

381st BG diary entry: The mission intended for a target at Osterfeld, Germany, February

7, was recalled after the aircraft had taken off.

The day gave rise, however, to an unprecedented one-man attack on Germany. Lt. Taylor,

of the 532nd, was unable to stay with the formation because he lost the boost on his No. 3

engine. He cut north in an attempt to intercept the formation before it went out over the

coast. His radio operator failed to hear the recall order and Taylor, unable to see a

formation, and unwilling to come back as an abortive, calmly proceeded on to Germany

alone. He ran into a 10/10 cloud, figured that was why he missed the outfit, made a Gee-H

run on Essen, and let fly at that target. He hit accurate flak and came back with major

battle damage, but he made it all right. Credit for the mission was duly handed out and

Taylor and Blakeney, the navigator, were awarded back pats, after the head office brass

had worried, for a time, about the problem of whether or not Taylor should be court

martialed.

532nd BS diary entry: Today we were to attack the coking plant at Westerfeld, eight miles

from Essen. Because of poor weather the ships were recalled, except 2nd Lt Taylor, who did

not hear the recall and carried on to drop his bombs on Essen.

533rd BS diary entry: Our ships took off about 09.20 hrs this morning, with Osterfeld,

Germany, as the intended target. Extremely poor weather conditions were encountered as

the formation neared Germany, and a recall was ordered. The planes landed at home field

at 13.30 hrs. One 532nd ship became separated from the formation and did not receive the

recall, and bombed Essen alone.

534th BS diary entry: Crews were brief to attack the coking plants at Osterfield, Germany.

Our aircraft were target bound when severe weather was encountered. Mission was re-

called and all aircraft dispatched returned safe to base.

535th BS diary entry: A mission intended against Osterfeld, Germany, was recalled today.

8th AF diary entry: 2 missions are flown. Mission 822: 295 B-17s and 80 P-51s are recalled

when they encounter a weather front rising to 30,000 feet (9,144 m) over the North Sea; 1

B-17 attacks Essen; no bombers are lost. Escort is provided by 41 of 80 P-51s without loss.

36 of 36 P-51s patrol the Siegen, Germany area without loss. Mission 823: 10 B-24s drop

leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.

“RAF ‘Heavies’ Rock Reich Front Towns,” on page 7 of the link. All were grounded except Lt.

Taylor of the 532nd BS, whose B-17 went to Essen all alone and made a bombing run.



Mission #247 – Arnsberg, Germany 9th February

381st BG diary entry: On the ninth, in response to an Army request, 37 of our aircraft

went out for an attack on the motor road viaduct at Arnsberg, Germany. Capt. Cronin,

assistant Group operations officer, led the contingent, which flew all the way to the target

over broken cloud only to find the objective completely covered. In addition, the cloud layer

ran much higher than briefed, completely enveloping our aircraft at bombs-away, which was

handled on PBO-GH technique. There was neither flak nor fighter at the targets and all our

Forts and crews returned without casualty or incident.

532nd BS diary entry: Today the top priority target was a railway viaduct at Arnsberg

which was attacked. Bombing was done by GH technique and results were unobserved. No

enemy aircraft appeared while flak meagre to moderate and fairly accurate at the enemy

coast. The pilots were: Capt Klinkseik and Lt Marshall, who led the high squadron with: Lts

Firlit, Baden, Schwartner, Armstrong, Taylor, Adamson, Dunham and Rusch.

533rd BS diary entry: Thirty seven bombers of the 381st attacked a motor road viaduct at

Arnsberg, south east of Dusselldorf. Capt Bill Cronin of the 534th led the formation. Breaks

in the clouds on the way over were reported, but the target area itself was completely

covered. Clouds at Arnsberg were higher than briefed, and the bombers were actually in

them at "bombs away". There was no flak at the target and no enemy aircraft.

534th BS diary entry: Flying low squadron in the Group’s formation, eight of our aircraft

led by Capt. Cronin and Lt. Houk attacked the railway viaduct at Arnsberg, Germany.

Bombing was by Gee-H technique; therefore results were unobserved. There was an

absence of enemy fighter opposition. No flak encountered in the target area and only

meagre, fairly accurate fire was encountered along the route out. Participating were:

Capt. Cronin and Lt. Houk, Lt. Elliott, Lt. Stultz, Lt. Marelius, Lt. Rice, Lt. Samo, Lt. Boyce,

Lt. Anderson and Lt. Fithian.

535th BS diary entry: A main road viaduct at Arnsberg was the target for today, but a

complete cloud coverage necessitated and instrument attack and results were unobserved.

There were neither flak nor enemy fighters at the target, but some very meagre flak was

seen near the coast line on the way back to base.

Nine squadron crews and 12 ships flew today: Capt Todd and 1st Lts Mitchell, Bowser,

Biene, Robuck, Malleus, Peters, Cotea and Williamson. The 533rd used our: Los Angeles City

Limits, Me and My Gal, and Phyllis.

8th AF diary entry: Mission 824: 1,296 bombers and 871 fighters in 6 forces hit oil targets

in Germany; except where noted, attacks were made with PFF; they claim 61-4-22

Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:

1. 313 B-24s are sent to hit the Rothensee oil plant at Magdeburg (10); 268 hit the

secondary target, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of opportunity are Tarchen

(9) and Quackenbruck Airfield (1); the Magdeburg attacks are made using H2X; they claim

0-0-1 aircraft; 3 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 51 damaged; 14 airmen are

KIA, 5 WIA and 20 MIA. Escorting are 151 of 173 P-51s; they claim 9-0-5 aircraft in the air

and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).

2. 198 of 311 B-17s hit the secondary target, the munitions industry at Weimar; targets of

opportunity are the marshalling yards at Giessen (25) and Gottingen (15), the munitions

industry at Eisenach (11), Jena (11) and Fulda (24) and other (4); attacks are made using

H2X and visually; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and

7 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 28 MIA. The escort is 271 of 274 P-51s; they claim 8-1-3

aircraft in the air and 2-0-9 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond

repair.

3. 304 B-17s are dispatched to the oil plants at Lutzkendorf (233); 12 hit the secondary

target, Erfurt; targets of opportunity are Eisenach (13, using H2X radar), Eisleben (13),

Montesada (11) and other (3); all attacks except 1 were visual; 1 B-17 is lost, 2 damaged

beyond repair and 64 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA, 3 WIA and 26 MIA. 193 of 215 P-51s

escort and claim 2-1-0 aircraft in the air and 34-0-3 on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots

MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.

4. 64 of 65 B-24s hit the Schildesche rail viaduct at Bielefeld using Gee-H without loss. 39

of 40 P-47s escort without loss.

5. 151 B-17s are sent to hit the Altenbeken rail viaduct at Paderborn (72) and the Arnsberg

rail viaduct (75) using Gee-H; 1 B-17 is lost and 1 damaged. 47 of 53 P-51s escort without

loss.

6. 107 of 152 B-17s hit the secondary target, oil plants at Dulmen using Micro H; 21 hit a

target of opportunity, the marshalling yard at Munster with H2X radar; 10 B-17s are

damaged. Escorting are 55 of 60 P-51s without loss.

7. 33 of 35 P-51s fly a scouting mission; they claim 5-1-0 aircraft in the air without loss.

8 20 of 21 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance missions over Germany.

No mention of Arnsberg in today’s coverage of 8th Air Force activity (“Jet Planes Hit U.S.

‘Heavies’ in Swirling Fight over Reich”). Page 7 of the link.



Mission #248 – Brux, Czechoslovakia 14th February

381st BG diary entry: Flying as “B” group in the Combat Wing, which led the entire First

Air Division, we turned what might have been a miserable and costly failure into one of our

outstanding combat performances Feb. 14.

Dresden was briefed as the target centre, but the field order carried a strict injunction that

nothing whatsoever would interrupt the bomber stream, heading for a target very close to

the advancing Russians in southern Germany. Consequently, when the Group ahead of us

led off course because of a foul cloud and contrail conditions over the central Reich, Capt.

Tyson, 535th operations officer up as Group leader for our 37 bomber contingent, realized

the time schedule had already been upset. He therefore had no other choice but to seek a

target of opportunity.

While we peeled off in search of such an objective, after sustaining considerable damage

from AA defenses, the Group ahead went plowing on through the cumulo-bango weather

and flak prevailing over Munster. Capt. Pelenik, Group lead bombardier for the day, began

looking for a hot target through weather that constantly varied between VACU and

fubar. Although he was unaware of the full importance of what he finally selected at the

time, he lined up on a vast industrial pile which later proved to be the long-sought-after

SudetenländischeTreibstoffwerke, an A-plus priority synthetic oil plant two miles northwest

of Brux, Czechoslovakia.

There, as strike photos later proved, lead and high squadrons did an excellent visual job,

with heavy and tight bomb concentrations placed in and near the plant buildings.

The 12-plane low squadron, failing to recognize Palenik’s bomb run, made up for the

oversight a few minutes later when they hammered home their explosives on the Skoda

arms plant at Pilsen.

It was a rough day, with the formations encountering moderate to intense flak, first at

Munster, next at Brux and finally at Pilsen. On the way out, the crews observed our

excellent escort in large dogfights with the Luftwaffe although none of our formations were

attacked.

Eighteen of our aircraft landed away from base, thirteen of them on the Continent, most of

them for lack of fuel or because of engine failures. Two crews bailed out of their aircraft

over Belgium and, of these, two were injured – 2nd Lt. E. B. Wulf and S/Sgt. C.J. Kubiak,

pilot and tail gunner respectively, who were hospitalized in Belgium. Four drifted into enemy

lines and presumably were made prisoners.

Missing in action are: Sgts. D. McCartney, radio; W. Tresti, ball turret; P.D. Boland, waist;

and M.P. Bioavert, tail, all of the 534th.

It was rough back at the base after the remnants of the formation came in, too. The rest of

the day was spent in trying to determine what it was the Fortresses hit. Grave fears were

expressed that the formation was over Chemnitz at the bombs away and that the explosives

had fallen on the Russians. When the target had been identified, however, there was great

rejoicing. For it developed that the bombs had fallen on an objective which the Eighth had

been seeking for months.

The most unusual experience of the mission belonged to 2nd Lt. Hugh D. Robinson, Jr.,

Wulf’s co-pilot. Having bailed out of his Fortress, Robinson was picked up just inside the

Allied lines by American soldiers. Examined by a doctor, he was ordered to the hospital at

Leige for X-rays. He went off in an L5, was clouded in while in the air, flew around until the

fuel gave out, and then bailed for the second time. That wasn’t all. He was in a B-24, for a

ride back to England, when the Liberator’s landing gear collapsed while it was taxing for

take-off.

532nd BS diary entry: A target of opportunity, a synthetic oil plant eight miles north of

Brux, Czechoslovakia, was bombed visually and preliminary photos show excellent results.

Moderate to intense flak was encountered. Taking part were: Capt Klinkseik, Lts Baden,

Instone, Schwartner, Firlit, Fincher, Taylor, Rusch and Major Vickery.

533rd BS diary entry: The 381st received a Valentine Day card today - one which it was

not expecting. What started to be an unsuccessful mission later proved to be the most

successful ever carried out by the 381st, whose 37 ships took off at 08.30 hrs, briefed to

attack Kassel, with Dresden as the secondary.

The entire First Air Division, led by Lt Col Ensign, went off course at Munster, where flak

was moderate to intense. The 381st lost the rest of the Division in contrails and cirrus

clouds shortly afterward. Capt Jim Tyson, flying lead ship with the 535th, did not dare go off

course and off time to Dresden, the secondary target scheduled for a split-second timing

attacks by a great number of bombers.

The only choice left open for the 381st was a target of opportunity. Fortunately, Capt

Palenik, the lead bombardier, spotted a large industrial plant through a break in the clouds

near Brux, Czechoslovakia, and was able to synchronize on it. Strike photos later showed

direct hits on and around the plant, which proved to be the vital Sudetenland Ische Treibst

Offenwerke, a synthetic oil factory and a long-time high priority target for the Eighth Air

Force. A force of 25 bombers attacked the oil plant, while 12 others of the 381st bombed

marshalling yards at Pilsen, through 10/10th clouds.

Eighteen of our aircraft landed away from base, 13 on the continent. The 533rd ships took

part in the attack on Brux. Two of the squadron's ship landed in Brussells and one in France,

but all landed safely at base later.

Today's pilots were: Lts Roush, Carr, Nolan, Coates, Sutherland, Illig, Hacker, Goldin and

Riza.

534th BS diary entry: After eight of our crews were briefed on two plans, one to Kassel

and the other to Dresden, they went to a target of opportunity. Through a break in the

cloud coverage the synthetic oil plant located at Brux, Czechoslovakia was sighted and

bombed with excellent results. No fighter opposition encountered. At Brux, moderate to

intense, very accurate black and white tracking flak was encountered. Pilots that took part

are: Lt. Stultz, Lt. Bowden, Lt. Elliott, Lt. Bradley, Lt. Rice, Lt. Fithian, Lt. Anderson and Lt.

Lynch with their respective crews.

On return from this mission members of Lt. Anderson’s crew were forced to abandon the

aircraft due to flak damaged sustained over the target. All men bailed approximately over

the tattle lines. Thus far five men have returned to base. Listed are those MIA:

Sgt. Daniel T. McCartney

Sgt. William Trestik

Sgt. Richard D. Bland

Sgt. Marce P. Boisvert


dispatched to hit oil and rail targets in Germany; bombing of most targets is by H2X radar;

they claim 11-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:

1. 461 B-17s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yard at Dresden (311); targets of

opportunity are Prague (62), Brux (25) and Pilsen (12) in Czechoslovakia and other (25);

they claim 1-0-0 aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 54 damaged; 4

airmen are KIA, 15 WIA and 49 MIA. Escorting are 281 of 316 P-51s; 3 are lost (pilots MIA)

and 1 damaged beyond repair.

2. 457 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Chemnitz (294); targets of opportunity

are Eger Airfield (38), Bamberg (33), Sonneberg (23), Tachau (24), Hof marshalling yard

(12) and other (17); 1 B-17 is lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 103 damaged; 2 airmen

are KIA, 4 WIA and 14 MIA. The escort is 224 of 238 P-51s; 2 are lost (pilots MIA) and 1

damaged beyond repair.

3. 375 B-24s are sent to hit an oil refinery at Magdeburg but are unable to attack due to

weather; 340 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of opportunity

are Emlicheim (1), Meppen (1), Bodenteich (1) and other (1); 1 B-24 is lost, 2 damaged

beyond repair and 16 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. 253 of 273 P-51s escort; they claim 10-

0-3 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

4. 84 B-17s are sent to hit the Wesel road bridge (37); 35 hit the secondary, the Dulmen oil

depot and 1 hits Ahaus, a target of opportunity; 15 B-17s are damaged. 26 of 30 P-51s

escort the bombers.

5. 44 of 49 P-47s fly a sweep of the Magdeburg area without loss.



Mission 831: 10 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.

“Dresden was hit three times within fifteen hours – twice by the RAF in a 1,400-plane

operation Tuesday night that started the assault rolling, and again by Britain-based bomber

of the Eighth Air Force, which staged a 2,250-plane daylight follow-up.”

From the lead article, “Ten Cities Bombed,” on pages 2-3 of the link. Brux, Czechoslovakia,

the target of opportunity bombed by the 381st, is not mentioned but it is just across the

border from Dresden.



Mission #249 – Dresden, Germany 15th February

381st BG diary entry: We went back to Dresden February 15, with Capt. MacNeill in the lead ship of our

24-aircraft formation. Although the formation was briefed for clear weather over Dresden, MacNeill was

informed by the weather scout that it would be 10/10. There was no flak at the target but the formation

encountered anti-aircraft fire both at Brux and at the bomb line. It was meagre and inaccurate although

it covered a wide area. The formation bombed Dresden, using PFF method. Two of our aircraft hit other

targets, one dropping near the Wesen-Ems canal, the other hitting Lingen, Capt. Carpenter, low

squadron leader, was forced to abort and jettisoned his bombs in the Channel. There were no losses or

casualties.

532nd BS diary entry: The secondary target Dresden was attacked using PFF method, in support of the

Russian Army's drive as Dresden is one of the few railroad links between Czechoslovakia and Germany.

However 10/10th cloud prevented observation, but PFF instruments indicated the target well hit.

Moderate inaccurate flak was encountered soon after the target. Participating were: Capts McNeill and

Miller leading the "B" Group of the 1st CBW, along with: Lts Baden, Smith, Taylor, Hughes, Rusch and

Major Vickery.

533rd BS diary entry: Twenty two bombers of the 381st attacked the city of Dresden today, bombing by

instruments through 10/10th cloud. Seven ships of the 533rd took part, one flown by Capt Carpenter,

low squadron leader, aborted and jettisoned bombs in the Channel.

Weather today was good for flying, although there was a solid undercast at the target itself. No flak was

met at the target, but there was meagre and inaccurate flak over a wide area near Brux. No enemy

aircraft were seen.

Pilots participating were: Capt W.F. Carpenter, Lts Schein, Crouse, Goldin, Saccomano, Fawcett,

Sutherland, Urban and Illig.

534th BS diary entry: Though the Group participated on a mission today – the 534th was “stood down”.

None of our crews or aircraft took part.

535th BS diary entry: Weather was good for flying but undercast solid for bombing. Non-persistant

contrails caused some troubles, there was no flak at the target and the Luftwaffe again failed to show.

Two of our aircraft bombed targets of opportunity. They were piloted by Lts Robuck and Nugent, who

bombed the Ems-Weser Kanal, and Lingen, respectively. Other squadron pilots were: Lts Mitchell,

Bowser, Clark, Springmeyer, Murphy and Malleus.

The new station theatre, back in the building where movies were first shown here, opended tonight with

a showing of "Lifeboat". The place is strictly swell now, with regular theatre seats (salvaged from a

blitzed theatre, purchased, transported and installed by Special Service); a rheostat dimout for house

lights and two 75 mm projectors, which obviate any stopping for film changes. Shows are continuous, no

signs plaster the walls and the management mean business there. There's a Reserved section for officers

and enlisted men with guests.

8th AF diary entry: Mission 832: 1,131 bombers and 510 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets in

Germany; with some exceptions, all attacks are made using H2X radar; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe

aircraft; 2 bombers and 1 P-51 are lost

1. 459 B-17s are sent to hit oil targets at Bohlen; 435 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Cottbus;

targets of opportunity are Dresden (1), Quackenbruck (1) and other (2); 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged

beyond repair and 34 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. 153 of 173 P-51s escort; they claim 2-0-0

aircraft; 3 P-51s are damaged beyond repair.

2. 224 B-17s are dispatched to hit oil targets at Ruhland; 210 hit the secondary, Dresden; targets of

opportunity are Lingen (1) and the Ems-Weser Canal (1); 4 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 8

damaged; 7 airmen are KIA and 8 WIA. Escorting are 141 of 158 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA).

3. 353 of 372 B-24s hit the Magdeburg synthetic oil plant; 1 B-24 is lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and

32 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 3 MIA. The escort is 110 of 120 P-51s.

4. 58 of 76 B-17s hit a target of last resort, the Rheine marshalling yard; 13 others hit Munster, a target

of opportunity. Escorting are 27 P-47s.



“The Great city of Dresden, now only about fifty miles from the Russian front, received its

fourth attack in less than forty-eight hours, jeopardizing the architectural if not the artistic

treasures that made it ‘the German Florence.’”

From “Rail City Blasted,” on pages 6-7 of the link.



Mission #250 – Langendreer, Germany 16th February

381st BG diary entry: With Major Bordner in the lead ship, a 37-aircraft formation from

here participated in the attack on transportation targets at Nurnberg the following

day. Although there was good weather at the Belgian coast, clouds began building up to

27,000 feet in Germany, and it was 10/10 over the target. The formation made a mickey

run and the bombing results were unobserved. Flak at the target was meagre and

inaccurate, generally bursting behind the formation. On the bomb run, two bombs from Lt.

Lundquist’s aircraft dropped through the wing of Lt. Davis’s Fort, but there were no

casualties. Lt. Stevens, who lost two engines on the way in, pulled out of formation,

bombed Staden all alone, and returned early.

532nd BS diary entry: Over two hundred and fifty 200 pound bombs were dropped by the

group on the marshalling yards at Langendreer, Germany. The lead and low

squadrons made instrument bomb run due to vapour trails. At the last moment the target

became visible and synchronization was made on the choke point. Photos show good results

with the choke point well covered with hits. The wire drawing plant adjacent was also well

hit. The High Squadron reported their bombs going squarely into the smoke and flame of

the primary target which had been well hit by preceding wings. Very accurate tracking fire

moderate to intense was encountered from the I.P. to the target. Taking part were: Lts

Adamson, Taylor, Baden, Armstrong, Dunham Hughes, Smith, Rusch and Fincher.

533rd BS diary entry: Lt Col George G. Shackley, flying in a 533rd ship, with Lt Gotthardt

as his pilot, commanded 36 bombers of the 381st in an attack on an oil plant, fuel dump,

marshalling yard and steel works in Langendreer, Germany today.

Altogether, 23 bombers dropped their loads with good results, on the yards, and the other

13 hit targets of opportunity in Langendreer. Strike photos show hits on an oil or

ammunition dump on the south bank of a canal north of the MPI. A tremendous flash and a

huge column of white smoke shows clearly in the pictures.

Flak at the target was intense and fairly accurate, lasting about seven minutes. Eight of the

533rd's nine ships suffered major battle damage, but there were no casualties and all

returned safely to base.

Taking part today were: Lts Gotthardt, Schein, Nelson, Richard, Urban, Hacker, C.H.

Carpenter, Sutherland and Saccomano.

534th BS diary entry: Capt. Ackerman and Lt. Replinger led the formation composed of

Lts. Rice, Marelius, Lynch, Elliott, Bowden, White and Fithian on the attack on the

marshalling yards at Langendreer, Germany. Photos show good results on the choke point.

There were no fighters to oppose the formations run on the target. Very accurate, tracking

fire, moderate to intense was encountered from the Initial Point to the Target.

535th BS diary entry: Flak was fairly intense for our 250th mission, to Langendreer today

as nine squadron ships participated with the group in bombing an oil plant and fuel dump

there. Contrails were bad going over and targets were covered with haze, but bombardiers

got away good hits on the dump and refinery, although many bombs were badly scattered.

Also hit (unbriefed) was the marshalling yard at Langendreer. Other targets were slightly

north of the town.

No Luftwaffe appeared again to trouble our pilots who were: Lts Simmons, Mitchell, Malleus,

Clarke, Beine, Stevens, Springmeyer, Nugent and Schlosser. The 532nd had two men

wounded.

Latest report on Lt Wulf and crew clears up an erroneous wire from Division , which said

most were MIA. It is now known Lt Wulf and S/Sgt Kubiak (tail) are hospitalized on the

continent, but the rest are on their way back to base.

8th AF diary entry: Mission 833: 1,042 bombers and 197 fighters attack benzol plants, oil

refineries and marshalling yards in C Germany; 8 bombers are lost:

1. 223 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Hamm (208); targets of opportunity are

Osnabruck (1), Meppen (1) and Rheine (1); bombing is by H2X, Micro H and some visual; 2

B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 95 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 11 MIA.

Escorting are 44 of 45 P-51s.

2. 375 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Harpenerweg oil refinery at Dortmund (78) and oil

refineries at Nordstern (104) and Minsterstein (112); 30 hit the marshalling yard at

Munster, a secondary target; targets of opportunity are Langendreer (23) and other (2);

bombing is by Gee-H with some visual; 5 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 170

damaged; 8 airmen are WIA and 46 MIA. 38 of 39 P-51s escort.

3. 362 B-24s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Osnabruck (174) and Rheine (94) and the

Salzbergen oil refinery (46); 31 hit Burgsteinfurt, a target of opportunity; H2X and Gee-H

are used; 1 B-24 is lost and 26 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. 50 P-51s escort the B-24s.

4. 63 of 76 B-17s hit the rail bridge at Wesel visually; 13 hit the marshalling yard at Rheine,

a target of opportunity, with H2X. Escorting are 45 of 51 P-51s.

5. 6 B-24s fly a screening mission without loss.

6. 4 P-51s fly a scouting mission.


8. 4 P-51s escort a B-17 on a "special sortie."

“The United States Eighth Air Force sent more than 1,000 Fortresses and Liberators,

escorted by 200 Mustang fighters, against benzol plants at Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen . .”

From “Allies Rain Bombs on Western Reich,” on page 10 of the link.



Mission #251 – Dortmund, Germany 19th February

532nd BS diary entry: Today we bombed the synthetic oil plant at Dortmund. By GH

method with results unobserved. Flak was meagre and accurate from the target area. Our

pilots were: Lts Adamson, Taylor, Baden, Hughes, Dunham, Armstrong, Smith, Gehret,

Rusch and Fincher.

533rd BS diary entry: Capt Carpenter and Lt Privett of the 533rd led 37 bombers of the

381st to an attack on the Moesch-Benzin synthetic oil plant at Dortmund today. The bombs

were dropped by instruments through 10/10th cloud. Three 533rd ships suffered minor

battle damage: #761, #560, and #977. Take-off was at 10.30 hrs and return to base was

16.30 hrs. However 13 aircraft from the 398th BG, Nuthampsted landed at this base with

bad ground haze at the time and a flare path was lighted.

Pilots today were: Lts Privett, Fawcett, Sutherland, Pettitt, Reynolds, Richard, Oldsman, Illig

and Hacker.

534th BS diary entry: Synthetic oil plants located in Dortmund were bombed by Gee-H

methods today. Results were not observed. Captains Ackerman and Gaw led the low

squadron of the group which was made up of Lts. Rice, Elliott, Marelius, Stultz, Klunge,

Davis and Lt. White. Flak was moderate and there was no opposition from enemy fighters.

535th BS diary entry: Thirty seven group aircraft, 11 of them the 535th, two loaned to

533rd and 534th, today attacked the Hoesch-Benzin synthetic oil plant at Dortmund, in the

Ruhr Valley, through 10/10th cloud with unobserved results. Flak was meagre and

inaccurate over the target, moderate and inaccurate over the bomb line coming home. No

casualties, no Luftwaffe.

Flying for the squadron were: Todd, Bowser, Malleus, Clark, Stevens, Schlosser,

Springmeyer, Robuck and O'Neil.

8th AF diary entry: Mission 835: 1,135 bombers and 560 fighters are dispatched to hit oil,

industrial and rail targets in Germany; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 and 7 P-

51s are lost:

1. 196 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Osnabruck (155); 24 hit the secondary

target, the marshalling yard at Munster; 10 hit Haselunne, a target of opportunity; Micro-H

and H2X are used; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 21 damaged; 1 airman is WIA.

Escorting are 38 of 42 P-51s.

2. 291 B-24s are dispatched to hit military vehicle plants at Meschede (97) and Jungenthal

(86) and the marshalling yard at Siegen (94) using Gee-H; 1 B-24 is lost and 8 damaged; 9

airmen are MIA. 122 P-47s and P-51s escort.

3. 422 B-17s are sent to hit benzol plants at Bochum (99) and Gelsenkirchen (36), oil

refineries at Dortmund (74) and Alm (37) using Micro H and H2X; 162 hit the secondary

target, the Munster marshalling yard (162) visually; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and

59 damaged; 1 airman is KIA. 91 of 96 P-51s escort; 1 is lost (pilot MIA).

4. 131 of 144 B-17s hit the marshalling yard at Rheine with Micro H without loss. 48 P-51s

escort.

5. 68 of 82 B-17s hit the rail bridge at Wesel using Micro H; 25 B-17s are damaged. 32 of

37 P-51s escort.

6. 163 of 179 P-51s fly a fighter sweep against rail and road targets in the Hannover-

Magdeburg-Brunswick area claiming 2-0-0 aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 5 P-

51s are lost (pilots MIA).

7. 27 of 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission; 1 is lost (pilot MIA).

“Skytrains of more than 1,100 Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the United States Eighth

air Force thrummed out through clearing skies over England’s east coast and bombed . . .

industrial plants in western Germany, mostly in the Ruhr.”

From “2,000 Big Bombers Rock Nazi Targets,” on page 13 of the link. Dortmund is a Ruhr

city.



Mission #252 – Nurnberg, Germany 20th February

381st BG diary entry: With Major Bordner in the lead ship, a 37-aircraft formation from

here participated in the attack on transportation targets at Nurnberg the following

day. Although there was good weather at the Belgian coast, clouds began building up to

27,000 feet in Germany, and it was 10/10 over the target. The formation made a mickey

run and the bombing results were unobserved. Flak at the target was meagre and

inaccurate, generally bursting behind the formation. On the bomb run, two bombs from Lt.

Lundquist’s aircraft dropped through the wing of Lt. Davis’s Fort, but there were no

casualties. Lt. Stevens, who lost two engines on the way in, pulled out of formation,

bombed Staden all alone, and returned early.

532nd BS diary entry: Nine ships of our squadron took off today to bomb the rail

workshops at Nurnberg, but cloud cover prevented observation of results. Meagre

inaccurate flak was encountered in the target area and over the battle lines. Leading the

high squadron were Capt Miller and Lt Seeley, with: Lts Baden, Gehret, Adamson, Taylor,

Armstrong, Smith, Dunham and Sobol.

533rd BS diary entry: Weather was mild and spring-like this morning, with a high overcast

clearing about 08.00 hrs. Major Bordner of the 534th, led 36 of the group's aircraft to an

attack on the railroad station at Nurnberg, Germany, the 252nd mission for the 381st.

Bombing was carried out through 10/10th cloud and results were unobserved. Flak at the

target was moderate and inaccurate, generally bursting behind our formation. Ten bombers

from the 533rd took part in the operation, all returning safely without casualties.

Participating pilots were: Lts Riza, Nelson, Sutherland, Saccomano, Pettitt, Reynolds, Cline,

Oldsman, Illig and Hacker.

534th BS diary entry: Under command of Major Chas. Bordner, Squadron Operations

Officer, and Lt. Houk, nine of our aircraft wee dispatched to bomb the railway workshops

located at Nurnberg, Germany. Bombing was accomplished by P.F.F. with no reports of

results being observed. Meagre, inaccurate flak was encountered by the formation at the

target and over the battle lines. Pilots taking part were: Rice, Marelius, Klunge, White,

Elliott, Stow, Davis, Bradley and Major Bordner with Lt. Houk.

535th BS diary entry: The group, with nine of our crews participating, attacked the railroad

station at Nurnberg today, bombing through 10/10th clouds, again with unobserved results,

in the face of moderate and inaccurate flak. No enemy fighters showed up, our escort was

good and all returned safely.

Strictly speaking only eight of our ships bombed Nurnberg, one dropped on Staden,

Germany. This was Lt Stevens, in "Pair of Queens", who lost two engines, dropped out of

formation, bombed and returned early. He and his crew got credit for a mission. The others

were: Capt Simmons (with Major Krieger), Lts Peters, Bowser, Nugent, Clark, Cotea, Hawley

and O'Neil.


dispatched to hit the main station and marshalling yard at Nurnberg, Germany; the target is

bombed visually and using H2X radar; they claim 49-1-21 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s and 7

fighters are lost:

1. 360 B-24s dispatched abandon the mission over Belgium due to weather conditions; one

B-24 hits Steig, a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair; 3 airmen are KIA

and 2 WIA. Escorting are 123 of 141 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot

MIA).

2. 831 of 904 B-17s hit the primary target; targets of opportunity are Schiltach (16) and

other (12); 5 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 241 damaged; 9 airmen are

KIA, 10 WIA and 47 MIA. The escort is 315 of 337 P-51s; they claim 8-0-2 aircraft on the

ground; 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

3. 194 P-47s and P-51s strafe rail and road targets in the Nurnberg and Straubing areas;

they claim 12-0-1 aircraft in the air and 35-1-20 on the ground; 7 fighters are lost (pilots

MIA).

4. 28 of 29 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.


Mission 837: 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night

without loss.

Mission 838: During the night of 20/21 Feb, 30 B-24s attack the Neustadt marshalling yard

without loss and 6 of 7 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.

“The Allies swung a powerful aerial scythe in a 300-mile arc through central Germany last

night and today culminating in an attack by 900 Flying Fortresses of the United States

Eighth Air Force on the railroad yards at Nuremberg, Hitler’s reported emergency capital

and one of the principal railroad hubs of southern Germany.”

From “900 ‘Forts’ Blast Nuremberg Yards,” on page 8 of the link.



Mission #253 – Nurnberg, Germany 21st February

381st BG diary entry: Nurnberg was our objective again Wednesday, Feb. 21, and the No.

1 visual target was the armament factory. Our aircraft were under command of Major

Taylor. The formation found broken clouds all the way in, building up to 10/10 at the

target. The bombing was done by PFF methods and results were unobserved. Flak was

meagre and inaccurate at the target.

532nd BS diary entry: Nurnberg was bombed today through 10/10th cloud by PFF, but

results unobserved. Flak was generally meagre and inaccurate with scattered fire. Capt

Miller and Lt O'Connor led the low squadron along with: Lts Schwartner, Rusch, Instone,

Taylor, Gehret, Armstrong, Sobol and Dunham.

533rd BS diary entry: There was a light frost this morning, with some fog and mists over

low ground. The sky was bright and clear, when 37 aircraft took off at 07.15 hrs for the

253rd mission, a PFF attack on the Nurnberg marshalling yards, Major Taylor, 535th leading

the formation which included seven bombers of the 533rd.

Flak was meagre and inaccurate, behind our formation at the target. No enemy aircraft

were seen and the bombers received close support all the way from strong formations of P-

51s. All our planes returned safely with no casualties.

Our pilots were: Hales, Nolan, Crouse, Goldin, Pettitt, Reynolds, Cline, Oldsman and

Saccomano.

534th BS diary entry: Nurnberg was again bombed by aircraft of this squadron. P.F.F.

technique employed again. Results were unobserved. Flak was meager and generally

inaccurate and scattered. Lts. Rice, Fithian, Klunge, Stultz, Davis, White, Bradley, Stow,

Samo and Fink took part.

535th BS diary entry: Back to Nurnberg again today, with Major Ike Taylor and Lt Larry

Smith leading the group. Two targets, for either visual or instrument bombing were briefed,

and we hit the secondary, the marshalling yards (primary being yesterday's railroad station)

with unobserved results. Technique was by PFF. Flak was meagre and inaccurate, there

were no enemy aircraft. Mustang support was good and the mission was generally

uneventful.

Squadron's other pilots were: Lts Stevens, Mitchell, Cotea, Clark, Peters, Springmeyer,

Hawley and Nugent.


dispatched to again attack the tank plant, main railroad station, marshalling yards and

locomotive shops at Nurnberg, Germany using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe

aircraft on the ground; 7 fighters are lost:

1. 830 of 867 B-17s hit the marshalling yard; 11 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is

damaged beyond repair and 298 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 6 WIA. Escorting are 373 of

391 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

2. 375 of 395 B-24s hit the station and marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are Speyer

(1) and other (2); 63 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 3 WIA. The escort is 175 P-

47s and P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

3. 45 of 46 P-51s make a sweep of the Meiningen-Coburg-Nurnberg area; 1 P-51 is lost

(pilot MIA).

4. 98 of 101 P-51s escort Ninth AF B-26s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft.

5. 23 of 31 P-51s fly a scouting mission; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).

6. 29 of 30 P-51s escort 10 F-5s and 7 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over

Germany.

Mission 840: During the night of 21/22 Feb, 25 of 29 B-24s attack the Duisburg power and

gas stations using PFF; 2 B-24s are lost.

“Yesterday’s Nuremberg attack went on for a solid hour and about 3,000 tons of bombs –

14,000 high explosives and 400,000 incendiaries – went cascading onto the city’s rail yards,

big locomotive shops and a tank factory and electrical equipment plant.”

From “RAF Rocks Worms in Big Night Blow,” on page 4 of the link.



Mission #254 – Kobbelitz, Germany 22nd February

381st BG diary entry: We were briefed to attack the marshalling yards at Gardelegen Feb.

22, hitting the objective from 12,000 feet. We formed part of a great effort of 3,000

bombers intent upon knocking out as many enemy communications centres as possible. The

RAF and the Russians were in the show. Crews were briefed to attack any railheads as

targets of opportunity.

Our 37 aircraft were commanded by Capt. Tyson. The formation missed the primary

because it was forced out of position in the traffic pattern by another Group. Tyson went on

to Kobbelitz for a good visual coming of the overcast at the marshalling yards. The high

squadron bombed at Klotze, also attacking a marshalling yard with good results.

Gen. Gross was present at the interrogation and, after the critique by the lead crews, he

presented the Legion of Merit to Major Kurner, the Bronze Star to Major Greenlee and the

Purple Heart to Sgt. Nassar.

532nd BS diary entry: Our target for today was a vital point in a south-west railroad at

Germerslager, Germany. Capt Klinkseik led in the low squadron, others: Lts Rusch,

Schwartner, Instone, Armstrong, Girlit, Gehret, Dunham and Sobol. We bombed a target of

opportunity at Kobbelitz with excellent results on the rail line of that town. Flak was nil and

no air opposition was encountered.

533rd BS diary entry: Despite wet, misty weather this morning, 37 bombers of the 381st

took off for two separate attacks on marshalling yards at Kobbelitz and Klotze, Germany.

The primary target, the Gardelegen marshalling yards north of Magdeburg, was missed

when our group was diverted from course by the traffic pattern interference of another

outfit.

Dog-fights were seen in front of our formation in the target area, but there was no flak.

Bombing results were adjudged to be fair to good in both cases, especially since the

bombers released their explosives from the extremely low level of 12,000 ft. The nine

bombers of the 533rd took part in the attack on Klotze.

Today's pilots were: Lts Roush, Fawcett, Riza, Goldin, Coates, Nichols, Reynolds,

Saccamano and Urban.

534th BS diary entry: Our assigned target was the vital rail points at Gardelegen,

Germany. However a target of opportunity was selected and bombed visually. Photos show

excellent results. Selected target was the tail point at Kobbelitz, Germany. There was no

flak and there was no enemy fighter opposition. Lts. Zorski, Samo, Rice, Fink , Davis ,

Bradley, Fithian, Stow and R. Rice attacked selected target successfully.

535th BS diary entry: We led the group again today, with Capt Tyson and Lt Smith in front

slot. Bombing, against an auto or freight overpass at Kobbelitz, was carried out from 12,000

ft, unusually low.

The primary was the marshalling yards at Gardelegen, but this was missed when our group

was diverted from course because of traffic pattern interference of another group. We and

the low squadron attacked the overpass at Kobbelitz, while the high squadron missing the

initial bomb run, went on to drop against a similar objective at Klotze.

Bombing results were from fair to good in both targets of opportunity. Weather was good,

fighters were seen ahead of us during the bomb runs, but none attacked. Escort was good;

our boys saw what they think were two Mustangs shot down in dogfights ahead of our

outfit.

Flying for the squadron were: Lts Beine, Springmeyer, Hawley, O'Neil, Murphy, Bowler,

Brashear and Williamson. The 534th borrowed our "Stage Door Canteen" and "Wild Bill" for

this operation.

Garrison caps, officer-style headgear worn by EM over here since we arrived, but generally

banned at home, are no longer authorized and penalty will be imposed upon anyone caught

wearing one. Most were picked up in a recent inspection, to be held for the holder until we

move ……. ?

1st Lt Leonard E. Rojohn, tour of duty pilot, has left for home; S/Sgt Gordon J. Kubiak,

Wulf's tail gunner, previously listed MIA over Brux, on Feb 14, is with the 47th Evacuation

Hospital on the continent.

8th AF diary entry: Mission 841: 1,428 bombers and 862 fighters commence Operation

CLARION, a joint RAF, Eighth, Ninth and Fifteenth AF operation with the objective of

paralyzing the already decimated German rail and road system; most attacks were made

visually; bombing was conducted from an optimum 10,000 feet (3,048 m) to achieve

accuracy at target without flak defenses; they claim 28-2-43 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers

and 13 fighters are lost:

1. 522 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Bamberg (64), Zwickau (2) and Kitzingen

(1); targets of opportunity are Ansbach (143), Donaueschingen (24), Reutlingen (25), Ulm

(77), Freiburg (21), Hafingen (10), the marshalling yards at Aalen (24), Neustadt (26),

Singen (8), Schwenningen (22), and Villgen (11) and other (42); some attacks are made

with H2X radar; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft; 2 B-17s are lost and 29 damaged; 2 airmen are

WIA and 19 MIA. Escorting are 163 of 168 P-51s; 3 are lost (pilots MIA).

2. 452 B-24s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Halberstadt (51), Sangerhausen

(11), Nordhausen (30), Vienenburg (23), Peine (52), Hildesheim (55), Kreiensen (48), and

Northeim (48); targets of opportunity are Nordhausen (11), Ottbergen (10), the rail and

highway bridge at Lindern (1) and marshalling yards at Wallhausen (19), Oker (8),

Eschwege (30), Gottingen (29) and Celle (8) and other (1); 4 B-24s are lost and 68

damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 38 MIA. 246 P-47s and P-51s escort; they claim 19-0-16

aircraft on the ground; 4 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

3. 454 B-17s are sent to hit Wittenburg (72), Stendal (73), Salzwedel (59), Uelzen (73),

Wittstock (11), Luneburg (39), and Ludwigslust (48); targets of opportunity are Grabow

(13), Kobbelitz (24), Dannenberg (12) and Klotze (13). The escort is 268 of 280 P-51s; they

claim 4-2-18 aircraft in the air and 3-0-5 on the ground; 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

4. 99 of 103 P-51s fly a freelance mission in support of the bombers; they claim 2-0-0

aircraft in the air; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).

5. 28 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission; they claim 2-0-3 aircraft on the ground.

6. 13 P-51s escort 10 F-5s and 5 Spitfires on photo reconnaissance missions over Germany.

“The names of the target towns are far too numerous to list and in most cases obscure

because the air forces were instructed preferably to choose targets that never have been

attacked. The targets included everything that moved or helped move the Wehrmacht.”

From “Vast Area Blasted,” on pages 8-9 of the link. One of those unnamed target towns was

Kobbelitz.



Mission #255 – Meiningen, Germany 23rd February

381st BG diary entry: With Major Sandman in the lead ship, 37 of our aircraft took part,

February 23, in the continued assault on German communications. We were briefed for

HOF. A complete 10/10 undercast prevailed all the way in and the formation searched

Germany for a suitable target. Major Sandman finally located Meiningen, where the lead and

high squadrons bombed the marshalling yard. The low went on to Adelsberg, having been

unable to line up on Meiningen, and hit the rail center there with fair results. Although the

bombing was carried out from 13,000 feet, there was no opposition with the exception of

about 12 bursts of flak going in and a like amount coming out. The search for a target

caused many of the aircraft to run out of fuel and 11 landed away from base. All were

subsequently reported all right.

While the mission was going on, 44 enlisted men, the second contingent from this station,

left for the infantry.

532nd BS diary entry: The primary target for today was Hof, Germany, but a target of

opportunity at Meiningen was attacked with good results. Meagre inaccurate flak from the

Erfurt area on the way in to the target and the Rhine sector on the way out. Major Sandman

and Capt Bryce led the "A" Group of the 1st CBW, supported by: Lts Instone, Dunham,

Godwin, Firlit, Sobol, Smith, Gehret and Winefski.

Our squadron intelligence officer, Capt George Kelley, was transferred to Group HQ. The

following ground personnel were transferred to the infantry, and left today: Sgt Rivera, Cpl

Conn, Pfc's Matthews, Smith, Van Horne, Pvts Chennault and Williams.

533rd BS diary entry: Led by Lt Roush, nine bombers of the 533rd were part of a force of

12 which attacked marshalling yards at Adelsburg, Germany today, while the main force of

25 bombers of the group attacked marshalling yards at Meiningen. A complete undercast

blocked vision all the way in and precluded at attack on the primary target, the yards at

Hof, Germany.

The group sought a target of opportunity and found Meiningen, where the lead and high

squadrons bombed the marshalling yards with good results. The low squadron, which

included the 533rd, failed to recognize the run at Meiningen, made a 360 degree turn and

bombed the yards at Adelsburg with only fair results. Flak was only meagre, no enemy

aircraft seen, thus all our ships returned home safely to base.

Our pilots participating today were: Lts Schmalz, Nolan, Riza, Coates, Pettitt, Nichols, C. H.

Carpenter, Urban and Goldin.

The following EM left today for assignment to the 12th Re-inforcement Command as more

infantry material: Cpls Hugh J. Lazzeroni and Virgil E. Smothers; Pfcs Virgil R. Huskey,

Albert M. Dolfen, Harry F. Hard; Pvts John B. Keffer, Armand V. Gervais and Sgt Harry

Orser; T/Sgt Albert D. Hines was released to the 70th RD casual pool.

534th BS diary entry: The primary target for this date was railway junction at Hof,

Germany. A target of opportunity – Meiningen – was bombed with results being reported as

good. There was no e/a opposition and meager, inaccurate flak from Erfurt. Some fire

directed formation from the Rhine sector. Capt. Ackerman and Lt. Replinger led the

formation that was composed of Lts. Zorski, Marelius, Stow, Stultz, Fithian, Fink, Samo and

Davis.

535th BS diary entry: Today's assigned target for visual bombing was the marshalling

yards at Hof, Germany, This was completely cloud covered, however, and the group sought

targets of opportunity. Ten crews of this squadron bombed with the 25 ships which hit the

Meiningen marshalling yards with good results. Twelve other bombers attacked a fork in the

railroad at Adelsberg, with only fair results after failing to recognize the lead's bomb run.

There was no flak at the target, no enemy aircraft, good Mustang escort, as we bombed

from 13,000 ft, again very low.

Particiapting pilots were: Lts Bowler, Clark, Malleus, Hawley, Peters, O'Neil, Brashear, Bush,

Williamson and Murphy. The latter two landed at other bases, are OK, and will be in soon.

The squadron sent six of the station's 44 EM who left today for infantry training. The second

lot of replacements, these are no volunteers, were medically examined and passed at the

station hospital: Sgt Howard D. Collins, Pfc Theodore J. Nero, Pvt Jesse F. Garcia, Cpl Junius

V. Vickers, Pfc Herbert A. Sullwood and Pfc Raymond L. Estes.

8th AF diary entry: 2 missions are flown. Mission 843: As a follow-up to the yesterday's

attacks on transportation facilities as part of Operation CLARION, 1,274 bombers and 705

fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in Germany; they claim 15-0-16 Luftwaffe

aircraft; 1 B-24 and 6 P-51s are lost:

1. 446 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Treuchtlingen (61), Crailsheim (52),

Neumarkt (74), Ansbach (109) and Kitzingen (95); targets of opportunity are Nordlingen

(2), Schwabisch Hall (24), Winterhausen (7) and other (2); 1 B-17 is damaged beyond

repair and 34 damaged; 1 airman is WIA. Escorting are 194 of 203 P-51s; they claim 5-0-2

aircraft on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

2. 460 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Plauen (110); targets of opportunity are

Meiningen (49), Adelsberg (12), Hildburghausen (12), Kitzingen (88), Lichtenfels (13),

Schweinfurt (12), Ellingen (25), Ottingen (48), Wurzburg (37), Crailsheim (38), and Zwolle

(1); 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 16 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. 193 of 208 P-

51s escort and claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air; 3 P-51s are lost; 1 pilot is KIA and 3 MIA.

3. 368 B-24s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Weimar (57), Fulda (10) and Gera

(46); targets of opportunity are Paderborn (104), Osnabruck (50), Jena (25), Schluchtern

(20), Fritzlar (9), Reichenbach (9), Steinau (9), and other (1); 1 B-24 is lost, 4 damaged

beyond repair and 6 damaged; 21 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA. The escort is 105 of 110 P-

51s.

4. 141 P-47s and P-51s make a sweep of Neuburg, Landsberg and Leipheim Airfields

claiming 9-0-14 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).

5. 4 P-51s escort 10 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany.


Mission 844: 24 of 27 B-24s make a PFF attack on the Neuss marshalling yard during the

night without loss.

“[Among the German targets were railyards at Krailsheim, . . . Meiningen, . . . and

Wuerzberg – all objectives on main rail lines, The Associated Press said.]”

From “6,000 Planes Tear at Nazi Railyards,” on pages 10-11 of the link.



Mission #256 – Hamburg, Germany 24th February

381st BG diary entry: Hamburg was our objective Feb. 24 and 36 of our aircraft

participated, with Capt. MacNeill commanding. The mission was uneventful. The 5/10

undercast encountered at the coast began building up as the formation went along and

there was doubt until the last minute as to the type of bombing to be attempted. The

formation finally used PFF methods and results were unobserved. Lt. O’Neill, with one

engine out and two others malfunctioning, bombed a target of opportunity and returned

early.

Preflighting an aircraft for the mission, Sgt. Thomas S. Downey, an assistant crew chief,

was hit and killed instantly by a revolving propeller when a fire broke out in an

engine. Downey was trying to put an extinguisher on the flame.

532nd BS diary entry: Our target for today was the Blohm & Voss submarine yard at

Hamburg. Bombing was done through 10/10th cloud by PFF methods so results were

unknown. No enemy aircraft were met, while flak was meagre to moderate barrage type in

the target area. Participating were: Capt McNeill and Lt O'Connor leading "B" Group of the

1st CBW, with: Lts Fincher, Gehret, Schwartner, Dunham, Firlit, Smith, Armstrong and

Taylor.

533rd BS diary entry: A cool, frosty and clear morning today, with the sun rising above

light mists about 08.30 hrs. The Hamburg docks constituted the primary target for a force

of 35 of the 381st, but 10/10th undercast at the target forced the formation to bomb the

city proper. The mission was uneventful. Flak at the target was meagre and inaccurate and

no enemy fighters were seen. The group was led by Capt Ed McNeill of the 532nd.

Taking part today were: Lts Roush, Nolan, Crouse, Illig, C.H. Carpenter, Jones, Cline,

Coates and Eagle.

534th BS diary entry: Eight of our ships, in low squadron position of Group formation, took

off to attack the submarine yards at Hamburg, Germany. P.F.F. technique used. “Mickey”

operator reports a good run on the target. There was no fighter opposition and meagre,

inaccurate flak encountered in the area of Stade. Meagre barrage fire in target area.

In preparing aircraft for today’s mission, Sgt. Thomas S. Downey was accidentally killed.

Sgt. Downey was an assistant crew chief and has been with the organization since

activation.

535th BS diary entry: Nine squadron Forts took part in the group's uneventful PFF attack

against Hamburg. 10/10th cloud covered the city, where flak was meagre and inaccurate,

no enemy aircraft and the escort was very good. What is known as "A piece of cake."


dispatched to hit oil refineries and rail targets using H2X radar; they claim 1-0-3 Luftwaffe

aircraft on the ground; 2 bombers and 11 fighters are lost:

1. 362 B-17s are sent to hit the Albrecht (278) and Harburg (70) oil refineries at Hamburg;

6 others hit a target of opportunity; 26 B-17s are damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. 181 of 195

P-51s escort; 4 are lost (pilots MIA).

2. 280 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Misburg oil refinery (104) and the marshalling yard at

Lehrte (61); 76 hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Bielefeld; targets of

opportunity are Hannover (11), Lingen (2) and other (5); 1 B-24 is lost, 1 damaged beyond

repair and 16 damaged; 4 airmen are KIA, 3 WIA and 12 MIA. Escorting are 166 of 179 P-

51s; 5 are lost (pilots MIA).

3. 383 B-17s are sent to hit the Deschimag U-boat yards at Bremen (200) and the Bremen

W rail bridge (134); targets of opportunity are Minden (12), Osnabruck (8), Quackenbruck

(5) and Brinkum (1); 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 162 damaged; 7 airmen

are WIA and 9 MIA. The escort is 93 of 98 P-51s; they claim 1-0-3 aircraft on the ground; 2

P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

4. 70 of 76 B-17s hit the Wesel rail bridge using Micro H; 22 B-17s are damaged. 29 P-51s

escort without loss.

5. 12 of 13 B-17s fly a screening mission.

6. 43 of 46 P-51s fly a freelance mission for the bombers without loss.


8. 17 P-51s escort 19 F-5s and 4 Spitfires on photo reconnaissance missions over Germany.

Mission 846: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.

“ A 100-mile aerial parade of 1,100 American Flying Fortresses and Liberators, escorted by

500 fighters, attacked refineries in Hamburg; Harburg, a suburb of Hamburg, eighty miles

to the south; submarine yards at Hamburg and Bremen, and railroad yards at Bielefeld and

other points in northwestern Germany.”

From “2,300 Planes Bomb U-Boat, Oil Plants,” on page 6 of the link.



Mission #257 – Munich, Germany 25th February

381st BG diary entry: Sunday, February 25, we went in to Munich with Capt. Cronin in

command of our 37 aircraft. It was an exceptionally satisfactory. The ground was visible all

the way to the target. Although there were smokepots hiding the target, wind blew the

smoke away and gave us a clear look at the objective. We bombed visually, and, although

we hit to 398th MPI instead of ours, our bombs “walked right across the marshalling yards”.

Flak was moderate and accurate but it didn’t start coming up until after the bombing

run. There were no losses and no casualties.

Meanwhile, back at the station, Anna Neagle with Herbert Wilcox, Phyllis Calvert and Jean

Nent, three of Britain’s best known film stars, helped “Stage Door Canteen” celebrate its

105th mission. There was a birthday cake with 105 candles, which Anna Neagle cut and the

others served, with coffee. A picture of Miss Neagle holding out a slab of cake to M/Sgt.

Clarence B. Bankston, crew chief, on a knife, appeared in most of the English papers,

particularly those controlled by Lord Kemsley. Clarence Winchester, Group Captain

Mahaddie and Harold Thackrau, of Stage Door Canteen in London, and Peter Murray Hill,

actor and husband of Miss Calvert, were present as were, also, Mr. and Mrs. Richard

Plummer, Gen. Gross was also in the party.

532nd BS diary entry: The target for today was the carriage side of a main station

marshalling yard at Munich. Bombing was done visually by squadron, with strike photos

showing good results. Flak was meagre and inaccurate en route but moderate and accurate

in the target area. Pilots were: Lts Hughes, Taylor, Sampson, Godwin, Firlit, Dunham,

Smith, Winefski, Armstrong and Fincher.

533rd BS diary entry: An exceptionally satisfactory bombing job was accomplished today

when the 533rd, 534th and 535th attacked visually the marshalling yards at Munich. The

533rd put 12 ships up for the mission, the formation made up of 37 ships of the 381st. One

of our ships, 44-6478 W, piloted by Lt Paul Illig, landed at Woodbridge, Suffolk, after

running short of gas. He immediately refuelled and return to home base. Another ship

landed at Woodbridge and a third in Belgium.

Capt Cronin, group operations officer, was air commander for the operation, with Lt Privett

as his pilot. The ground was visible going over but completely covered by clouds on the way

back. Jerry's smokepots at the target worked to our advantage in two ways: wind blew the

smoke away from the yards and gave us a perfect pick-up point on the target; smoke

interfered with the German AA until after we had bombed. Flak was moderate and accurate

after bombs away, but our group suffered no losses. According to Capt Cronin, our bombs

"walked right across the tracks."

Today's pilots were: Lts Privett, Nolan, Reynolds, Pettitt, Goldin, Jones, C. H. Carpenter, Illig

and Coates.

The day at the base was overcast and windy, growing slightly warmer in the afternoon. No

changes in the 533rd were listed in morning reports.

Anna Neagle and other British movie stars were at the base today for a celebration on the

line honouring completion of 100 missions by "Stage Door Canteen" a 535th Fortress. Brig

Gen William M. Gross, First Combat Wing C.O., was a guest of honour at the ceremony.

534th BS diary entry: Today’s target was the railway marshalling yard of Munchen.

Bombing was accomplished successfully by visual sightings. Wet prints show excellent

results – with a good pattern shown in marshalling yards. Meagre to moderate, inaccurate,

tacking flak encountered along the route and moderate accurate flak at the target. Capt.

Ackerman and Lt. Replinger led the formation which was made up of Lts. Samo, Elliot,

Stultz, Klunge, R. Rice, Fithian, Zorski and Lt. Fink.

535th BS diary entry: The group attacked the marshalling yards at Munich today, visually,

in the face of moderate and accurate flak with very good results. No enemy aircraft, good

escort. Jerry's attempt to smokescreen the yards backfired on him when the wind shifted

blowing smoke away from instead of over the yards. Bombardiers were able to pick out the

objective miles away, very satisfying experience for a change.

Participating were: Capt Simmons (with Major Kreiger), Lts Mitchell, Robuck, Stevens,

Hawley, Murphy, Peters, Bowler and Schlosser. The latter landed in Belgium, no report yet,

but probably OK.

It is interesting to note that the wrong-way smokescreen interfered with German AA

batteries, so that flak did not come up until after the group had bombed.

Re-classified from career gunners to armorer gunners are Sgts Elbert H. Holt, Calvin J.

Hockley, Edward J. Franklin, Roland C. Kinzer and Alfred M. Mata.

Sgt Homer L. Williams, who refused to fly a mission last month, bolting from the plane just

before take-off time, has been reduced in rank to Pvt.

M/Sgt Clarence B. Bankston's "Stage Door Canteen", which Mary Churchill christened last

Spring, had a 105-mission 'birthday party' today, with Anna Neagle, Jean Kent and Phyllis

Calvert, London stage and screen stars, cutting cake and serving coffee. The cake had

almost a candle for each mission (actually they managed to dig up 99 little white ones,

which isn't bad), and the Kemsley papers, always interested in Anglo-American relations,

sent a photographer from The Sketch. USSTAF sent Sgt Joe Pazen, and both he and the

civilian caught a swell shot of Bankston, holding the big cake, mugging for a monster

mouthful of the piece Miss Neagle was holding out to him on a knife. We should see this in

tomorrow's papers.

8th AF diary entry: 2 missions are flown. Mission 847: 1,197 bombers and 755 fighters are dispatched to hit tank factories, airfields associated with jet aircraft, oil depots and rail targets visually; they claim 34-0-21 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 8 fighters are lost: 1. 377 B-17s are sent to hit the Maybach tank factory at Friedrichshaffen (63) using Gee-H, and the station and marshalling yard (73) and oil storage tanks and marshalling yard (174) at Munich; 51 hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Ulm; 1 other hit Kenzingen,

a target of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 135 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 2 WIA and 18 MIA. Escorting are 136 of 149 P-51s; they claim 1-0-2 aircraft on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 2. 452 B-17s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yard at Munich (315) and Neuburg (88); targets of opportunity are Kaufbeuren (13), Ludwigsfeldt marshalling yard (12), Kempten (1), Durladingen (2), Rortwell (1) and other (5); 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 197 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 3 WIA and 27 MIA. 140 of 145 P-51s escort and claim 2-0-3 aircraft on the ground. 3. 368 B-24s are sent to hit the marshalling yard (115) and tank factory (54) at Aschaffenburg and the airfields at Giebelstadt (96) and Schwabishch Hall (93); 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 31 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA and 6 WIA. The escort is 126 of 135 P-51s.

4. 262 P-47s and P-51s fly close escort and area patrols claiming 21-0-4 aircraft in the air and 10-0-12 on the ground; 6 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair.

5. 8 P-51s escort 4 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany. 6. 32 of 34 P-51s fly a scouting mission. Mission 848: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night. “Munich is Bombed in 6,000-Plane Day,” on page 4 of the link. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3261749/posts


Mission #258 – Berlin, Germany 26th February

381st BG diary entry: Major Winter led a formation of 37 of our aircraft to Berlin on

Monday, and the trip turned out to be a milk run. It was a solid 10/10 at the target and the

bombing was PFF. The only opposition was meagre and inaccurate flak, although some

Jerries were reported in the target area. The radio reported, later in the day, that more than

3,000 tons of bombs fell on Berlin in the operation.

532nd BS diary entry: Today the target was the Schlesischer railroad station in Berlin, but

due to 10/10th cloud bombing was by instruments with results unobserved. No enemy

aircraft attacked this group but an ME 110 was observed in the target area. Flak was

meagre to moderate, barrage type in the target area, but cause no damage to our ships.

Pilots participating. Capt Klinkseik and Lt Miller who led the high squadron of the 1st CBW,

along with: Lts Smith, Taylor, Firlit, Schwartner, Fincher, Davis, Sampson and Hughes.

533rd BS diary entry: Weather this morning reminded squadron personnel that Spring is

just around the corner. The day dawned clear, with scattered clouds and a moderate, warm

wind.

At 07.45 hrs 37 bombers of the 381st took off to attack Berlin, ten of them supplied by the

533rd, which flew spare. The formation was commanded by Major Douglas Winter, 534th

CO, who led the group over increasingly thick undercast to the target. A PFF bombing job

through 10/10th clouds was carried out and results were unobserved.

The "spot jammer" technique against enemy anti-aircraft radar apparently works usually

well. One SJ operator reported stopping 32 separate "leaks" over Berlin. There were no

enemy aircraft either seen or reported and our P-51 escort was very strong. More than

3,000 tons of bombs hit Berlin from Eighth Air Force heavies today, the attack being made

in greater force than the devastating Feb. 3 attack. All ships returned safely save one, which

landed on the Continent.

Our pilots were: Lts Riza, Reynolds, Urban, Goldin, Pettitt, Goodwin, Saccomano, C.H.

Carpenter, Nichols and Illig.

From one through a dozen distant rocket blasts were heard and felt throughout the early

morning hours.

534th BS diary entry: Led by Squadron Commander, D.L. Winter and Lt. Houk – Lts. Samo

and R. Rice, Stultz, White, Fink, Bradley, Kunge, and Lt. Fithian bombed the cit of Berlin.

Cloud coverage prevented any observation. Bombing was accomplished by instruments.

No enemy a/c attacked this squadron. However e/a were observed in the target area. Flak

was meager to moderate, inaccurate and of the barrage type. No damaged sustained by

our aircraft. The 534th led the group formation.

535th BS diary entry: Through solid undercast and unbothered by meagre and inaccurate

flak, the group, including nine squadron crews, bombed Berlin again today. The Luftwaffe

was at home, apparently, and veterans like the 534th's Major Doug Winter, who led, called

it a milk run, the easiest trip they had ever had anywhere.

Apparently the new 'spot-jammer' technique against enemy AA radar unit frequencies is

working beautifully. Any operator with his equipment can jam three radar frequencies at

one time, and bomber passing over a target in great streams always have enough spot

ships around to keep the enemy well bottled on the ground. Of course some flak gets

through … but whoever heard of Berlin being called "a milk run !"

Participating were: Todd, Biene, Peters, Hawley, malleus, Murphy, Brashear, Bowler and

Perry, who is reported landing on the continent but OK.


dispatched to make H2X radar attacks on three Berlin rail stations; they claim 6-0-0

Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17s and 3 P-51s are lost:

1. 377 B-17s are sent to hit the Schlesischer rail station (363); 1 hits Osnabruck, a target of

opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost and 21 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 18 MIA. 214 of 244 P-

51s escort claiming 4-0-0 aircraft in the air.

2. 446 B-17s set out to hit the Alexanderplatz rail station (418); 4 others hit a target of

opportunity; 1 B-17s is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 43 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA,

2 WIA and 9 MIA. Escorting are 232 of 240 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft on the ground;

3 P-51s are lost (2 pilots MIA).

3. 361 B-24s are dispatched to hit the North rail station (285); 37 hit Eberswalde, the

secondary target; 4 hit a target of opportunity; 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 26

damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 3 MIA. The escort is 20 P-47s and 190 P-51s.

4. 17 B-17s and 6 B-24s fly screening missions.

5. 31 of 32 P-51 fly a scouting mission.

Mission 850: During the night, 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany; and

5 B-24s fly a CARPETBAGGER mission.

“Berlin is Bombed in Peak U.S. Blow,” on page 7 of the link.



Mission #259 – Leipzig, Germany 27th February

381st BG diary entry: Tuesday was another PFF day as Major Bordner led 37 aircraft to

attack Leipzig. It was 10/10 at the target. Although there was a heavy flak barrage at the

target just before we got there, for us the anti-aircraft fire was reported as meagre and

inaccurate. There were no incidents. Results were unobserved.

532nd BS diary entry: The target for today was the ball-bearing factory at Leipzig. Our PFF

target was the marshalling yards at the same place, but results unobserved due to bombing

the 9/10th cloud. Flak was meagre to inaccurate on our way in, but not on our formation.

The pilots were: Dunham, Firlit, Schwartner, Fincher, Sikes, Smith, Sampson and

Armstrong.

533rd BS diary entry: Ten bombers of the 533rd took part with other squadrons in a PFF

attack on the marshalling yards at Leipzig. Flak was meagre for the 381st, although there

were heavy barrages over the city before and after our bomb run. Flying weather and

bombing formation were good today, and satisfactory results are believed to have been

achieved. All our ships returned safely with no casualties.

Today's pilots taking part were: Lts Illig, Crouse, Urban, Saccomano, Goldin, Coates,

Nichols, Goodwin, Oldsman and Pettitt.

534th BS diary entry: Leading the Group formation for the second time n as many days

the 534th dispatched 9 a/c to attack ball bearing factories in Leipzig, Germany. Leading the

formation was Major Chas. Bordner who was assisted by Lt. Houk. Participating were: Lt.

Samo, Lt. R. Rice, Lt. Stultz, Lt. Stow, Lt. White, Lt. Elliott, Lt. Fink and Lt. Hull. Bombing

was through 9/10ths clouds and by P.F.F. means. No results observed. Flak was meagre,

moderate, inaccurate in the target area. No damage to aircraft.

535th BS diary entry: The day was beautiful and summerish here, with warm breezes and

plenty of sun. The group attacked marshalling yards at Leipzig PFF between two heavy flak

barrages. Results were unobserved and flak was only meagre for our group, which slipped

in between the two rough hand-outs. Enemy aircraft were conspicuous by their complete

absence and the escort was good. There were no casualties.

Flying for the squadron were: Lts Mitchell, Beine, Malleus, Stevens, Robuck, Nugent,

Brashear, Bowler and Murphy.


dispatched to hit road and rail communications at Halle and Leipzig using H2X radar; they

claim 83-0-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-24s and 2 P-51s are lost:

1. 314 of 351 B-24s hit the marshalling yard at Halle; targets of opportunity are Bitterfeld

(21) and other (3); 2 B-24s are lost and 4 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 18 MIA. Escorting

are 196 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 45-0-3 on the ground; 2

P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).

2. 717 of 756 B-17s hit the rail centre at Leipzig; 7 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17

is damaged beyond repair and 3 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA. The escort is 453 of 489 P-

51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 36-0-16 on the ground without loss.

3. 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.

4. 13 P-51s escort 2 F-5s and 2 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over C and E

Germany.

Mission 852: During the night of 27/28 Feb, 23 of 26 B-24s bomb Wilhelmshaven oil storage

by PFF without loss and 1 B-17 and 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany.

“8th’s Bombers Rip Leipzig Rail Hub,” on page 6 of the link.



february 1945 - rafcamuseum.co.uk

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