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Mission Commentary

MISSION #11
(Frankfurt)

     Between the hours of 0721 and 0745, 29 January 1944, 31 A/C of the 447th Bombardment Group (H), "A" group, took off. The Group made a standard bad weather assembly over Splasher 7 without incident. The 447th "A" group was leading the 4th "B" wing. The 447th "B" made rendezvous with the 447th "A" at Splasher 7 and the 2 Groups then proceeded to the Wing assembly as briefed and on time. However the 385th "B" Group did not make Wing assembly. 
     The 447th "A" Group had 5 planes abort: Lt. Morley, pilot of A/C 227, due to a fire in #3 engine. On returning, Lt. Morley gave the order to abandon ship thinking he was over England. The Navigator and Bombardier parachuted successfully, however they landed in the North Sea and have not been reported as yet. Immediately after giving the order to abandon ship the #3 propeller left the ship and the fire went out and as the pilot regained control of the ship, he stopped the other crew members from jumping. The emergency IFF was on at the time and a message was sent to the base MF/DF station. ASR was advised immediately. Lt. Hopla, pilot of A/C 095 returned to base with one engine feathered due to low oil pressure. Lt. Marcy, pilot of A/C 052, became ill immediately after take-off and returned to base. 
      Heavy inaccurate (6 O'clock) low flak was encountered in the target area. No enemy fighters were seen. Friendly fighter support was present throughout the mission. There were no losses in this group. Bombing was by PFF through 10/10 solid undercast. Target believed to be hit. First ships over enemy coast were met by a B-17 coming out of Germany 5000 feet below our formation and continued easterly. On return to Eng1and it was thought there might be an intruder in the formation so all guns sere manned thru landing. It was noticed that German jamming of our splashers was particularly effective.

     Between the hours of 0650, and 0715 on the 29 January 1944, 21 A/C of the 447th Bomb Gp, "B" group, took off. Group made standard bad weather assembly without incidents. The 447th "B" group joined the 447th "A" group over splasher 7 at 0800; the 447th "B" group took position of high group on the wing lead group (447th "A"). Just after making landfall at the enemy coast the 447th "B" group moved into the low position as the 385th "B" group had not made rendezvous with the 4th "B" Wing. The 447th "B" group had 6 A/C abort; Lt. Pauling pilot of 127 returned due to #2 engine failure. Lt. Lewis, pilot of A/C 100 returned due to excessive fuel pressure in #1 engine. Lt. Gruber, pilot of 882 returned due to an oxygen failure. Lt. Greenwell, pilot of 530 returned after failure of #3 engine due to high fuel pressure, low oil pressure, and high cylinder head temperature. Lt. Kruezer, pilot of 188 returned early because BTG became unconscious due to oxygen failure. Could not revive him at altitude. Lt. Leach, pilot of 497 returned due to failure, of #3 engine. 
     Heavy, inaccurate (6 O'clock) flak was encountered at the target area. No enemy fighters seen. A/C 108, pilot Lt. Allen, left formation immediately after bombs away. Plane was under control and believed to have had an oxygen failure. Friendly fighters gave support until the bomber was lost by the formation. Reports use of carpet and window opportunity very effective. 3 ME109's fired rockets at formation from 9 O'clock. Rockets fell short. 3 JU88's observed but made no pass.

NO STRIKE PHOTO AVAILABLE

LEAD

HIGH

LOW

A Group Spares

B GROUP
LEAD

HIGH

LOW

B Group Spares 

Notes:

Originally, Milton A. Esterline was supposed to be the 2nd element lead in the high squadron in 42-31191 (710th), but was not able to get airborne. Charles H. Marcy replaced him.  P. W. Johnson (709th) in 42-37842 (711th) was to fly in the #6 slot in the low squadron, but for some reason he could not take off and was replaced by Howard S. Pauling.

No./Type

Tons

K

W

M

Maj.

Min.

Briefed at 0300 hrs. Target Frankfurt. Carried 10-500 lb HE's. Flew Lt. Johnson's 148 "Morning Star." Lead second element low squadron. Lead of Wing today at 24,000 ft. No fighter opposition - saw a few enemy interceptors - kept their distance. Fighter cover good. Flak moderate over target. No battle damage except one hole in bomb bay. 7 hr. mission -4 1/2 hrs. on oxygen -3 hrs. over enemy territory. Not too rough - Air Medal today - 5 out of 7.

Harris + I got up at 7:45, went down to the middle town to do a bit of final shopping: buying some wine, a pillow. We got to talking to a civilian who said the Forts had been going up all morning from 630. We got the radio and got down to the station at 9:15. Mac + the rest showed up at 10, the train left at 10:15 with us standing up. The officers of the crew were on the same train. After a 15 minute run we got to Stowmarket, went to our tea room + had tea + cakes. This time it was on Mamlock. We got rides out to camp at different times. I came out with H.E.M. + McGurer. The radio works very well. Jimmy Boyd went on the raid + says it was to Frankfurt, a milk run, some flak good fighter protection. Bombed thro clouds at 24 thous. saw smoke come thro clouds that were at 10,000. B-9. No alert as yet.