Official 398th Mission Narratives
16 August 1944
Airfield at Delitzsch, Germany
HEADQUARTERS 398TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (K-B-1)
Office of the Operations Officer
APO 557, U.S. Army
17 August, 1944
SUBJECT: Operations Officer’s Report of Mission 16, 1944
TO: Commanding General, First Bombardment Division, APO 557
Commanding General, 1st Combat Wing, APO 557
1. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
A. Data:
| (1) Date of Mission: |
15 August 1944. |
| (2) Target Assigned: |
A/F Delitzsch, Germany |
| (3) Target Attacked: |
A/F Delitzsch, Germany |
| (4) Units Paticipating: |
35 A/C of this group plus one PFF of this group and one PFF from 91st Group formed the 1st "A" CBW. |
| (5) Returned Early: |
43-38075, 43-38172 |
| (6) Failed to Take-off: |
0 |
| (7) Lost: |
None. |
2. NARRATIVE:
Lead Group 1st "A" CBW [600th]
The take-off was normal. Assembly was normal except that the visibility to the south of the assembly buncher was not good, and it was difficult for incoming airplanes to pickup the wing formation. This condition necessitated an extra circle around the buncher which made the wing six (6) minutes late in leaving "A" and disrupted the order of the wings on the first CBW. This wing arrived at control point No. 1 on time, but the second wing of the 1st CBW was early and was ahead. It would have been possible to correct this, out of order, and control point No. 1, or while crossing the North [Sea] if the wing ahead had been in formation. The wing of the 2nd wing of the 1st CBW was straddling to such an extent that was not possible for this wing to get into proper position.
The flight to the target was as briefed. Some flak was encountered en route but it was possible to circumvent these areas which were not large. The wing behind this one was hit by enemy fighters, and lost several airplanes.
Bombing was visual and results are believed to be good. This wing was bombing with incendiary bombs which were difficult to spot.
Flak over the target was moderate.
Twenty to Thirty enemy fighters were seen attacking the wing behind this one. Friendly cover engaged them. Friendly fighter cover for this wing was good.
Route back was as briefed and was without incident.
The division assembly and formation was fair on the route in, but excellent on the withdrawal.
High Group 1st "A" CBW [601st]
Assembly of this formation was good.
The route in was normal and flown as briefed. Bombing was visual and by groups, but due to smoke was unobserved.
Weather at the target was excellent.
Enemy fighters were not encountered by this group but were seen to attack the wing following this box.
Flak was moderate but inaccurate. The route out was flown as briefed with no unusual encounters. One A/C [Aircraft] aborted over Holland due to an oxygen leak.
No aircraft are missing.
No personnel was wounded.
Low Group 1st "A" CBW [603rd]
Assembly was normal except that deputy lead failed to join.
The lead A/C of the high element was called down to act as a deputy lead. The route in was normal except that this group could not turn at the IP because another group was in the way.
Bombing was visual by groups. Results were believed to be good. Flak was intense both to the right and left on the run but this group seemed to move down a clear corridor.
The route out was as briefed.
There were fighters in the area and the groups behind this one lost seven aircraft because of them.
Weather was better than was briefed.
Returned Early:
43-38075 - Took off but returned immediately to home field to replace a faulty oxygen mask. On landing, unstowed ball turret was damaged and A/C was unable to take-off again. Not a sortie.
43-38172 - Returned to home field due to loss of oxygen. Not a sortie.
JEAN B. MILLER,
Major, Air Corps,
Operations Officer
398th History CD File: B0482e.pdf
PDF Page: 3, 4
Numbered Page: 2186, 2187
Transcribed by: Ann Collins and Dave Jordan, Oct. 2003
HEADQUARTERS 398TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), AAF
Office of the Group Bombardier
APO 557
16 August, 1944
SUBJECT: Lead Bombardier’s Narrative, Mission 16th August, 1944, Lead Group (600th Squadron)
TO: Commanding Officer, 398th Bombardment Group (H), AAF, APO 557, Station 131
1. Target - Airfield at Delitzsch, Germany the primary target was bombed as briefed. Length of bomb run was 4 minutes on a magnetic heading of 265 degrees; IAS 150 mph; indicated altitude 26,000 ft; bombs dropped on Group Leader at 1103.
2. Main Bombfall: 11 A/C of the 398th Lead Group dropped 110 x 500 lb M17 Incendiary bombs. One (1) of the A/C could not find the formation and dropped their bombs with the 40th Wing, 305th Group. 10 x 500 lb M17 IB were dropped 51 degrees 05’ N 12 degrees 20’ W. Fuse setting: M127 nose, no tail.
3. Allen, D.B., 1st Lt., was the lead bombardier for the Lead Group. C-1 pilot was used and operated correctly. Target was identified 3 to 5 minutes before release. Turn at IP was moderate. Primary target was bombed as briefed.
TABULAR SUMMARY
|
-
|
A/C on Target
|
Bombing
|
Number of Bombs
|
| Main Bombfall |
10
|
10
|
100 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail
|
| Other Attacks |
1
|
1
|
10 x 500 lb
M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Total on Target |
|
|
110 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Bombs Returned |
|
|
0 |
| Others Expended |
|
|
0 |
| Total (Loaded on A/C at T.O.) |
|
|
110 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
Carl J. Strickrott,
Capt., Air Corps,
Group Bombardier
398th History CD File: B0482e.pdf
PDF Page(s): 33
Numbered Page(s): 2216
Transcribed by: Ann Collins, Oct. 2003
HEADQUARTERS 398TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), AAF
Office of the Group Bombardier
APO 557
16 August, 1944
SUBJECT: Lead Bombardier’s Narrative, Mission 16 August, 1944, High Group (601st Squadron)
TO: Commanding Officer, 398th Bombardment Group (H), AAF, APO 557, Station 131
1. Target - Airfield at Delitzsch, Germany the primary target was not bombed as briefed. This was due to accidental release. Length of bomb run was about 4 minutes on a magnetic heading of 300 degrees; IAS 150 mph; indicated altitude was 26,500 ft; bombs dropped on Group Leader at 1104.
2. Main Bombfall: 12 A/C in the 398th Group High Group dropped 119 x 500 lb M17 Incendiary bombs. One (1) of the A/C returned 1 x 500 lb M17 IB due to shackle and release malfunction. One (1) aborted due to oxygen failure and returned 10 x 500 lb M17 IB. Fuse setting: M127 nose, no tail.
3. Baxter, M.V., 1st Lt., was the lead bombardier for the High Group. No difficulties were encountered on the bomb run. C-1 pilot was used and operated correctly. No difficulty in identifying target. Turn at IP was 90 degrees. Primary target was not bombed due to accidental release. Accidental release was caused by having trigger locked up and, when attempting to locate target through sight, indices were brought together causing accidental bomb release about one mile short.
TABULAR SUMMARY
|
-
|
A/C on Target
|
Bombing
|
Number of Bombs
|
| Main Bombfall |
12
|
12
|
119 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail
|
| Other Attacks |
0
|
0
|
0 |
| Total on Target |
12
|
12
|
119 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Bombs Returned |
|
|
11 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Others Expended |
|
|
0 |
| Total (Loaded on A/C at T.O.) |
|
|
130 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
Carl J. Strickrott,
Capt., Air Corps,
Group Bombardier
398th History CD File: B0482e.pdf
PDF Page(s): 35
Numbered Page(s): 2218
Transcribed by: Ann Collins, Oct. 2003
HEADQUARTERS 398TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), AAF
Office of the Group Bombardier
APO 557
16 August, 1944
SUBJECT: Lead Bombardier’s Narrative, Mission 16 August, 1944, Low Group (603rd Squadron)
TO: Commanding Officer, 398th Bombardment Group (H), AAF, APO 557, Station 131
1. Target - Airfield at Delitzsch, Germany the primary target was bombed as briefed. Length of bomb run was 2 minutes on a magnetic heading of 270 degrees; IAS 150 mph; indicated altitude 25,500 ft; bombs dropped on Group Leader at 1104.
2. Main Bombfall: 11 A/C in the 398th Low Group dropped 110 x 500 lb M17 Incendiary bombs. One (1) of the A/C attacked another target due to engine trouble. One of the A/C attacked another target due to number 4 supercharger. One of the targets was Ofnabruck, Germany and the coordinates of the other was 53 degrees 37’ N 06 degrees 53’ E. Fuse setting: M127 nose and no tail. One (1) A/C aborted due to personnel failure and returned 10 x 500 lb M17 IB.
3. Waldbauer, C.A., 1st Lt., was the lead bombardier for the Low Group. There were no difficulties encountered on the bomb run. The C-1 pilot was used and operated correctly. The AP was difficult to identify on the bombing run due to a heavy smoke covering on target due to previous Wings. Turn at IP was moderate. The primary target was bombed as briefed.
TABULAR SUMMARY
|
-
|
A/C on Target
|
Bombing
|
Number of Bombs
|
| Main Bombfall |
9
|
9
|
90 x 500 lb
M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Other Attacks |
2
|
2
|
20 x 500 lb
M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Total on Target |
11
|
11
|
110 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Bombs Returned |
|
|
10 x 500 lb
M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
| Others Expended |
|
|
0 |
| Total (Loaded on A/C at T.O.) |
|
|
120 x 500 lb M17 IB
M127 nose, no tail |
Carl J. Strickrott,
Capt., Air Corps,
Group Bombardier
398th History CD File: B0482e.pdf
PDF Page(s): 37
Numbered Page(s): 2220
Transcribed by: Ann Collins, Oct. 2003
Notes:
- The above document was transcribed from the Statistical History of the 398th Bomb Group which are available in the 398th PX. The transcription is as accurate as possible. It should be recognized that the some documents in the files are faded and sometimes difficult to read.
- This transcription is a reproduction of the original. Spelling and punctuation changes have been made to improve readability. In some circumstances, material may not have been transcribed or was rewritten.
- Clarification of acronyms or special words or guesses of certain words and added words are shown in brackets [ ].
- It should be recognized that the format and layout of the material may be different than the original. This is primarily due to the format constraints of web pages.
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