Mission

Fortresses from the 303rd BG(H) hit the enemy near the front lines as they flew support for ground troops at Weisweiler, near Metz. Only meager to moderate and inaccurate flak and no enemy fighters were observed during this uneventful mission. Very good area support was provided by P-51s. No aircraft returned early.

Thirty-nine aircraft of the 41st CBW-B Group dropped 1,151 260-lb. M81 fragmentation bombs from 22,400, 21,400 and 20,600 feet. Twelve aircraft of the 41st CBW-D low Squadron dropped 112 fragmentation bombs, as did four 303rd BG(H) aircraft loaned to other Groups.

Visibility in the target area was hindered by 7/10 to 10/10 low clouds with tops at 12,000 to 15,000 feet and heavy ground haze. The lead Squadron, making its second bomb run after its GEE-H equipment malfunctioned, bombed on another Group, believed to have been the 457BG. Bombs hit about one mile over the target. The high Squadron bombed visually on its third bomb run. Bombs hit about 4,300 feet east of the MPI. The low Squadrons of the 41st CBS "B" and "D" Groups bombed with GEE-H equipment and results were believed good. The Group shifted to Tilstock for landing due to weather.

Thirty-one returning aircraft were diverted to RAF Satellite Station Sleep. 2Lt. C.J. Gates was the 28th B-17 to land in #43-38878 358BS. He overshot the runway as the right aircraft tire blew when braking action was applied. This created an obstruction at the end of the runway. 1Lt. George C. Newton was the 30th B-17 to land in #42-97281 Queenie 427BS. He landed long and failed in a Ground Loop attempt. The right wing hit the left wing of the parked B-17 #43-38878.

More info on this mission at the 303BG website

56 aircraft assigned to this mission: Completed Mission - 50. Failed To Return - 1. Scrubbed - 3. Returned To Base - 1. Ground Spare, Unused - 1.

48 a/c land away because of weather, mostly at Straford.
44-6512 Springsted, Donald George - Failed to Return Hot camera ship; MIA; aircraft received a direct flak burst in #3 engine from 'inaccurate' flak over target, setting it afire at 1205 hrs; six chutes observed; aircraft crash landed at Tongres, Bel, with injured pilot and engineer, and dead co-pilot; MACR 10448

34 A/C from the 388th were airborne between 0720 and 0814 hours. 2 of our a/c returned early due to mechanical troubles. Formations were effected without difficulty and the briefed route to the Target was followed. The Target was German troop concentration (anti personnel bombs). Bombing was accomplished by Micro-H and visual means in Group formation. Because of technical trouble, the deputy lead made the bomb run. Bombs were away at 1130 hours from 23,000 feet. Strike photos show very good results, and a letter from General Hodges later confirmed this. There was meager but accurate flak in the Target area. No a/c were lost but 3 received major flak damage, and 7 minor flak damage.

Weather conditions at the base made of our returning a/c land at different bases.

The target was gun and enemy emplacements near the German town of Eschweiler, three miles inside the front line boundaries. Bombing was done by means of Gee-H because of 6/10 to 10/10th's cloud cover over the target area. Results were unobserved, but believed to be good. The 401st furnished the 94th "C" Group, led by Major E.T. de Jonckheere, flying with Capt. Tom Cushman. The High and Low Squadron Leaders were furnished by the 615th Squadron - led by 1st Lt. B.C. Konze and 1st Lt. N.J. Kochel. This turned out to be the second "milk run" in a row with no sign of the Luftwaffe and very little flak. A few ground rockets were seen in the target area. The eleven crews of the 615th on this mission were: 43-38077 Haskett, 43-38779 Djernes, 43-38810 Calloway, 42-31485 McKay, 42-31730 Sombart, 43-38425 Udy, 43-38458 Hansen, 44-8258 Kochel, 43-37551 Maloney, 42-97664 Maire, 44-6152 Konze.