Mission

Thirty-nine dispatched aircraft targeted a railroad bridge at Mannheim by visual, GH or PFF means. The mission proved to be one of the 303rd BG(H)'s costliest and roughest missions. Jigger Rooche II #43-38248, 427BS (Lt. Ayers), returned early due to mechanical problems and was diverted to Eye (490BG).

In the target area there were 5/10 low clouds with tops at 6,000 feet and moderate, persistent contrails above 19,000 feet. The target was attacked visually by the lead Squadron. The low Squadron bombed off the lead in Group formation. The high Squadron bombed PFF. Photos showed bomb hits close to the bridge, but due to smoke and clouds, it was impossible to tell if there were any direct hits on the bridge. The low Squadron bombs hit in a marshalling yard at the end of the bridge. The high Squadron results were unobserved. Ten leaflet units and 201 1,000-lb. H.E. M44 bombs were dropped from 24,350, 24,100 and 24,800 feet.

There was no enemy air opposition. Support by 77 P-51s was good. Moderate and accurate flak was encountered crossing the Rhine River just north of

Strasbourg on the route into the target. Moderate to intense and very accurate fire appeared at the target. Chaff had no effect and the good weather benefitted the German flak gunners. Fourteen Group aircraft sustained major battle damage and seven, minor damage.

Three 427BS aircraft were missing in action. #43- 38689 (No Name), 427BS, piloted by 2Lt. Oliver T. Eisenhart, received a direct flak hit in the tail that blew off the horizontal stabilizer and pulverized the whole tail. The aircraft started down in a steep dive, then broke up in the air. The aircraft crashed at Roxheim, Germany.

#44-6166 The Red, 427BS, piloted by 1Lt. Jack W. Rose, received a direct flak hit in the Nos. 3 and 4 engines which caught fire. After losing considerable altitude, the entire crew bailed out at 20,000 feet, after which the aircraft crashed at Pirmasens, Germany.

#42-107099 Old 99, 427BS, piloted by Capt. Martin S. McGinnis, was hit by flak just after bombs were released over the target. The Tail Gunner and Pilot were wounded. Another flak hit, setting the #4 engine on fire and Old 99 lagged behind the formation. The wounded Capt. McGinnis gave the bail out order and was assisted out of the B-17 by S/Sgt. Robert J. Lyons. The remainder of the crew bailed out with Co-pilot 2Lt. Frederick C. Doscher at the controls. The aircraft crashed in the Mannheim, Germany area.

All other 303rd BG(H) aircraft returned to England. Due to bad weather conditions at Molesworth, the aircraft were diverted to RAF Station Manston for landing. This mission proved to be very damaging to the 303rd BG(H).

More info on this mission at the 303BG website

The 388th furnished the lead and low Groups plus the lead element of the high Group. A/C from the 96th Bomb Group fill in the rest of the high Group.

33 a/c plus 3 PFF a/c took-off between 0815 and 0927 hours and no one aborted. Formations were effected and the briefed route to the target was followed. The primary target, which was the marshalling yards at Bischofsheim, was attacked visually by Groups at 1308 hours from 25,600 feet. On the bomb run, our low group bombardier was knocked from his sight by flak and the gyro was tumbled. Their bombs were slightly to the left of the target. The high Group bombs cut the railroad lines northwest of the marshalling yards. Flak over the target was accurate, being moderate to intense barrage type.

All a/c but two returned to base by 1630 hours. One a/c made an emergency landing at Eye and one landed in France.

The lead a/c took-off late and joined the formation at Ostend, falling in the deputy lead's position. The deputy leader retained the lead.

30 planes bombed a rail bridge with very good results.