Mission 2

Mission Summaries > Decenber 1943

THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1943
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force):

2 missions are flown:

Mission 156:

The port area at Bremen, Germany is the target. 402 of 479 B-17's, 133 of 141 B-24's and 10 of 11 PFF aircraft hit the target at 1309-1322 hours; they claim 18-11-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 B-17's are lost; 2 B-17's and 2 B-24's are damaged beyond repair; 128 B-17's, 22 B-24's and 5 PFF aircraft are damaged; casualties are 6 KIA, 8 WIA and 104 MIA. The mission is escorted by 31 P-38's, 131 P-47's and 39 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 1 MIA.

Mission 157:

4 B-17's drop 1.952 million leaflets over Hanover, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; and Lille, France at 1903-1943 hours; no losses or casualties.

Target: Bremen, Germany - Port Area, Docks and Shipyards
8th Bomber Cmd F.O. No:	156
Aircraft Taking Off:	24
Aircraft Dispatched:	24
Aircraft Aborts:	0
Aircraft Over Primary:	24
Aircraft Over Secondary:	0
Aircraft Over Last Resort:	0
Aircraft Bomb Load:	8 x 500 lb. AN-M43 General Purpose bombs 16 x 100 lb. AN-M41 Incendiary bombs
Group Bomb Load:	192 x 500 lb. AN-M43 General Purpose bombs 384 x 100 lb. AN-M41 Incendiary bombs
Results:	Unobserved due to cloud cover
Tactical Mission Report:	Mission Data: Date: Primary Target: Secondary Target: Last Resort Target: Units Participating: Narrative: It was planned to bomb on the Pathfinder flares of the preceeding B-17's of 3rd Division at an altitude of 23,000 feet and a heading of 226°. The 3rd Division led the 2nd Division to the target on a heading slightly off the briefed heading but at the correct altitude. The maneuver at the I.P. was as briefed. The bomb run was relatively short and only moderate evasive action was taken. The Group leader dropped on the Pathfinder flares and the ships within the Groups dropped on their leaders. Group carrying a mixed load delayed six seconds after dropping GP's before releasing incendiaries. Crew members observed 2 flashes of fire and large columns of black smoke billowing up through the clouds after they turned away from the target. The tops of the clouds in the target area were reported to be between3,000 and 4,000 feet. Flak along the approach to the target was moderate and inaccurate. After turning onto the bomb run, gunfire was encountered which was at first meager, predictor controlled inaccurate and on continuing to the target became very intense and accurate barrage fire. Some rockets were seen, but for the most part were very inaccurate. Gunfire during the return route was generally meager, inaccurate predictor controlled fire. Enemy fighter opposition was slight. Groups reported up to 20 enemy aircraft, consisting of Fw 190's, Ju 88's, Bf 109's, and Me 210's. Some night fighters of each type were seen, but no rocket-carrying aircraft were observed. No claims were made.
Losses: None
Note: The 445th Group battle damage report showed 10 aircraft as Cat A damage, 1 aircraft as Cat AC damage and none reported as Cat B or Cat E damaged.

Bremen Port Area, Docks and Shipyard