Mission 27

Mission Summaries > February 1944

TUESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 1944

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force):

HQ VIII Bomber Command is re-designated as HQ, Eighth Air Force.

Mission 230:

"Big Week" continues with 799 aircraft dispatched against German aviation and Luftwaffe airfields; 41 bombers and 11 fighters are lost.

289 B-17s are dispatched against aviation industry targets at Aschersleben (34 bomb), Bernburg (47 bomb) and Halberstadt (18 bomb) in conjunction with a Fifteenth Air Force raid on Regensburg, Germany; 32 hit Bunde, 19 hit Wernegerode, 15 hit Magdeburg, 9 hit Marburg and 7 hit other targets of opportunity; they claim 32-18-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 38 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 141 damaged; casualties are 35 KIA, 30 WIA and 367 MIA.

333 B-17s are dispatched to Schweinfurt but severe weather prevents aircraft from forming properly and they are forced to abandon the mission prior to crossing the enemy coast; 2 B-17s are damaged.

177 B-24s are dispatched but they are recalled when 100 miles (160 km) inland; since they were over Germany, they sought targets of opportunity but strong winds drove the bombers over The Netherlands and their bombs hit Enschede, Arnhem, Nijmegen and Deventer; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24s are lost and 3 damaged; casualties are 30 MIA.

These missions are escorted by 67 P-38s, 535 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s, and 57 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 6 are damaged; the P-47s claim 39-6-15 Luftwaffe aircraft, 8 P-47s are lost and 12 damaged, 8 pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 19-1-10 Luftwaffe aircraft, 3 P-51s are lost and 3 damaged, 3 pilot are MIA.

Target: Gotha, Germany - Goather Waggonfabrik A.G. Bf 110 Aircraft Factory
8th Air Force F.O. No:	230
Aircraft Taking Off:	27
Aircraft Dispatched:	21
Aircraft Recalled:	21
Aircraft Over Primary:	0
Aircraft Over Secondary:	0
Aircraft Over Last Resort:	2
Aircraft Bomb Load:	40 x 120 lb. AN-M86 Fragmentation bombs
Group Bomb Load:	840 x 120 lb. AN-M86 Fragmentation bombs
Results:	Mission recalled prior to target
Tactical Mission Report:	Mission Data: Date: 22 Feb 44 Primary Target: Gothaer Waggonfabrik A.G., Factory Airfield and German Airforce Station Secondary Target: German Airforce Station, Air Park, and Airdrome, Eschwege Last Resort Target: Any industrial objective positively identified in Germany that can be attacked without disrupting fighter support. Units Participating: 20th CBW (446th, 93rd, 448th BG) 2nd CBW (445th, 389th, 453rd BG) 14th CBW (44th, 392nd BG) 2nd Bomb Division - Narrative: This was planned as a visual mission against the aircraft assembly and component plants and two adjacent airfields at Gotha. The industrial installation was assigned to two Groups of the 14th Combat Wing and to three Groups of the 20th Combat Wing. The GAF airfield and the factory airfield were assigned to three Groups of the 2nd Combat Wing. Four Groups of P-47's furnished fighter support. Assemblies were accomplished with a great deal of difficulty because of heavy cloud layers and intermittent snow storms, which extended to assembly altitudes and out along our course as far as the Dutch coast. As a result, the formations became strung out with sections and individual aircraft losing contact with the formation and abandoning the mission. In view of this situation, the Division was recalled. Two Combat Wings returned with their bombs. The 20th Combat Wing was approximately forty (40) miles past the Dutch border in Germany and a decision was made to bomb German last resort targets and Groups uncovered for their bomb runs. At the time of this maneuver there was a 90 knot wind aloft with a consequent strong westward drift (090 degrees at 90 kts.). Failing to make allowance for this strong drift westward and because of the necessity for chanding headings to avoid other Group bombing at the same level, the towns of Enschede, Arnham, Nijmegan, and Deventer in Holland were mistaken for last resort targets in Germany and bombed. Meager to moderate and accurate gunfire (flak) was encountered enroute and in the area of recall. Approximately thirty (30) enemy fighters were seen with three Groups reporting attacks. Losses were three B-24's, two to enemy fighters and one to anti-aircraft fire. 445th - Assembly: First ship took off at 09:15. Group assembly which was visual was accomplished as scheduled at 12,000 feet. Components of the 389th and 453rd fell into Wing formation behind us over Buncher #6 by 10:36. We joined the Division at Splasher #6 at 10:45 on time but were unable to place out Wing in proper position to the left of the 446th Group because of haze & condensation trails which, for long periods of time, completely obscured all other planes from view. In an attempt to regain proper position, we passed South of Buncher #5 at 10:55 - one minute late and were still to the right of Splasher #5 at 11:10 - 3 minutes behind schedule. 445th - The Climb: The climb started at 11:10 from 12,000 ft and continued to 20,000 ft in order to escape the very persistent con-trails of preceeding planes. Flight was actually under near-instrument conditions until 11:45 in sight of the Dutch Coast. Groups reformed quickly at 19,000 ft. but the 2nd C.W. remained in trail of the leading Wing because the lead Group flew left of briefed route, drawing anti-aircraft fire from Rotterdam and Dordrecht, at 51-44N 03-51E was made at 12:00 - 8 minutes late. 445th - Navigation: At 12:27, while climbing through 18,500 ft., the lead ship aborted and the Deputy Lead moved up at 12:55. Flak was observed from the Ruhr on the right. 445th - Recall Notification: Recall notice first received at 12:48 and was verified at 13:00, 51-51N 06-52E. Division Lead executed two 360 degree turns to the left and at 13:21 set a course back from 52-20N 06-20E. Course was altered from 240 degrees to 270 degrees at 13:40, 51-50N 04-35E. 445th - Bomb Run: 2 aircraft bombed targets of opportunity as a part of the 446th Bomb Gp and the 93rd Bomb Gp. All other aircraft did not attack. 445th - Return: Departed enemy coast 51-50N 03-55E as 13:45, starting a letdown from 18,000 feet. The English coast was crossed one mile right of Clacton as of 14:09 at 5,000 feet. Over Tibenham at 14:26, landed from 14:40 to 15:16. 445th - Enemy Aircraft: None. 445th - Fighter Support: Excellent. 445th - Flak: A meager and inaccurate amount of flak was seen over the enemy coast.
Losses: None.
Note: None.

Gotha, Germany - Goather Wagenwerke Bf 110 Airframes and Engine Assembly Plant