Mission 66

Mission Summaries > May 1944

TUESDAY, 2 MAY 1944

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force):

Mission 335:

50 of 50 B-24s bomb V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France without loss; escort is provided by 50 P-47s and 52 P-51s.

Note: The 445th Bomb Group sent 15 B-24, each carrying 8 1000# M-44 General Purpose bombs, to hit the V-1 rocket launch site at Siracourt, France.

Target: Siracourt, France - V-1 Rocket Launch Site (NOBALL)
8th Air Force Mission No:	335
Aircraft Taking Off:	16
Aircraft Dispatched:	15
Aircraft Aborts:	0
Aircraft Over Primary:	15
Aircraft Over Secondary:	0
Aircraft Over Last Resort:	0
Aircraft Bomb Load:	8 x 1,000 lb. AN-M44 General Purpose bombs
Group Bomb Load:	120 x 1,000 lb. AN-M44 General Purpose bombs
Results:	Unobserved due to cloud cover
Tactical Mission Report:	445th Bomb Group Mission Report 1. Aircraft Scheduled------------------------16 Aircraft Airborne---------------------------16 Aircraft Dispatched------------------------15 Aircraft Not Dispatched-------------------1 Aircraft Aborts------------------------------0 Aircraft Over Target----------------------15 Aircraft Returned--------------------------15 2. Assembly - The 2BD Instrument Take-off Plan was in effect and we took off from Hardwick in the GH ship and climbed to 15,000 feet over Buncher #6. The clouds were about 6 to 8 tenths and dense contrails were formed, although flares were fired and VHF used. Two ships were all that formed with my ship. We were in trail with the 453rd Group and departed Buncher #6 at 20,000 feet on time and in formation. At Splacher #8 our second squadron fell in with 15 ships. I joined up and led a one squadron formation over the target. 3. Route - Was flown as briefed. 4. Flak - No flak encountered enroute; meager at target. 5. Enemy Fighters - None encountered. 6. Fighter Support - Excellent.
Losses: None.
Note: None.

Siracourt, France - V-1 Rocket Launch Site (NOBALL)