After crossing the French coast, the lead "A" group flew one (1) minute in trail of "B" group to the IP, on course (or slightly to the left and parallel to it) all the way. The IP was reached at 1415 hours, and after a left turn and a six and one half (6½) minute bomb run, bombs were away on the assigned target.

The bombardier had trouble with his bombsight in that the aircraft would not respond to his right correction. Consequently, the heading into the target was not as briefed. A sharp right correction was made at the last minute, and the magnetic heading over the target turned out to be approximately 139 degrees; not 107 degrees as briefed. The order of groups over the target were 486B, 486A, and 390C.

After the bombing, briefed 1000 feet altitude was lost (by all groups) and the group passed directly over the RP at 1427 hours. It was then that partial wing assembly was effected as 486B group fell in trail and closed up into formation. The 390C group was too far behind, and it was not until the French coast was passed and a 360 degree turn made that they came into wing formation. The briefed route out had been followed with one exception, that being the overrunning of the turning point at 4847N, 0042E. This was to try to let the 390C group close up from behind. Briefed course out was picked up after "S"ing back in at 4901N, 0008E.

The French coast was departed at 1511 hours, 7 minutes late, but on course as followed across the channel to Selsey Bill, as let down to minimum altitude at altitude of 21,700 feet. It was then that the 360 degree turn, heretofore mentioned, was made to let the straggling "C" group catch up. Briefed course was being carried out. The English coast was crossed at 1546 hours, and the formation proceeded to base via Watford, arriving over the field at 1627 hours at altitude of 15,000 feet. Peel off was enacted, and landing for all nineteen (19) a/c was at 1632 - 1650 hours.

The formation, our first with B-17's, was good for "A" group. The formation of the wing was poor because the lead group had not made the time good at the rendezvous point, therefore causing difficulty in assembling.

Fighter support had been as briefed. They started at enemy coast, and covered the formation all the way in to enemy territory and out. Coverage was good.

2. Aircraft Not Attacking: There were twenty (20) a/c dispatched with 486A group. The airborne spare returned to the field, and the remaining nineteen (19) a/c continued to the target, all attacking. Sorties - 19

3. Lost Aircraft: None

486B Group

1. General Narrative: 486B Group scheduled nineteen (19) a/c as did "A" group, plus the one (1) airborne spare. Take-off was at 1005 - 1023 hours for the twenty (20) a/c, and climb to assembly altitude of 11,000 feet made under the same conditions as "A" group. The assembly (no difficulties encountered) was over Buncher #22, being completed at 1118 hours; and climb to wing assembly altitude began. Altitude of 19,000 feet was reached at 1201 hours. Having used Buncher #14 to climb on after Buncher #22 had ceased operating, the formation maneuvered and, after B-22 came back on, headed for the wing rendezvous point.

The formation ("B" group) arrived at this point, Buncher #22, at 1230½ hours, one-half (½) minute early. The 390th Group ("C" group) made their time good, and the two groups, B and C, headed out on course minus their lead group. "S" turns were made to allow the lead group to catch up, but this was unsuccessful as will be noted in the narrative of "A" group.

Because visual contact was in existence between "A" and "B" group the remainder of the route, refer to the above report of 486A group for a general narrative of the remainder of the mission. The two groups just couldn't seem to complete proper wing formation until after the bombing and rally. To improve this situation it is felt that when one group puts up two or more groups that they should assemble before approaching the wing assembly point and not be split to approach from different directions.

The formation flown by "B" group as a whole wasn't as good as that of "A" group. On the bomb run, however, it settled down and was observed to be pretty good.

Landing time: 1632 - 1656 hours.

2. Aircraft Not Attacking: There were twenty (20) a/c dispatched with "B" group. Three (3) a/c (#’s 908, 985, and 991) aborted early and returned to the field. The remaining seventeen (17), the airborne spare filled in a vacated position, continued and attacked the primary target. Sorties - 17.

3. Lost Aircraft: None.

RICHARD D. UHLE,
Major, Air Corps,
Operations Officer.