CLIMB TO ALTITUDE (ROUTE IN):
The bombsight in the lead a/c of the low swuadron would not track, making synchronization impossible. The deputy lead a/c, notified to take over at Pre-IP, was forced to abort prior to this point because of battle damage received over the front lines. Thus, at the Pre-IP, the low squadron was without a bombsight, necessitating echelonging off hight.
TARGET MANEUVER:
The lead squadron turned about two (2) miles short of the briefed IP and made the run with no difficulty. 486B and C squadrons followed, and at bombs away in the high squadron, the lead had fallen behind slightly. The bombardier attempted to release on the smoke markers and delayed release too long, causing the bombs to fall considerably over the target. Otherwise, good visual runs were made by the squadrons on the primary target.
TARGET ATTACKED: (P) M/Y - Holzwickede, Germany.
TYPE OF BOMBING: Visual (sq formation) TIME OF RELEASE: 1334½ - 1336
NBR A/C OVER TARGET: 40 OUT OF 42 (TAKING OFF)
NBR A/C ATTACKING: 40 NUMBER OF SORTIES CREDITED 42
DISPOSITION OF BOMBS:
Primary Target:
M/Y - Holzwickede, Germany.
Total Bombs Jettisoned
Total Bombs Returned to Base
Total Bombs Loaded on a/c T.G.
219X1000 lb. M-44 102x100 lb. M-30 6x500 lb.
009X1000 lb. M-44
006X1000 lb. M-44
234X1000 lb. M-44 102X100 lb. M-30 6X500 lb.
BOMBING RESULTS:
"A" squadron dropped a long pattern across the yard at a point approximately 1,200' SE of the MPI. This pattern extends well over the M/Y but the short end is well on the yard.
"B" squadron dropped a pattern squarely on the assigned MPI. Range, deflection and radial errors are considered as zero. However, the total pattern cannot be seen; consequently, it cannot be plotted.
"C" squadron dropped a compact pattern on the edge of the built up area, 11,000' over the assigned MPI.
"D" squadron could not pick up the assigned MPI because of smoke. They selected the highway underpass at the southwest end of the yard as an MPI. The pattern cannot be plotted becasuse of obscuring smoke. However, a large portion of the pattern fell squarley across the yard. The pattern is scored as following.
Radial error - 550'
Range - 200' short
Deflection - 480' right
RALLY AND ROUTE BACK:
Rally was excellent, as squadrons were back in group formation before the RP, all losing 1,000' after bombs away. Withdrawal was approximately as briefed, courses and descents being made as planned. Descent to minimum altitude from 20,000' was started at the battle lines. The English coast was reached at 1458 hours at 2,000'.
RETURN TO BASE AT 1555-1617
PFF OPERATIONS:
(R/N HUMPHRIES - a/c 073 - Lead "A" sq) "Set operation was fair. The inverters were not steady and focus was only fair. The entire mission was visual. Fixes were taken to check the course and read "A" scopoe ddrife to obtain accurate winds."
(R/N LACY - a/c 035 - Lead "B" sq) "Set operation was fair until altitude was reached. The returns were very weak and definition was poor. The entire mission was visual but fixes were taken to check the cours eand obtain correct winds."
(R/N HARPER - a/c 657 - "C" sq) "Set operation was good. Checked the course with fixes. The rate checks were called because the entire run was visual.
(R/N CALDWELL - a/c 132 - Lead "D" sq) "Set was good until the continent was reached. The range unit became inoperative and the returns could be received on H2X. The run was visual and no rate checks were called.
WEATHER:
The weather was clear at take-off and through the entire mission except for a slight haze in the target area.