Squadron and group formation was good, although spread out on climb because of easing and slightly over SOP rate of climb. Wing formation was only fair, groups incessantly eased from CP #1 to about Pre-IP in attempting to get intervals.
ABORTIONS (INCLUDING A/C OVER TARGET AND NOT ATTACKING):
| A/C NBR |
SQ |
REMARKS |
PILOT |
SORTIE |
| 942 |
832 |
Blown gasket in vacuum pump caused loss of oil. |
DOLAN |
No |
| 023 |
832 |
Failure of prop governor. |
VANCE |
No |
MALFUNCTIONS:
| 615 |
835 |
Attacked target. Jettisoned 3 X 1,000 lb. bombs due to a faulty micro switch. |
BYRNES |
Yes |
EVALUATION OF LEAD CREWS (BY COMMAND PILOTS):
| PILOT |
REMARKS |
| MADDATZ |
Entire crew rated Sup. REMARKS: Very good job by entire crew. |
| HINZE |
Entire crew rated Ex. REMARKS: P - 100% improvement. Crew on the ball today. |
| MARTIN |
P, N, C/O, B/O rated Ex. B and N/O rated VS. REMARKS: P - Smooth conscientious pilot. B - Had difficulty with sight. C/O - Volunteers information. N/O - Gets fixes. Good coordination. |
| HEUSER |
Entire crew rated Ex. REMARKS: P - Flew smooth lead. B - Cooperate with crew at all times. B - Made smooth corrections on run. C/O - Keeps good watch on squadron. |
OFFICER TAIL GUNNER REPORTS:
| (Pilots receiving lower than average grades and why) |
| PILOT |
SQ |
GRADE |
REMARKS |
| MURPHY |
833 |
F |
Too far out. |
| STEVENSON |
835 |
F |
Fell back too far at times. |
| WALKUP |
835 |
F |
Lagged behind at times. |
| (Outstanding performances) |
| VANCE |
833 |
Ex |
Very close and well up. |
| GAY |
833 |
Ex |
Good position. |
| FRAWLEY |
833 |
Ex |
Very steady and well forward. |
| MENSON |
834 |
Ex |
Very smooth element lead. |
| SAULER |
834 |
Ex |
Very tight. |
| LILLY |
834 |
Sup |
Very tight. Constant position at all times. |
SUGGESTIONS AND REMARKS BY OTG'S: none
LOSSES: None.
III. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Wing ahead of us today, being about three (3) minutes late at CP #1, caused an unnecessary jamming of groups across the channel and during most of the route in. 4A was essing to get the Wing interval, which in turn caused each group to ess for group interval within the Wing.
Bomb results are generall good (visual runs) except for "A" squadron dropping over and "C" squadron flying echeloned off high squadrong becase of a bombsight malfunction and loss of deputy by battle damage over front lines. The "C" squadron bombardier attempted to equalize a slight time interval between the squadrons and dropped late, hitting about two (2) miles over the assigned MPI, but in abuilt up area. A/C 657 should definintely be test-hopped and checked completely. The bombardier, for some reason, could not get any stability in the bombsight, gyros refusing to erect preventing any synchronization. The #1, #2 and #4 engines were extremely rough and vibrated excessively. At altitude, it is not possible to draw high power as engines vibrate, RPM and NP oscillating severely.