SUBJECT: Results of Bombing of M/Y at Holzwickede, Germany, on 23 March 1945.
TO : Commanding Officer, 486th Bombardment Group (H).
"A", "B" and "D" squadrons dropped patterns, on or near the target, which can be located but are so obscured by smoke that they cannot be measured or plotted.
"A" squadron dropped a long pattern across the yard at a point approximately 3200' SW 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 a 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 a MPI. The pattern cannot be plotted because of obscuring smoke, however, a large portion of the pattern fell squarely across the yard. The pattern is scored as follows:
Radial error - 550'
Range - 200' short
Deflection - 480' right
For the Intelligence Officer:
RALPH D. SHEARER
Capt., Air Corps,
Ass't. S-2; P.I. Officer.