70 years ago today 2 November 1944 - From the 8th AF Historical Society database and The Mighty Eighth War Diary by Roger A. Freeman. Mission 698: 1,174 bombers and 968 fighters are dispatched in 5 forces to make PFF attacks on synthetic oil installations in central Germany and rail targets at Bielefeld; in all 2,648 tons of bombs were dropped; 40 bombers and 15 fighters are lost. This was the first major effort by the Luftwaffe to oppose 8AF missions since early September with 400 e/a in action, with 135 claimed by escorting fighters. Lt. R.E. Femoyer, 3BD, 447BG awarded Medal of Honor for action this day. 1. 460 B-17s of 3BD are dispatched to hit the Leuna synthetic oil refinery at Merseberg (383). 13 strike Wolfenbuttel, 23 hit Halle and 17 hit targets of opportunity in the area.12 B-17s are lost. Gunners claim 6 - 2 - 2. 433 P-51s and 34 (9th AF) P-38s escort the 3BD, with the P-51s shooting down 26 e/a, losing 8. The P-38s claim 48 e/a destroyed. Bomb Groups participating (losses) – All 3BD except 490BG (losses); 34BG (1 a/c), 94BG (1 a/c), 100BG, 385BG (1 a/c), 388BG, 390BG, 447BG (5 a/c), 452BG, 486BG (2 a/c), 487BG, 493BG (1 a/c), 95BG (1 a/c), 96BG. 2. 233 B-17s of 1BD are dispatched to Leuna synthetic oil refinery at Merseberg (210); 5 hit T/Os in the area. 26 are lost, with B-17 gunners claiming 30 - 23 - 25. 209 P-51s escort this force, shooting down 46 e/a, with 6 lost. Bomb Groups participating (losses) – 305BG, 306BG, 398BG (3 a/c), 401BG (1 a/c), 457BG (9 a/c), 91BG (13 a/c), 92BG. Heavy losses by 457BG and 91BG due to no escorts immediately on hand. 3. 191 of 208 2BD B-24s dispatched hit Bielefeld viaduct bridge and rail yards with no losses. They were escorted by 143 P-47s which claimed no e/a destroyed, but lost 2 a/c. Bomb Groups participating – 93BG, 448BG, 467BG, 489BG, 491BG. 4. 131 of 146 2BD B-24s dispatched hit oil industry targets in Castrop/Rauxel, losing 1 a/c. 37 escorting P-47s claimed no e/a. Bomb Groups participating (losses) – 44BG, 389BG, 392BG, 446BG, 453BG (1 a/c), 466BG. 5. 107 of 137 1BD, 41CBW B-17s dispatched, escorted by 20 P-47s, struck oil industries at Sterkrade, and 20 hit the rail yards at Rheine. 1 B-17 is lost. Bomb Groups participating – 303BG (1 a/c), 379BG, 384BG. All Fighter Groups operating. Totals include 9AF P-38s. Fighter Group e/a credits: 4FG (4 a/c), 20FG (28 a/c), 55FG (17 1/2 a/c), 339FG (2 a/c), 352FG (39 a/c), 353FG (4 a/c), 355FG (8 a/c), 357FG (4 a/c), 359FG (5 1/2 a/c), 361FG (8 a/c), 364FG (13 a/c), 479FG (2 a/c). Fighter Group losses: (20FG (3 a/c), 55FG (1 a/c), 352FG (2 a/c), 353FG (1 a/c), 355FG (2 a/c), 357FG (1 a/c), 361FG (2 a/c), 364FG (1 a/c), 479FG (3 a/c). OTHER OPERATIONS: 25BG dispatched 2 Mosquitoes on experimental navigation sorties, 5 Mosquitoes on WR Continent and 4 B-24s on WR Azores/Atlantic/UK. Scouting Forces dispatched 33 P-51s on WR for bombers. 12 B-17s provided Chaff screen for bombers - first use of separate force. 2 P-47s, 8 P-51s on radio-relays. Mission 699: NIGHT LEAFLET OPERATION - 1BD, 422BS dispatched 3 B-17s and 5 B-24s: Holland and Germany. 36 BS dispatched 7 B-24s on RCM during the night. Photo 1 and text from Freemans War Diary. ...486BGs Blue Streak, the first combat loss of 834BS in the 78 missions flown since entering combat. 2/Lt David Paris and crew perished. Navigator William Beeson was on his 32nd and last scheduled mission, the rest of the crew on number 5 or 6. An 88mm shell exploded the left main fuel tank over Merseburg, 2 November. The propeller from No. 2 engine can be seen falling away. Photo 2 and text from Le Stranges Century Bombers. ...On the 2nd, the Hundredth, led by Major Sam Barr and Paul Spurgeon, set out for Merseburg, where the radar navigators James Maddox and Michael Kretow, released their bombs through flak and undercast on the Leuna oil plant, with good results. While still in the vicinity of the target, one well-placed flak burst exploded near the tail of David Raifords ship, killing the gunner Patrick Fitzsimmons.... Despite the Luftwaffe appearing in force, all the Groups aircraft returned, coming back by way of Holland, to reach the English coast in at 1505...
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 18:19:27 +0000
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