| MISSION DATA: | |||
| DATE | 384th BG Mission # | 8th AF Mission # | 384th PRIMARY TARGET |
| 1944‑05‑28 | 118 | 376 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany |
| The "Grapefruit" Mission: For the second mission of the day - identified as 'Grapefruit Mission' in Group records - the 384th Bombardment Group (H) formed the High Group of the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing, the sole wing comprising Air Task Force 5. This was an experimental attack using first-generation glide bombs. The primary target is identified as 'Railroad Marshaling Yards' or 'Industrial Center of City' in various Group documents. A great deal of practice and experimentation was involved in preparing crews and equipment for this mission. Results were inconclusive; however, it should be noted that the 384th did not repeat an attack of this type again. | |||
| SORTIE DATA: | ||
| COMBAT CREDIT | STATUS | TARGET ATTACKED (MODE) |
| Yes |
Completed Mission Comments: High Squadron Deputy (original assignment). However, he became separated from the 384th formation. He joined the Low Squadron of the Lead Group (303rd BG) as #7; released bombs on target but didn't arm them due to a blown fuse. |
Primary (Visual) |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | ||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17G | 42‑37758 ⇗ | 545th | JD*W | KENTUCKY KERNEL |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Birckhead, Robert Bruce⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Co-pilot | Hailey, Millie Zo, Jr⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Hedrick, Hilary Hann⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Togglier | Booth, George Totten⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Radio Operator | Bridgeman, John Joseph, Jr⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Lusk, Clarence Leon⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Ball Turret | Brugman, Duane Francis⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Tail Gunner | Fauser, Frank George, Jr⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Chernack, Abe (NMI)⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |