SORTIE REPORT #7556
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑11‑10 224 709 Target: Ostheim Airfield & Butzweilerhof Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany
Primary Targets Bombed: The 384th provided three squadrons to form the 41st C Combat Bombardment Wing (41C Group) and an additional 12 aircraft to form the high squadron of the 41st D Combat Bombardment Wing (41D Squadron). The 41C Group lead and low squadrons bombed Ostheim Airfield using Gee-H, but the high squadron Gee-H equipment failed on the bomb run, and a second run was necessary. They started a PFF run on the primary target, but the PFF equipment failed, then attempted a visual run but could not see the primary target. They then salvoed their bombs over the secondary target, the center of Köln. The 41D Squadron made a 'long smooth run' to attack Butzweilerhof Airfield through 'intense and accurate' flak.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
No Aborted Mission After Taking Off.
Comments: 41C Group, High Squadron. Hot Camera ship. Turned back due to mechanical failure.
N/A
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑37788 ⇗ 547th SO*N HELL'S MESSENGER
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot McNamara, John Gordon⇗ 547 Aborted
Co-pilot Nelson, Elmer (NMI)⇗ 547 Aborted
Navigator Dobrow, Martin (NMI)⇗ 547 Aborted
Togglier Melton, Derald William⇗ 547 Aborted
Radio Operator Occhino, Anthony A⇗ 547 Aborted
Engineer/Top Turret Zaleski, Edmund Casmir⇗ 547 Aborted
Ball Turret Raught, Thomas Earl⇗ 547 Aborted
Tail Gunner Manicki, John Robert⇗ 547 Aborted
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Rohr, Kenneth Orville⇗ 547 Aborted
Sortie Report 7556 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
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