Intelligence

Intelligence annex to 1st BD field order No.587

GUN V MOL BMP NR 01 OP OP

FROM: OIBMP 240032A DEC 44
TO: USLIST PB –PC ATT: INTELLIGENCE
OIWTH “ “
OIHON “ COL. PEASLEE
SECRET BT

1BD D-1102-D
INTELLIGENCE ANNEX TO 1BD FIELD ORDER NO.587

1. STRATEGIC REPORTING WILL BE USED:

2. ALL OF OUR TARGETS ARE USED BY GAF SUPPORTING THEIR GROUND
FORCES. THESE FIELD ARE MAINLY GRASS COVERED AND AT THE
PRESENT TIME ARE MUDDY AND WET. A BULL DOSIER WILL BE HANDICAPPED
CONSIDERABLE BY THESE CONDITIONS IF THE FIELDS ARE WELL
COVERED WITH HOLES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT WITH GOOD BOMBING
THE FIELDS WILL BE UNSERVICEABLE FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS. A
VERY HEAVY BLOW CAN BE DELIVERED IN AID OF OUR GROUND FORCES
BY THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS MISSION.

3. CONVOYS: NONE EXPECTED

4. STRONG E/A OPPOSITION IS VERY PROBABLE. 3RD DIVISION
WAS ATTACKED ON TODAYS MISSION BY APPROXIMATELY 20
FW190’S AND ME109’S IN THE KAISERSLAUTERN AREA, AND
OTHERS WERE INTERCEPTED BY FIGHTER ESCORT.

5. INFORMATION FOR SCOUTING FORCE:
GU 4048 – 5034-0853
GU 3963 – 5028-0838
GU 4393 – 5026-0859
GU 4329 – 5020-0829
GU 4098 – 5036-0843
GU 2973 – 5053-0802
GH 5548 – 5019-0736

H2X SCOPE PHOTA DATA:
------------------

TARGET GZ-2793
-------------
3 PHOTOS IN FOLDER 50/6-C;
TARGET AREA AS SEEN FROM S.W.
SAT 92/10-23, H-0299, V-0324;

TARGET AREA AS SEEN FROM S.
SAT 486/3-9, H-0284, V-0348; SAT 94/82-21, H-0272, V-0298
SAT 95/16-10, H-0250, V-0345

TARGET AREA AS SEEN FROM W.
SAT 482/74-25. H-0339, V-0281

2 PHOTOS IN FOLDER 50/6-D, TARGET AS SEEN FROM S.E.,
SAT 401/14-7, H-0177, V-0182; SAT 95/17-13, H-0139, V-0330

TARGET GO-1492B. APPROACH FROM N.E.
------------------------------

NAVIGATION STRIP NO. 50/8
3 PHOTOS IN FOLDER 50/6-C;
SAT 486/3-9, FOR NAVIGATION
SAT 92/11-4, FOR NAVIGATION
SAT 94/82-21, H-0172, V-0195

--- TURNER – COMBOMDIV ONE ---

2nd BD GAF Intelligence annex No.1 to field order No.554

HDK HET SHP HSF OISFW V OIKHI NR 19 OPOP
OISFW T GPS
FROM OIKHI 23/2155A DEC 44
TO US LIST QB AND QC
65TH FW AND GROUPS (INFO ONLY)
SECRET BT BD D381-D

2 BD G.A.F. INTELLIGENCE ANNEX NO.1 TO FIELD ORDER NO. 554

1. FORECAST INDICATES THERE WILL BE NO WEATHER RESTRICTION TO TAKE-
OFF OR ASSEMBLY BY E/A DURING THIS MISSION.

2. PROBABLY 75 PERCENT OF TOTAL G.A.F. SE A/C FORCE IS NOW BASED IN
TACTICAL AREA ON WESTERN FRONT.

3. TOTAL E/A OBSERVED BY ALL FORCES OPERATING IN AREA TODAY APPEARS
TO APPROXIMATE 600. OF THIS NUMBER LESS THAN 100 WERE AT SUFFICIENT
ALTITUDE FOR INTERCEPTION OF HEAVY BOMBERS. GREAT MAJORITY WERE
AT LEVELS LESS THAN 15,000 FT. AS DEFENSE AGAINST NINTH AIR FORCE
MEDIUM BOMBERS AND AS GROUND SUPPORT. ENCOUNTERS FOR THE MOST
PART OCCURRED IN THE COLOGNE – BONN, LIEGE, AND TRIER AREAS.

4. CONTINUED HIGH LEVEL ATTACKS IN THE TACTICAL AREA CANNOT FAIL TO
BRING INCREASINGLY STRONGER E/A REACTION AND GUNNERS SHOULD
BE BRIEFED ACCOARDINGLY.

5. ATTENTION IS ALSO DRAWN TO REPORT FROM NINTH AIR FORCE OF GREATLY
INCREASED AGGRESIVENESS OF ATTACK BY INDIVIDUAL G.A.F. PILOTS.

--- KEPNER ---

2nd BD Intelligence Flak annex No1. to 2nd BD Field order No.554

OIHDK OIHET OISHP OIHSF OISFW V OIKHI NR 20 –OP-
OISFW T. OISTP

FROM: OIKHI 232200A DEC 44
TO: US LIST QB, QC.
OISFW
OISTP
SECRET BT

2BD D-382-D
2 BD INTELLINGENCE FLAK ANNEX NO.1 TO 2 BD FIELD ORDER NO. 554.

1. GSGS 4416 (TI-235811 – BELIEVED NIL) (TI-390540 – BELIEVED NIL)
(SI-646924 – BELIEVED NIL) (TI-132535-16) (SI-545163-
POS 4)
(SI-335249-60) (TI-593728 – POSSIBLE 4) (SI-442260-26)
(TI-358779 – BELIEVED NIL) (TI-260321-58) (TI-249319-58)
(TI-091740 – POSSIBLE 4) (TI-092734 – POSSIBLE 4) (5007E/
B/6-8)

3. NO CLOCKS COMPUTED.

8. ALTHOUGH SOME OF THESE TARGETS ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE DEFENDED IT IS
PROBABLE THAT DUE TO THE IMMEDIATE TACTICAL IMPORTANCE TO THE
ENEMY, DEFENCES MAY NOW BE IN PLACE.
DUE TO THE COMPLETE FLUIDITY OF THE AREA TO BE ATTACKED AND THE
BATLLE AREA TO THE WEST OF THE TARGETS, THE LENGTH OF TIME IS FLAK
AND THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF GUNS ON THE RUN WILL NOT BE GIVEN.
ALL CREWS SHOULD BE ON THE ALERT TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION IMMEDIATELY
AFTER BOMBS AWAY IN THE EVENT SUCH PROCEDURE BECOMES NECESSARY.
DUE TO TACTICAL LIMITATIONS THE ROUTE ON TARGET SI-335294 AND SI-
442260 WILL RUN WITHIN RANGE OF DEFENCES AT 5031N-0623E. CARPET
A/C IN THE FORMATIONS ON THESE TARGETS WILL BE REQUESTED TO CONCEN-
TRATE ON THESE BATTERIES.

--- KEPNER ---

2nd BD Intelligence annex. to 2nd BD Field order No.554

OIHDK OIHET OISHP OISHF OISFW V OIKHI NR 22 –P-
OISFW T ALL GROUPS

FROM OIKHI 232230A DEC 44
TO: US LIST QB, QC.
OISFW – ALL GPS.
SECRET BT

2BD D-384-D
2 BD INTELLIGENCE ANNEX NO.1 TO 2BD FIELD ORDER NO.554.

THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF THIS MISSION IS TO DISLOCATE AND DELAY
THE ENEMY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN THIS VITAL AREA. THIS SHALL
BE ATTAINED BY:
(1) THE MAXIMIMUM DISRUPTION TO ALL TRAFFIC FACILITIES, AND ROLL-
ING STOCK.
(2) THE DEMOLITION OF R.R. EMBANKMENTS AND STORAGE FACILITIES,
(3) THE CRATERING OF ROADS AND THE LEVELLING OF BUILDINGS IN TOWNS
TO BLOCK THE ROADS,
(4) ATTACKING TOWNS IN WHICH RESERVE TROOPS AND SUPPLIES ARE LO-
CATED.

TARGET GSGS 4416 GRID OTHER MATERIAL
------ -------- ---- -------------
(1) T-1 260321 GN5860, G01210, 4906E/B/9
(2) T-1 249319 GN5860, G01210, 4906E/B/9
(3) T-1 390540 4906E/6007 GRID 051111
(5) T-1 593728 5007E/5808 GRID 148075
(6) T-1 132535 NO
(7) S-1 646924 NO
(8) T-1 358779 NO
(9) T-1 235811 GH 482
(10) T-1 092734 NO
(11) T-1 091740 NO
(12) S-1 545163 5007E/5408, GRID 092061
(13) S-1 442260 NO
(14) S-1 335294 GU 4178
(4) IS 5007E/B/6

1ST AND 3RD DIV ARE ATTACKING GU 4068, 3963, 4393, 4329,4231
4289, 4049, 3961, 4418, 4040. THESE ARE IMPORTANT AS THE GAF IS USING
THEM FOR A/C SUPPORTING THEIR PRESENT ATTACK. THEY HAVE CONCENTRATED
THEIR FORCE ON THESE A/D BUT WEATHER HAS PREVENTED THEIR OPERATION TO
DATE. THE TACTICAL A/F HAS DEVOTED ITSELF TO STRAFING AND IT WILL BE
THE TASK OF 1ST AND 3RD TO POST HOLE THESE BASES THUS DENYING THEIR USE
TO THE G.A.F.

PW BRIEFING SHOULD INCLUDE REFERENCE TO SECRET TELETYPE ORIGINATORS
NUMBER AI-342 DATED 20 DEC AND 2 BD’S NUMBER KHI 33 DATED 21 DEC. BOTH
NUMBERS REFER TO SAME TELETYPE.

BATLLE-LINE INFO TO FOLLOW:

--- KEPNER ---

OIHDK -:- OIHET -: - OIHSF -:- OISHP -:- OISFW –V- OIKHI NR4 –P-
OISFW T-ALL GRPS.

FROM OIKHI 24/0045A DEC 44
TO US LIST QB AND QC
65TH FTR WG AND GPS
SECRET 2BD D-390-D

2 BD INTELLIGENCE ANNEX NO.2 TO FIELD ORDER NO.554.

SECONDARY FOR ALL 2BD FROCES IF VISUAL CONDITIONS:
ANY MILITARY OBJECTIVE IN VICINITY OF ASSIGNED TARGET
AREA OUTSIDE THE CURRENT BOMB LINE. THIS MEANS
PARTICULARLY ROAD AND RAIL JUNCTIONS AND ROAD AND RAIL
FACILITIES OF ANY TYPE AS WELL AS ANY SMALL TOWNS,
ALL OF WHICH IN THIS SECTOR CONTAIN ENEMY TROOPS, AND
SUPPLIES.

NOTE:- NO CHANGE IN BOMB LINE REPEAT BOMB LINE FROM
INFO ALREADY IN YOUR POSSESSION. IF OVERCAST AND GEE-H
DOES NOT FUNCTION:- H2X SECONDARY IS GH-628
H2X DATA TO FOLLOW.

-:- K E P N E R -:-

BT 24/0045A DEC44
CC:- UNDER NOTE:- WA YOUR POSESSION
VMI BB QC
AS FOR R’S
RKH R………2
/ 0140A DAVIS KK
ATB R……24/ 0142A GHP KKK
OIHSF R…….24/0143A CMW KK

OIHDK -:- OIHET -: - OIHSF -:- OISHP -:- OISFW –V- OIKHI NR7 P
OISFW T- ALL GPS

FROM OIKHI 24/0224A DEC.44
TO US LIST QB AND QC
65TH F.W. & ALL GPS.
SECRET 2BD D-392-D

2BD INTELLIGENCE ANNEX NO. 3 FIELD ORDER NO. 554.
------------------------------------------

H2X SECONDARY GH-628.
APPRAOCH FROM W

SEE 4 SCOPE PHOTOS IN FOLDER 50/6-C:

FOR NAVIGATION: SAT 305/143-6 AND SAT 305/123-11.

FOR TARGET AREA SAT 92/12-46
H-0399, V-0221

FOR TARGET AREA SAT 305/8-81
H-0264, V-0126

-:- K E P N E R –:-

Intelligence annex to 3 B.D. Field Order No.526

USLIST SB SC – OIWOD – OISAS – OISFW V OITHE NR 16 P P
OISFW T - ALL UNITS
OISAS F – ALL UNITS

FROM OITHE 23/2340A DEC44
TO ULIST SB SC
OIWOD
OISAS (ALL SUB UNITS)
OISFW (ALL SUB UNITS)

SECRET 3BD D-332-E

INTELLIGENCE ANNEX TO 3 B.D. FIELD ORDER NO 526

FIRST DIVISION TARGETS SECOND DIVISION TARGETS

GU-4068 GSGS 4416 SHEET T-1
GU-3963 235811 260321
GU-4393 390540 249319
GU-4329 132535 091740
593728 092734
358779 571671
GSGS 4416 SHEET S-1
646924 335294
545163 442260

TENTATIVE IPS

GU-4231, GU-3961, GU-4418 5017 N 0942 E
GU-4289, GU-4049 5020 N 0939 E
GU-4040 5002 N 0922 E

THE CURRENT WEATHER FORECAST INDICATES THAT TOMORROW WILL BE
THE DAY FOR WHICH THE ALLIED HIGH COMMAND HAS BEEN WAITING EVER
SINCE THE GERMAN COUNTER-OFFENSIVE BEGAN EIGHT DAYS AGO – A
DAY THAT WILL PERMIT MAXIMUM EMPLOYMENT OF OUR AIR POWER. THE
8TH AIR FORCE WILL PUT NEARLY 2,000 HEAVY BOMBERS INTO THE AIR,
WITH 3D DIVISION FURNISHING 856 OF THESE. IN ADDITION THE
RAF HEAVIES WILL BE ATTACKING 4 AIRFIELDS IN THE COLOGNE -
RUHR AREA, WHILE THE MEDIUM BOMBERS AND THE TACTICAL AIR FORCES
WILL BE OUT IN FULL STRENGTH ON CLOSE SUPPORT TARGETS. THIS
PROMISES TO BE THE LARGEST SCALE AERIAL OPERATION IN HISTORY --
8TH AIR FORCE’S EFFORT WILL BE SOME 300 A/C IN EXCESS OF
ITS PREVIOUS RECORD OPERATION.

ALTHOUGH THE SECOND DIVISION WILL BE
ATTACKING 14 TACTICAL TARGETS IN THE RHINELAND, THE PRINCIPAL
TASK WHICH THE ARMY HAS ASSIGNED TO THE STRATEGIC AIR FORCES
IS THE ELIMINATION OR SERIOUS CURTAILMENT OF LUFTWAFFE
OPERATIONS AGAINST OUR GROUND FORCES. DURING THE PAST WEEK
WHEN OPERATIONS WERE POSSIBLE THE ENEMY’S FIGHTERS AND
FIGHTER BOMBERS RAISED HAVOC AMOUR OUR SUPPLY COLUMNS
AND TROOPS. A LARGE PORTION OF LUFTWAFFE SUPPORT AIRCRAFT
RECENTLY MOVED UP TO AIRFIELDS IN THE FRANKFURT AREA. 1ST AND
3RD DIVISIONS, BETWEEN THEM, ARE ATTACKING 10 OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT OF THESE BASES. EACH OF THESE FIELDS IS NOW REPORTED
TO BE THE BASE OF AT LEAST ONE GRUPPE OF SINGLE ENGINE A/C.
ALL 6 TARGETS ASSIGNED TO 3RD DIVISION ARE GRASS FIELDS AND
ARE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO POSTHOLE TYPE BOMBING. IT IS
ESTIMATED THAT SUCCESFUL BOMBING WOULD RENDER THE FIELDS
UNSERVICEABLE FOR TWO WEEKS. SINCE THERE ARE ONLY A LIMITED
NUMBER OF AIRFIELDS AVAILABLE TO THE GERMANS IN THIS AREA --
MANY OF THEIR OTHER FIELDS ARE EITHER UNDER WATER OR TOO RAIN-
SODDEN TO BE OPERATIONAL—IT IS HOPED TO RESTRICT THE GERMANS
CHOICE OF AIRDROMES IN THIS AREA SO RIGIDLY THAT THEY WILL
BE FORCED EITHER TO REDUCE THE SCALE OF THEIR ATTACKS ON OUR
GROUND FORCES OR ELSE WILL HAVE TO CONCENTRATE SO MANY
AIRCRAFT ON THEIR FEW REMAINING OPERATIONAL FIELDS THAT THEY
WILL BE EASY PREY FOR OUR FIGHTERS.

GU-4289

MPI’S FOR THIS TARGET HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED ON ILLUSTRATION”/2.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT TWO DIFFERENT ILLUSTRATIONS HAVE BEEN
ISSUED FOR THIS TARGET, BOTH BEING LABELED /2. THE 1:6,000
ANNOTATED ILLUSTRATION IS THE ONE WHICH SHOULD BE USED IN LOCATED
THE MPI’S.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATE LAST RESORT TARGETS: NONE

LEAFLETS

34 GP – 2 A/C - 10 CONTAINERS T-250
3 CONTAINERS WG-221
3 CONTAINERS WG-1000
4 CONTAINERS WG-27
388 GP – 2 A/C - 10 CONTAINERS T-250
4 CONTAINERS WG-1000 2 CONTAINERS WG-21
2 CONTAINERS WG-9 2 CONTAINERS WG-27

E/A OPPOSITION:

THE GAF IS NOW IN A POSITION ON THE WESTERN FRONT WHICH REQUIRES
ALMOST A MAXIMUM EFFORT DAILY TO PROTECT THE GROUND FORCES. OVER
600 SORTIES WERE FLOWN BY THE LUFTWAFFE ON THE 23RD DECEMBER
IN OPPOSITION TO B-26S OF THE 9TH AIR FORCE AND HEAVY BOMBERS
OF THE 8TH AIR FORCE. THE MARAUDERS BORE THE BRUNT OF THE ATTACKS.
GUNNERS SHOULD BE BRIEFED THAT AS MANY AS 650 DAY AND NIGHT FIGHTERS
MIGHT BECOME AIRBORNE TO OPPOSE THIS MISSION AND THAT INTERCEPTION
MIGHT BE EXPECTED AS FAR WEST AS 0600 DEGREES EAST.
WEATHER AS FORCAST SHOULD NOT OFFER ENEMY ANY TACTICAL ADVANTAGE,
BUT WILL ENABLE OPERATIONS BY GAF IN GREAT STRENGTH. IF
“COMPANY FRONT” TACTICS ARE EMPLOYED, TAIL AND TURRET GUNNERS SHOULD
CONCENTRATE FIRE POWER ON THE AIRCRAFT ATTACKING FROM NEAREST TO
6 O’CLOCK POSITION. IN THIS TACTIC, THE USUAL MANEUVER IS FOR
THE ATTACKING E/A TO DIVE BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE PARTICULAR BOMBER
OR BOMBERS SINGLED OUT FOR ATTACK AND TO NOSE UP BEFORE FIRING.
ALTHOUGH EMPLOYED FROM THE REAR OF THE BOMBERS, THE TACTICS ARE
SIMILAR TO THE “ROLLER COASTER”. SOMETIMES THE E/A WILL PULL OUT
OF THE DIVE TO ATTACK FROM LEVEL. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION AT HAND,
THE LEVEL APPROACH IS LIKELY TO BE MADE WHEN REARWARD FIRING GUNS
APPEAR TO BE “OUT OF ACTION”

FLAK

THERE ARE NO KNOWN FLAK DEFENSES ON ROUTE FROM BATTLE LINE TO RHINE
RIVER. THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILTY OF UNPLOTTED POSITIONS IN THIS
ARE DUE TO THE CHANGING BATTLE SITUATION. THERE IS STILL BELIEVED
TO BE A FOUR GUN BATTERY ON COURSE AT IDSTEIN IN THE FRANKFURT -
LIMBURG CORRIDOR. THE FRANKFURT DEFENSES SHOULD BE AVOIDED ON THIS
PART OF THE ROUTE. ALL GROUPS HAVE FAVORABLE FLAK RUNS FOR THEIR
RESPECTIVE TARGETS. THE ARE NO KNOWN DEFENSES AT TARGETS GU-4418,
GU-4049 AND GU-4231. HOWEVER MEAGER FLAK HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM
THIS AREA. THERE ARE ABOUT SEVENTY GUNS OF THE FRANKFURT DEFENSES
THAT ARE WITHIN RANGE OF TARGET GU-4040 AND THERE ARE ONE HUNDRED GUNS
JUST SOUTHWEST OF THIS TARGET WHICH WILL BE AVOIDED BY A SHARP
LEFT TURN AFTER BOMBING. THERE ARE SEVENTEEN GUNS AT TARGET GU-4289.
THER ARE TWELVE TO TWENTY GUNS AT TARGET GU-3961 AND THIS GROUP
SHOULD MAKE A SLIGHT TURN AFTER BOMBING AND BE CAREFUL TO AVOID
THE KAISERSLAUTERN DEFENSES ON COURSE BACK. ALL OTHER GROUPS EXCEPT THOSE
ON GU-3961 SHOULD MAKE GOOD THE CORRIDORS BETWEEN STUTTGART AND
PFORZHEIM AND BETWEEN STRASBOURG AND RASTATT.

--------PARTRIDGE--------

ANNEX TO INTELLIGENCE ANNEX TO 3 B.D. F.O. 526

FROM OITHE 24/0235A DEC 44
TO USLIST SB-SC
OIWOD
OISAS

SECRET 3 D.D. D-336-E

ANNEX NO.1 TO INTELLIGENCE ANNEX TO 3 B.D. F.O. 526

H2X SCOPE INFORMATION

TARGET GH-3523
NAVIGATION STRIP 50:3, TARGET ANNOTATED ON PHOTO 4.
4 PHOTOS IN FOLDER 48/6-A.
FOR TARGET AREA ON 50-MILE SCAN
AT 305/48-22, H-0342, V-0202, TARGET IS AT WEST END OF BLIP.
ALSO 305/49-52, H-0243, V-0192,
TARGET ON 50-MILE SCAN AS SEEN FROM SOUTH , SAT 303/S-11, NOTE
LONG BLIP SHAPE AT WEST END OF TOWN WHICH CORRESPONDS TO
MARSHALLING YARD LOCATED AS FOLLOWS:
“H” EXTENDS FROM 0332 TO 0336, AND “V” EXTENDS FROM 0200 TO
0280.
TARGET AREA AS SEEN FROM S.E. ON 20-MILE SCAN, SAT 303/8-26,
M-0140, V-0087.

TARGET GH-5520, APPROACH FROM S.W.
2 PHOTO ON 50 MILE SCAN IN FOLDER 48/6C;
SAT 94/75-12;
SAT 30C/1-10, H-0184, V-0322.
1 PHOTO ON 20 MILE SCAN;
SAT 351/9-37, H-0184, V-0308.
1 PHOTO ON 20 MILE SCAN IN FOLDER 48/6-D;
SAT 44/49-58, H-0355, V-0242.
APPROACH FROM NORTH,
2 PHOTOS IN FOLDER 48/6-B,
SAT 482/52-17, H-0339, V-0122,
SAT 94/84-16, H-0229, V-0134.

---PARTRIDGE---

USLIST SB-SC – OIWOD – OISAS V OITHE NR 6 PP
OISAS T ALL SUB UNITS AND OISFW AND ALL SUB UNITS

FROM OITHE 24/0355A DEC 44
TO USLIST SB-SC
OIWOD
OISAS (T ALL SUB UNITS)
OISFW (T ALL SUB UNITS)

SECRET 3 B.D. D-339-E

ANNEX NO 2 TO INTELLIGENCE ANNEX TO 3 B.D. FIELD ORDER 526

EIGHTH AIR FORCE WILL PUT UP OVER 2000 A/C ON TOMORROWS OPERATIONS
WITH 3RD DIVISION SUPLLY OVER 850 A/C

THE R.A.F. WILL HAVE APPROXIMATELY 500 A/C ON A/F TARGETS IN THE
ESSEN, DUSSELDORF AND BONN AREAS.

H2X SCOPE INFORMATION

UNDER TARGET GH5520 LINE NO 5 DELETE MPI V-0308

----PARTRIDGE----