Fighter and enemy reaction data.

Fighter support.

1. General:

   Fifteen fighter groups (13 P-51, 2 P-47) were available and it was decided to use them all in support of this operation.
   Since the 17^th of December the enemy had been deploying the bulk of his aircraft on tactical ground support.
   The opposition to strategic bombing had been on a reduced scale but it was known that the enemy was still capable of opposing the eighth air force in the Ruhr area with approximately 700 fighters.
   Force I (3^rd Div) attacking targets in the Ruhr was therefore given first priority while Force II (1^st Div) bombing in the Frankfurt area was given second priority.
   Force III (2^nd Div) was bombing in the battle area and was given last priority for fighter support.

2. Specific assignments:

   Force I (3^rd Div) was to be escorted by six split P-51 groups (357, 55, 479, 355, 353, 339) which were to rendezvous west of Liege, Belgium.
   Force II (1^st Div) was to be escorted by five split P-51 groups (359 ,356, 20, 364, 4) which were to rendezvous west of Liege.
   Force III (2^nd Div) was to be supported by two P-47 groups (56,78) and two P-51 groups (361,352) based on the continent.
   One P-47 group (56) was to provide free-lance support arriving at Coblenz as Force I crossed the enemy coast and was to follow MEW vectors.
   The other P-47 group (78) was to have its “A” unit provide free-lance support arriving at Bad Kreusnach while the “B” unit swept Force III’s  target area.
   One P-51 group (352) was to have its “A” unit provide Free-lance patrol arriving at Trier while its “B” unit swept from Ostend to Brussels to Givet.
   The other P-51 group (361) was to have its “A” unit on free-lance patrol arriving at Bonn while its “B” unit swept through Force III’s target area.

   All groups were ordered not to strafe and were to fly a maximum effort, using every serviceable aircraft.
   The “B” units of all groups were to provide close escort and were to withdraw with their assigned bombers to 0300E.
   The ”A” units on escort were to withdraw only to 0600E and were then to return to the battle area.

   All fighter groups were to operate under MEW control during
   this operation.

Penetration.

Force I (3^rd Div)

Two (355,339) of the six assigned escort P-51 groups were unable to take off
on time because of the base weather. One group (353) made rendezvous on time, two
groups (55,479) met the bombers approximately 10 minutes early, and the group
(357) assigned to escort the lead combat wings had its “B” unit arrive 15 minutes
late while its “A” unit was 30 minutes late. The enemy took advantage of this
unescorted formation and attacked. Approximately 80 FW-190s and Me-109’s concentrated
their attack on the lead combat wing in the vicinity of Namur. “Company Fronts”
were formed with eight Me-109s making passes from three to nine o’clock level. Six
bombers were destroyed before the escort arrived. Units of the four P-51 groups
(55,479,357,353) which had made rendezvous were vectored forward. Two groups
(55,357) arrived to chase off the enemy and destroyed many aircraft in the ensuing
combats. The other two groups (479,353) arrived too late to lend any assistance but
all four groups then came across 60-70 Me-109s and FW-190s with another 40-50 giving
top cover, queuing up in the Fulda area. These aircraft were attacked and completely
disorganized and routed before they could reach the bombers. Also during penetration
between Coblenz and Limburg, one fighter group (353) was attacked by 12 ME-109s
but the P-51s warded them off and destroyed five of them. The bombers were not under
attack after the initial encounter.

Target and withdrawal.

All four groups which made rendezvous during penetration maintained close
escort. One group (355) which at first was unable to take off, finally became
airborne as the bombers were withdrawing and was vectored to Amsterdam and then to
Luxembourg uneventfully. In the target area and during the withdrawal, the force
did not encounter any opposition but the fighter escort encountered lone jet
aircraft, a few of which they were able to engage. One P-51 group (55) broke escort
during withdrawal to strafe rail traffic in the Saar area and succeeded in des-
troying several locomotives and goods wagons.

Penetration, target and withdrawal.

Force II (1^st Div)

Only one of the five P-51 groups assigned to escort Force II made rendezvous on time.
One group (364) made rendezvous southeast of Ghent 17 minutes early, a second group (359) made rendezvous southeast of Brussels 14 minutes
early, a third group (20) made rendezvous in the vicinity of Namur nine minutes early and a fourth group (356) had its “A” unit rendezvous 25 minutes early north of
Ostend and its “B” unit met the bombers 40 minutes late. All five groups maintained
close escort throughout the entire mission, but squadrons of each group were vectored
off from time to time by the controller to various areas. One group (356) sent
units to Coblenz, Frankfurt and Marburg, another (20) went to Bonn and a third
(364) to Cologne but none of these groups found any enemy aircraft apart from single
jets which they could not engage. One group (4) however, found a lone ME-109 on
the deck at Giessen which they destroyed  and damaged another in the same area. The
fifth escort group (359) had units vectored to Bonn where several FW-190’s were sighted
of which 12 were destroyed. This group (359) also accounted for two Me-109s near
Vogelsang. The bombers of Force II did not encounter any enemy opposition but
reported  sightings during the entire mission mainly of ME-262 jet aircraft.
Approximately 20 enemy aircraft were sighted and although some jest did circle
over and around the bombers, no attacks were made.

Force III (2^nd Div-Ardennes area)

One of the P-47 groups (78) on free-lance patrol with Force III was unable
to take-off. The other P-47 group (56) was vectored southwest of Coblenz and then
to the Frankfurt and Hanau areas which they patrolled uneventfully. One P-51
group (352) patrolled the Giessen area and had units sweeping from Ostend to
Brussels to Givet. The other P-51 group (361) supporting Force III patrolled the
target area and then encountered, as the bombers were still on penetration, 7 Me-109s
southwest of Coblenz. The enemy was quite aggressive but the P-51s succeeded in
destroying four of them. The bombers of Force III did not encounter any enemy
opposition but reported sighting three to four jet aircraft and eight to twelve
single engine aircraft in the target area.

Fighter Summary

1. General effectiveness

   Force I was escorted by four P-51 groups and had one P-51 on free-lance patrol while Force II was escorted by five P-51 groups.
   Force III had one P-47 group and two P-51 groups on free-lance patrol.
   One P-47 group (78) and one P-51 group (339) were unable to take-ff because of base weather.
   Forces II and III both described the fighter escort as very good.
   Force I was well escorted but unfortunately the enemy was able to attack just as the fighter rendezvous was being accomplished.

2. Straffing activities.

   Only one (55) of the 13 groups (12 P-51 1 P-47) participating in this operation engaged in strafing activities.
   This P-51 group (55) strafed five locomotives and damaged 30 goods wagons in the Saar area.

Sorties, losses, battle damage and claims.

864 fighters (813 P-51, 51 P-47) were dispatched of which 840 sortied and 823
completed their assignments. Nine p-51s were lost, three to enemy aircraft, two
to accident and four to unknown causes and there were two case of category “E”
(salvage) damage. There were also three cases of other minor damage. Claims made
against enemy aircraft in the air, all ME-109s and FW190s, were 72-2-9.

Scouting force.
27 P-51s were dispatched of which 26 sortied and 26 completed their assignments.
one P-51 was lost to unknown causes. The 3^rd scouting force (55) while in the
Darmstadt-Frankfurt area sighted four ME-109s and four FW190s and dropped their
tanks to attack them. Claims made in this encounter were 3-0-1.

Enemy reaction.

During this operation, the enemy had one tactical success. Up to 80 fighters
from north of the Ruhr were airborne by the time Force I had crossed into Belgium
and his warning system reported thin escort around Brussels. The enemy attacked
and this was the first time he had tried an interception so far behind our lines.
40 to 50 of his fighters south of Liege found the lead group unescorted and the
low squadron not only unescorted but a mile behind the other two. A “company front”
attack followed and six bombers were destroyed. Further individual attacks
were unsuccessful and then escort arrived and smashed the enemy. Besides the
enemy immediately engaged with the force, a further 35 were disorganized forming
up for the attack southwest of Coblenz. Meanwhile a second force coming from the
more northerly bases were being vectored onto the lead combat wing of force I.
By the time this force had reached the vicinity of Fulda it comprised some
60-70 fighters with another 40-50 as top cover but its rendezvous with unescorted
bombers turned out to be an idle dream and one escort group immediately engaged
them destroyed at least 23 aircraft. None of these fighters broke through to
the bombers.

Probably another 30 enemy fighters in all were airborne in the vicinity,
mostly in units of ones and twos, including up to five ME-262. One formation of
12 ME-109s bounced a squadron of P-51 escorts of Force I between Coblenz and Limburg
and were badly defeated with five being shot down.
Forces II and III did not encounter any enemy opposition and a subsequent attack
by the RAF to trier and Cologne was also unopposed.
This was the second day of strenuous air activity and the second successive
day of heavy loss. In addition to the 200 odd aircraft encountered by the eighth
air force another 350-400 enemy fighters were sent up during the day. This made
a total German effort in the neighborhood of 600 aircraft which was a sharp drop
of the preceding day’s estimated sorties of 900-1000. It showed however that besides
the enemy’s inability to maintain his initial high sortie rate he was still
sensitive about heavy bombers in the area of his Ardennes offensive and was willing
to divert, from purely tactical purposes, a large proportion of his fighter strength.

4^th FG, 56^TH FG, 355^TH FG, 479^TH FG

OIPNT, OISAS, OIWTH, OIDEB, OISTP, OIBXD, OIHAK, OIWTM, V OISFW NR 8/24
OISAS T ALL SUB UNITS & OITHE
OIWTH T ALL SUB UNITS
OIPNT T OIAJX

FROM OISFW 24/2100A DEC. 44
TO OIPNT – OIAJX – OITHE – OIDEB – OISTP – OIBXD – OIHAK – OIWTM
OISAS AND ALL SUB UNITS
OIWTH AND ALL SUB UNITS
BT

CONFIDENTIAL SFWD 87 D 4

- - - - 65^TH FIGHTER WING CONSOLIDATED MISSION SUMMARY REPORT - - - -

VIII A.F.               F.O. 1446A - - - - - - - 24 DECEMBER 1944

A.4^TH FIGHTER GROUP,     COL DAYHUFF LEADING “A” GROUP
CAPT NORLEY LEADING “B” GROUP
B. 73 P51S UP DEBDEN 1107, 64 DOWN RAYDON
2 DOWN WATTISHAM, 1 DOWN WORMINGFORD
C. 6
D. PEN/TGT/W/D/ SUPPORT 3 C GPS-1^ST DIV B-17S
E. NIL
F. NIL
G. NIL
H. 1-1-0 (AIR)
I. L/F IN OSTEND – 1242 HRS – 15000 FT AND R/V MADE WITH TARDY BOMBERS
10 MILES EAST LIEGE – 1307 HRS – 20000 FT. ESCORT PROVIDED THRU TARGET
(BOMBS AWAY 1450 HRS, WITH GOOD RESULTS) ANE W/D AT L/F, OSTEND -
1555 HRS – 16000 FT.
J. NIL
K. 1. U/I P-51, WITH NO MARKINGS, SEEN TO CLOBBER ANOTHER U/I
P-51 NEAR OBERWESAL (WEST WEISBADEN). SHIP CAUGHT FIRE AND
PILOT BAILED OK.
2. 2 ME262’S STOOGING WEST KOLN.
2 U/I BLOW JOBS STOOGING FRANKFURT AREA.
3. WHITE SPINNERED P-51S, BLACK “W” ON TAIL, SEEN STOOGING
NEAR TARGET AREA.
4. APPARENTLY GOOD BOMBING RESULTS.
L. LONE ME109 TRAVELING ON DECK WEST OF GIESSEN DESTROYED AND ANOTHER
ENGAGED AT 20000 FT, SAME AREA PROBABLY DESTROYED.
NO OTHER E/A SEEN.
M. MEAGRE, INACCURATE HEAVY FLAK AT TARGET.
N. DID NOT AFFECT MISSION.
O. NIL
BT
P. CLAIMS (AIR) 335 SQDN.
1-0-0 ME 109 LT WILROOT
0-1-0 ME 109 LT GREEN.

1. 56^TH FIGHTER GROUP, COL. SCHILLING LEADING.
2. 50 P-47’S (15-63^RD; 16-61^ST; 19-62^ND ). TIME UP : 133; TIME DOWN:
1534. ONE DOWN ON CONTINENT.
3. 4 EARLY RETURNS.
4. F.O. NO. 1446-A, MEW CONTROL.
5. -8. NIL.
9. SHORTLY AFTER L/F KNOCKE, 1240 HRS., 23,000, NUTHOUSE VECTORED
S.W. KOBLENZ BUT UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY BANDITS. THEN VECTORED N.
KOBLENZ SAME RESULTS. PATROLLED KOBLENZ-FRANKFURT-HANAU AREA
UNEVENTFULLY. LEFT FRANKFURT AREA 1420 HRS.
10. NIL.
11. (A) BOTH RAIL AND ROAD TRAFFIC RHINE VALLEY ESPECIALLY KOBLENZ
AND FRANKFURT PARTICULARLY HEAVY.
(B) SMKE SCREEN S. KOBKLENZ W. OF RHINE.
(C) B-17 DOWN 1315 HRS., S.E. KOBLENZ, NO CHUTES.
(D) 2 U/I A/C CRASHED INTO GROUND AND EXPLODED SIEGEN, 1345 HRS.
(E) BONN A/D ACCURATELY HIT BY BOMBERS, SEVERAL CRATERS.
(F) SEVERAL LARGE FIRES S.E. AACHEN.
(G) B-17 ESCORTED BACK MID-CHANNEL FROM AACHEN AREA, AND CRIPPLED
B-17 TAKEN INTO MANSTON.
(H) MANY BARGES RHINE RIVER.
12. WHILE ON VECTOR BY NUTHOUSE FOR SUPPOSEDLY LARGE CONCENTRATION E/A,
GROUP PASSED UP 1 ME 109 S.W. KOBLENZ AND 1 ME. 109 N.W. KOBLENZ
15,000 FT. 4 POSSIBLE JET CONTRAILS 1315 HRS., W. KOBLENZ
25,000 FT.
13. AACHEN – HEAVY, MODERATE, ACCURATE.
KOBLENZ – HEAVY MODERATE, ACCURATE AIMED ONLY AT BOMBERS.
14. NIL.
15. NUTHOUSE TRANSMISSIONS FADED FROM R5 TO R1 DURING MESSAGES.

1. 355^TH FIGHTER GP.        MAJOR ELDER LEADING “A” GROUP.
MAJOR GRAHAM LEADING “B” GROUP.
2. “A” GROUP 35 P-51S (25-357, 10-358) UP 1438 DOWN WATTISHAM 1745
“B” GROUP 30 P-51S (20-345, 10-358) UP 1428 DOWN WATTISHAM 1745.
3. NIL.
4. MEW SWEEP, FO 1446A, HQ 8^TH AF
5. THRU 8 NIL.
9. “A” GROUP L/F WALCHEREN IS 1540/19,000. VECTORED TO
AMSTERDAM APPROX 1600/19,000 TO AACH, SOUTH TO NORTHERN
SECTION DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG. L/F OUT N. DUNKIRK
1650/14,000.
“B” GROUP. GENERALLY SAME AS “A”, EXCEPT APPROX TEN MINUTES
AHEAD.
10. NIL.
11. ONE CHUTE FALLING INTO WATER OFF POINT OF WALCHEREN IS.
DRIFTING SOUTHWEST 1540/19,000.
12. THRU 15 NIL.

1. 479^TH FIGHTER GROUP LT.COL RIDDLE LEADING “A” GROUP
MAJOR JEFFREY LEADING “B” GROUP.
2. “A” GROUP 32 P51S (20-435 SQ) (12-436 SQ) UP 1054 DOWN 1620
“B” GROUP 29 P51S (17-434 SQ) (12-436 SQ) UP 1100 DOWN 1600
3. 6
4. 8 AF F.O. 1446A. PEN/TGT/WDRAW SUPPORT 3BD TO ZELLHAUSEN
5. NIL.
6. 1 BELLIED IN BETWEEN BRUGES AND KNOCKE. NAT “E”.
7. NIL.
8. 2-0-0 FW 190 (AIR)
9. “A” GROUP R/V 1200/25000 BRUSSELS. GAGGLES OF BOGIES
REPORTED SE LIEGE AND GROUP SPLIT TO INVESTIGATE. SCATTERED
ELEMENTS VECTORED TO MALMEDY AND FRANKFURT, THEREAFTER
PROCEEDING HOMEWARD BY FLIGHTS. PART OF GROUP SATYED WITH
VARIOUS B-17S UNTIL 1330/23000, 20 MILES SE GIESSEN.

“B” GROUP R/V 1200/17000 BRUGES. 1225 NUTHOUSE VECTORED
GROUP UP AHEAD ASSIGNED BOMBERS TO HELP FIRST BOX WHICH
WAS UNDER ATTACK BY 40 E/A, BUT FIGHT WAS OVER WHEN GROUP
ARRIVED. THEREAFTER PROVIDED GENERAL ESCORT TO B-17S UNTIL
1445/25000 W STUTTGART.
10. NIL.
11. A. 4 B-17S SHOT DOWN VICINITY KOLN 1230/15000. BY ONE
12 PLUS CHUTES. ONE B-17 BELLIED IN SAME
AREA.
B. , 529 U/I FIGHTERS COLLIDED VICINITY KOLN 1230/15000.
NO CHUTES.
C. BALLOONS AT KOBLENZ (14 AT WF8803, 8 IN CITYOL
D. SMOKE SCREEN ALONG DOCKS AT WEISBADEN.
E. 12-15 BOMBERS AND MANY CHUTES SEEN GOING DOWN FROM
E/A OR FLAK ATTACK BETWEEN 1245-1300 ALONG RHINE BELOW
COBLENZ. TOO FAR AWAY FOR ACCURATE OBSERVATIONS.
12.
A. 1230/15000 15 MILES SE LIEGE SINGLE FW 190 SEEN
ATTACKING B-17S IN DISTANCE, APPEARANTLY SHOOTING DOWN
FOUR. THIS FW CAUGHT AND DESTROYED.
B. 3 ME 262S SIGHTED 1245/31000 SW KOBLENZ BUT UNABLE ENGAGE.
C. 1230/20000 E LIEGE BOUNCED 4 FW 190S WHICH ROLLED OVER,
ONE FAILING TO PULL OUT, CRASHED AND BURNED.
13. KOBLENZ – HEAVY INTENSE ACCURATE.
25 MILES N HANAU HEAVY MEAGER INACCURATE 15,000.
14. HAZE ON DECK.
15. 1220 VINEGROVE 1-1 REPORTED ATTACKED BY 40 PLUS E/A AND
WERE UNABLE TO RAISE BALANCE 1-1.
16. A. NIL

B. LT. JOHN EARLY 436^TH SQ BELLIED IN BETWEEN KNOCKE AND
BRUGES. AFTER LANDED, REPORTED ON R/T THAT HE WAS
OKAY.
CAPT. GRASSHOFF, LTS. DERBY, KLINEMAN, WITZEL, 436 SQ
ALL OKAY AT BRUSSELS CAPT GATES, 434 SQ, DOWN OKAY
ST. TROND.
C. 1-0-0 FW 190 LT COL. RIDDLE AND LT HOFFMAN
1-0-0 FW 190 LT. N.W. BUTLER

55^th FG, 353^rd FG, 357^TH FG

IAH V OIPNT OIWOD NR 4 OPOP

FROM OIWOD 24/2145A
TO      OISAS
OIPNT (ATTN: DIO)
OIAWW
IAH (ATTN: DIO – AEAF BATTLE ROOM)

BT
CONFIDENTIAL

A. 55^TH FIGHTER GROUP    -A- COLONEL CROWELL (HQ) LEADING.
-B- LT. COL. JONES (HQ) LEADING.
B. “A” 34 P-51’S (16-38 17-343) UP 1100 DOWN 1450.
C. 2
D. 8^TH AF F.O. 1446A – SUPPORT OF 3^RD DIV. B-17’S – BOMBING AIRFIELDS.
E. 3 NYR – 2 TO E/A, 1 MID-AIR COLLISION WITH 357 A/C.
F. NIL
G. 1^ST LT. K.W. GRIFFITH                        (338) MIA
2^ND LT. K.J. MIX             (343) MIA. (MID-AIR COLLISION)
2^ND LT. W.C. KLANK JR. (38) MIA (FLYING WITH SCOUT FORCE)
H. 13-0-6 S/E AIR GROUP
3-0-1 S/E AIR SCOUTING FORCE
I. RVED AT BRUSSELS AT 1200/20,000 FEET WITH VINEGROVE 1-4, 1-5, 1-6,
B-17’S OF THE THIRD DIVISION FLYING GOOD FORMATION, ESCORTING
THROUGH TARGET, AND BREAKING OFF IN VICINITY OF HEIDELBERG AT
1400, DUE TO HAVING DROPPED TANKS WHEN BOUNCED BY SPITS IN FRANK-
FURT AREA. ON WITHDRAWL AT 1420, 5 LOCOS WERE CLOBBERED, AND 30
GOOD WAGONS SOMEWHAT DAMAGED. “A” GROUP WERE HEAVILY ENGAGED 1240,
RETURNED BECAUSE OF GAS SHORTAGE AFTER FIGHT.
J. NIL
K. (1) 8 T/E JETS SHADOWING AND SPOTTING BOMBER SHOW FROM FRONT
LINES TO ENGAGEMENT AREA. REMAINED HIGH AND OUT OF RANGE.
L. THERE WERE STILL A FEW HEINIES FOR THE LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS, BEING
PRANGED AS FOLLOWS:
AROUND 1235-1240, NUTHOUSE CALLED IN RATS-HEINIE RATS -
APPROACHING THE FRONT BOX OF BIG FRIENDS FROM THE NORTHEAST, WHICH
PLACED THE BOMBERS SLIGHTLY E OF THE FRONT LINE AROUND ST VITH.
GROUP APPROACHED FROM SW AND E/A WERE OBSERVED IN THE DISTANCE
ATTACKING VIOLENTLY FROM THE DOWN SUN SIDE. ON ARRIVAL IN THE
AREA THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 15 SCATTERED E/A LEFT, ONE FLIGHT OF
4 READYING THEMSELVES FOR SECONDS ON THE BIG FRIENDS. HELLCAT
ATTACKED AND DESTROYED TWO BUT WERE IN TURN BOUNCED BY 4 109’S, THE
LATTER ATTACKING AGGRESSIVELY AND DETERMINEDLY DOWN TO THE DECK.
SAME PLACE ONE 190 JOCKEYING FOR A SNEAK ATTACK FROM 5 O-CLOCK
LEVEL ON BOMBERS WAS IN TURN UP ON AND CLOBBERED. A
RUNAWAY 190 WAS SIGHTED AT 13,000 FEET AND PRANGED IN THE SAME
AREA. THREE MORE LONE KRAUTS WERE SIGHTED AT 10,000 FEET
BUT IN THE ENSUING BOUNCE, 8 MUSTANGS OF ANOTHER GROUP BOUNCED US,
RESULTING IN THE MID-AIR COLLISION. HOWEVER SEVERAL A/C CONTINUED
BOUNCE DESTROYING ALL THREE E/A ON THE DECK. SEVERAL MUSTANGS
ON DECK, CLOBBERED A 109 AS HE HURRIED HOME, AND OUTFOUGHT AND
BUT-TURNED HIS TEAMATE, A 190, WHO CRASHED IN A FIELD. NORTH
OF FRANKFURT AT 1415, A LONE 109 AT 1,000 FEET WAS SEEN PURSUED BY
51’S WHO OVERSHOT, WE CLOSED, AND E/A ROLLED OVER AND CRASHED.
ENROUTE OUT NEAR VOGELSBURG, TWO 190’S WITH WHEELS AND FLAPS
DOWN IN THE LANDING PATTERN WERE SURPRISED AND DESTROYED. 5 P-51’S
ON WAY OUT SIGHTED ABOUT 20 190’S WITH TANKS FLYING FLIGHTS OF 4
LINE ABREAST. E/A DROPPED TANKS ON ATTACK AND FLIGHT MADE TWO
COMPLETE TURNS THRU GAGGLE FOR CLAIMS OF 2-0-4.

3^RD SCOUTING FORCE: WHILE STOOG ATA 17,000 FEET IN DARMSTADT-FRANKFURT
AREA, AT ABOUT 1415, OBSERVING THE BOMBING RESULTS, 4 ME 109’S
WERE SIGHTED, BELOW IN A GENTLE DIVE AND IN A 4 SHIP FLIGHT,
LIKE OUR OWN. KODAK RED 3 AND 4 DROPPED TANKS, ATTACKED, AND
CLOBBERED E/A NO’S 3 AND 4. E/A LEADER PULLED UP AND ONTO TAIL OF
RED 4, BUT WAS LIKEWISE DESTROYED. THEN 4 – 190’S
SLIGHTLY ABOVE AND UP SUN. MADE PASS THRU THE MUSTANGS, WHICH
TURNED INTO THEM AND DISPERSED E/A.
M. NOTHING TO SAY.
N. NOTHING TO SAY.
O. AIR COLLISION DATA:

TUDOR SQUADRON WAS IN A SLIGHT DRIVING BOUNCE FROM 23,000 IN
THE GENERAL ENGAGEMENT AREA WHEN 8 P-51’S (357 GP) BOUNCED
SQUADRON FROM 9 O-CLOCK HIGH. TUDOR YELLOW BROKE TO PORT AND
UP, AS DID THE OTHER GROUPS A/C, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A STRAGGLER
WHO WAS PUSHING HIS NOSE UP AND DOWN APPARENTLY HAVING TROUBLE
IN DECIDING WHICH WAY TO GO. HE RAN DIRECTLY INTO LT. MIX’S
A/C. ANOTHER TUDOR A/C OBSERVED THE ENGINE TO BE PUSHED BACK
INTO THE FUSELAGE, AND THE RIGHT WING TORN OFF.
NO CHUTES SEEN IN AREA.

BT
TOD…………24/2253A HH AR
OIPNT R…….
IMI LINES 16 AND 18 UNDER L IN THE PARA
THREE MORE LONE KRAUTS WERE SIGHTED AT 10,000 FEET
BUT IN THE ENSUING BOUNCE, 8 MUSTANGS OF ANOTHER GROUP BOUNCED US,
RESULTING IN THE MID-AIR COLLISION. HOWEVER SEVERAL A/C CONTINUED
BOUNCE DESTROYING ALL

JF AR
IAH R…………….2355/24 EJD AR BBBBB

OIPNT V OISAS NR OIRDN 6/24 –OP OP
OIPNT T: OIAWW IAH

FROM: OIRDN 24.2005A DEC 44
TO:     OI AS, OIPNT, OIAWW, IAH.
BT

CONFIDENTIAL OIRDN D-64-D.

MISSION SUMMARY REPORT 24 DECEMBER 1944

A. 353^RD FIGHTER GROUP, LT COL BAILEY LEADING “A” GP
MAJOR JUNTTILA LEADING “B” GP
B. 68 P51’S   (35-“A” 11-350, 12-351, 12-352 SQDN) UP 1118 DOWN 1646
(33-“B” 10-350, 11-351, 12-352 SQDN) UP 1125 DOWN 1706
C. 2 (1-“A”, 1-“B”)
D. ESCORT 10^TH THRU 13^TH CG’S 1^ST FORCE (3^RD DIV B17S)
REF 8^TH AF FO 1446A TARGET: BIBLIS A/F
E. 1 P51 NYR
F. NIL
G. LT HIGHTSHOE, 350 SQDN NYR. REASON UNKNOWN. LAST SEEN EAST OF
KOBLENZ IN COMBAT
H. 7-0-0 S/E AIR
I. “A” AND “B” GPS MADE L/F IN 1158 HRS NORTH OF OSTEND AT 18,000 FT.
R/V EAST OF BRUSSELS 1220 HRS 22,000 FT WITH OUR BOMBERS BUT
VECTORED BY NUTHOUSE TO LEAD COMBAT GROUP WHICH WAS BEING ATTACKED.
ARRIVED TOO LATE TO SAVE SOME OF BOMBERS. “B” GROUP RETURNED TO
ASSIGNED CGPS AND SELDOM SQDN WERE THEN BOUNCED BY 12 ME 109S AT
1350 HRS. ENGAGEMENT TOOK PLACE BETWEEN KOBLENZ AND LIMBURG FROM
15,000 TO 2,000 FT RESULTING IN 5 OF THE ABOVE CLAIMS. AFTER EN-
GAGEMENT W/D AT 1400 HRS MAKING L/F OUT 1430 HRS OSTEND AT 17,000’
JOCKEY “B” SQDN CONTINUED ESCORT TO A/D AT BIBLIS AND KAISERSLAUTERN
M/Y. BULLRING FLIGHT JOCKEY “B” BOUNCED BY 2 ME 109’S AND PROMPTLY
DESTROYED E/A. W/D BOMBERS VIC GHENT 1600 AT 12,000. L/F OUT
NIEUPORT 1605, 10,000’.
“A” GROUP ON BABENHAUSEN AND GROSS OSTHEIM A/D AT 1415. W/D VIC ST
VITH AND MADE SWEEP NORTHEAST WITHOUT INCIDENT. L/F OUT 1605 SOUTH
OSTEND 6,000’.
J. NIL.
K. 1.               SEVEN B 17’S DOWN SW KOBLENZ DUE TO E/A.
15 CHUTES SEEN.
2.               1 B-17 DOWN SE KOBLENZ – FLAK – 4 CHUTES.
3.                V/G 1-7 CALLED GP COMDR FOR ESCORT OUT – COULD NOT BE LOCATED.
4.               V/G 1-12 CALLED 1445, BOMBER HIT BY FLAK – LOCATED BY
FIGHTERS BUT OK.
5.                “C” CHANNEL JAMMED 1345 – 1445 HRS.
6.               BOMBING RESULTS: BABENHAUSEN – GOOD.  HITS ON FIELD AND NORTH-
WEST DISPERSAL. GROSS OSTHEIM – FAIR. HITS IN LANDING AREA AND
WOODED DISPERSALS. BIBLIS – GOOD. HITS IN LANDING AREAS. ALSO
HITS IN TOWN AND M/Y.
7.                YELLOW NOSE P-51 KNOCKED DOWN BY E/A EAST KOBLENZ.
8.               THANKS A MILLION TO THE 361^ST PILOT WHO SHOT A JERRY OFF CAPT
WINDER’S TAIL.
L. 1.               U/I NUMBER E/A ATTACKED BOMBERS SOUTH OF KOBLENZ.
2.               2 ME 109’S ENGAGED VIC BONN - KOBLENZ – AGGRESSIVE.
3.                12 ME 109’S ENGAGED VIC KOBLENZ – LIMBURG AT 1350 FROM 15,000
DOWN TO 2,000. AGGRESSIVE.
4.               APPROX 20 S/E E/A BOUNCED “B” GROUP VIC BAD MAUHEIM BUT HIT
FOR DECK WHEN TURNED INTO.
M. 1.              INTENSE HVY – ACCURATE PREDICTION TYPE ALONG BOMBER COURSE SOUTH
KOBLENZ TO BAD MAUHEIM.
2.               HVY – MEAGRE – INACC – WORMS.
3.                HVY – MOD – ACC – KAISERSLAUTEM.
4.               HVY – MOD – INACC – 5010 . 0620.
N. GOOD WEATHER WITH GROUND HAZE THOUGH ENOUGH FOR VISUAL BOMBING AND
GOOD OBSERVATIONS. OK AT BASE
O. EARLIER R/V WOULD HAVE PREVENTED SEVERAL BOMBER LOSSES AND RESULTED
IN MORE E/A DESTROYED.

BT
TOD &2107A REB BB
V
OIPNT          R……242105A   ZMB   K

OIPNT V OISAS NR OIRDN 1/24   -OP OP-
OIPNT T: OIAWW IAH

FROM             OIRDN 24/1837A                 DEC. 44.
TO                   OISAS            OIPNT             OIAWW    IAH
BT

CONFIDENTIAL OIRDN D59D MISSION SUMMARY REPORT

A. 353^RD “C” GROUP, LT HAYNES LEADING.
B. 7 P 51S (4-350, 3-351 SQDN) UP 1236 DOWN 1611
C. NIL
D. ESCORT 2 P.R.U. A/C – LEIPZIG
E. NIL
F. NIL
G. NIL
H. 1-0-0 (AIR)
I. L/F IN SOUTH NOORDWAAL – 1300 HRS – 25000 FT AND PROCEEDED ON COURSE.
COMBAT WITH 6 ME 109’S IN VICINITY OF WEIMAR – 1430 HRS – 30000 FT.
L/F OUT KNOCKE – 1550 HRS – 25000 FT.
J. NIL
K. 1.               P.R.U. SHIP REPORTED HEAVY GROUND HAZE IN TARGET AREA
PREVENTING SNAPPING PIX.
2.               ROCKET – OSNABRUCK AREA – 1405 HRS – 45000 FT.
3.                4/5 I/I BLOW JOBS SEEN STOOGING NORTH OF KASSEL – NO ATTACKS.
L. 6 ME 109’S SEEN FORMING UP APPROX 5 MINUTES BEFORE COMBAT.
NEXT OBSERVED FLYING FROM EAST (WEIMAR AREA) 32000 FT – WHERE THEY
MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN
ND 6 O’CLOCK ATTACK, SINGLY AND IN TWO’S.
THESE E/A ENGAGED FOR ABOVE CLAIM AND P.R.U. A/C UNMOLESTED.
M. NIL
N. HIGH CIRRUS TO 30000 FT WITH GROUND HAZE BECOMING HEAVIER AS TARGET
APPROACHED.
O. NIL

BT
TOD…..1922A   JEB   B(1)

OIPNT    R………………241922A   ZMB K

OIPNT V OISAS NR OIRDN                        5/24 – OP OP -
OIPNT T:  OIALW IAH

FROM OIRDN 24/1927A DEC 44
TO OISAS OIPNT OIAWW IAH
BT

CONFIDENTIAL OIRDN D63D MISSION SUMMARY REPORT

A. 353^RD “D” FIGHTER GROUP, CAPT EANES LEADING.
B. 4 P-51S (4-352 SQDN) UP 1246 DOWN 1635.
C. 2
D. ESCORT PRU P-38 – HANNOVER, MAGDEBURG
E. THRU H. NIL
I. L/F IN ZANDVOORT – 1345 HRS – 23000 FT AND PROCEEDED ON COURSE,
25000 FT, WITH PRU SHIP COVERING HANNOVER AND MAGDEBURG TARGETS.
L/F OUT ZANDVOORT 1605 HRS – 22000 FT.
J. NIL
K. 2 ROCKETS FROM RUHR – 1406 AND 1529 HRS – USUAL CHARACTERISTICS.
L. NIL
M. NIL
N. GOOD THOUGH SOME GROUND HAZE.
O. NIL.

VOT
TOD…..&1948A
REB    R    K
OIPNT    R….241949A   ZMB  AR

OIPNT V OISAS NR OILES  3/24 – OP  OP -
OIPNT T: OIAWW IAH

FROM OILES 24/1900A.
TO      OISAS
OIPNT (ATTN: D.I.O.)
OIAWW
IAH     (ATTN: AEAF BATTLE ROOM)

BT

CONFIDENTIAL OILES D32D.

A. 357^TH (A) FIGHTER GROUP. MAJOR PETERSON LEADING.
B. 51 P-51S. (26-362, 25-364). UP 1130. DOWN 1635.
C. 4. (2 ESCORT).
D. HEAVY BOMBER ESCORT. 8^TH A.F. F.O. 1446A.
E. 3 NYR.      LT. GILBERT AND LT. MOONEY LAST SEEN VICINITY FULDA, 1425.
LT. HOWES LANDED A-83.
H. S/E 23-0-0 AIR.
I. L/F 1217 KNOCKE 22,000. R/VLAST 4 GROUPS FIRST FORCE 1230 BRUSSELS
25,000. L/B 1420 WEST OF FULDA TO ENGAGE E/A. L/F 1600 WALCHEREN
14,000.
J. NIL.
K. 1.               B-17 ON FIRE FROM FLAK SOUTH OF KOBLENZ. NO CHUTES.
2.               B-17 DOWN TARGET AREA 1305. NO CHUTES.
3.                CHUTE AT 5,000 VICINITY KOBLENZ OBSERVED AT 1400. NO PLANE IN
VICINITY.
4.               A PILOT FROM THIS GROUP BAILED OUT OF A BURNING PLANE IN
COMBAT AREA.
L. 60/70 FW 190S AND ME 109S AT 26,000 WITH 40/50 GIVING TOP COVER WERE
INTERCEPTED IN VICINITY OF FULDA BEFORE REACHING BOMBERS. ENEMY
WAS FLYING IN FLIGHTS OF FOUR WITH FLIGHTS IN CLOSE TRAIL FORMATION.
AS WE ENGAGED, THEY TURNED SHARPLY TRYING TO CLOSE IN A LUFBERRY
OF FLIGHTS. WE ATTACKED BEFORE MANEUVER WAS COMPLETED. ENEMY WAS
AGGRESSIVE BUT NO OTHER IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY OF
PILOTS WAS NOTED.
M. FRANKFORT – HEAVY, MEAGER, INACCURATE.
N. C A V U
O. BOMBER FORMATION AND INTERVAL GOOD.

VBT
TOD….1935A     JEB   BB

OIPNT   R….241949A    ZMB   K

OIPNT V OISAS OILES  NR 01/24    OPOP
OIPNT T: OIAWW IAH

FROM OILES    241725A.
TO     OISAS
OIPNT (ATTN: D.I.O.)
OIAWW
IAH (ATTN: D.I.O. AEAF BATTLE ROOM)

BT
CONFIDENTIAL OILES D30D.

A. 357^TH (B) FIGHTER GROUP. LT. COL. DREGNE LEADING.
B. 25 P-51S. (25-363) UP 1105. DOWN 1435.
C. 1.
D. HEAVY BOMBER ESCORT, 8^TH A.F. F.O. 1446A
E. 2 NYR. 1 LANDED A-70. 1 DOWN IN FLAMES MID-AIR COLLISION.
F. NIL.
G. 1 M.I.A. LT. HELWIG COLLIDED WITH U/I P-51 AT 1240 TEN MILES NORTH
OF DAUN (4WL3677). BOTH PLANES WENT DOWN IN FLAMES. NO CHUTES.
1 NYR, CAPT. FOY, LANDED A-70.
H. S/E 8-0-0 (AIR)
I. L/F 1149 KNOCKE 21,000. R/V FIRST THREE GROUPS FIRST FORCE 1212
NORTH OF NAMUR 24,000. AFTER ENGAGEMENT WITH E/A W. OF KOBLENZ
FOUR FLIGHTS HAD INSUFFICIENT GAS TO CONTINUE. TWO FLIGHT
PROCEEDED WITH BOMBERS THROUGH TARGET BREAKING ESCORT 1300 E. OF
FRANKFURT 24,000. L/F OUT 1412 N. WALCHEREN 17,000.
J. NIL.
K. 1. L-5 HIT IN WING TIP AT 1250, LANDED SAFELY APPROXIMATELY 20
MILES W. ARLON.
2. 7 BOMBERS SEEN GOING DOWN IN FLAMES WEISBADEN AREA 1300.
L. 15 PLUS S/E E/A IN SINGLES AND PAIRS PREPARING FOR ATTACK ON
BOMBERS, WITH 20 PLUS U/I A/C ABOVE THEM, WERE ENCOUNTERED
25 MILES W. OF KOBLENZ 1240 HOURS AND ENGAGED AT 28,000 FT. WITH
RESULTS NOTED. 1 ME 262 SEEN 10 MILES N. OF NAMUR AT 25,000.
2 ME 262S SEEN OVER DUSSELDORF AT 1345 HOURS AT 12,000 AND 28,000
RESPECTIVELY, CHASED BY P-51S.
M. GIESSEN – HEAVY, MODERATE, INACCURATE.
N. CAVU. SLIGHT HAZE TO 15,000.
O. BOMBER FORMATION GOOD.

BT
TOD…………..24/1758A    HH    BBBBBBBBBBB

20^th FG, 359^TH FG, 356^TH FG, 364^th FG

OIPNT V OIWTH NR OIKNG 3/24 OPOP
OIPNT T IAH OIAJX OIAWW

FROM OIKNG 24/2305A DEC. 1944
TO      OIWTH
OIPNT
OIAJX
OIAWW
IAH

CONFIDENTIAL SEND IN CLEAR
OIKNG D39D

BT

AMENDMENT TO MISSION SUMMARY REPORT, 20^TH FIGHTER GROUP
F.09 1446A, 24 DECEMBER 1944. ;

-. 20^TH FIGHTER GROUP, LT. COL. GUSTKE LEADING.

0. 79 P-51S : (24-55^TH) (27-77^TH) (28-79^TH) UP 1153 DOWN 1655
(71 DOWN AT WORMINGFORD; 2 DOWN HONINGTON; 1 DOWN WATTON
1 DOWN RAF STATION NEAR WORMINGFORD; 2 DOWN LEGACY) ;

:. 2 P-51S

D. 8^TH AF F.O. 1446A, ESCORT 2^ND FORCE, 1^ST DIV.

E. THRU H. NIL

I. SAME AS REPORT FROM OIWOD 24/2050A

BT
MA AR
OIPNT R…………-5…..242344A    JF    AR      0

OIPNT V OIWTH NR OIKNG 1/24   -OPOP-
OIPNT T OIAJX OIAWW IAH

FROM OIKNG 24/1715A DEC. 1944
TO OIWTH
OIPNT
OIAJX
OIAWW
IAH

CONFIDENTIAL SEND IN CLEAR
OIKNG D37D
MISSION SUMMARY REPORT

A. 20^TH FIGHTER GROUP   A. OP - - LT.COL. GUSTKE LEADING
B. GP - - MAJ. MEYER LEADING

B. 79 P51S (24 – 55^TH) (27 – 77^TH) (28 – 79^TH) UP 1153 DOWN 1650

C. NIL

D. F.O. 1446A – 2^ND FORCE – 1^ST DIV. – MERZHAUSEN A/F

E. THROUGH H. NIL

I. 1. R/V NW OF BRUSSELS 1315 AT 25,000 FT. WITH VINEGROVE 2-12,
2-13 AND 2-14 VISUALLY IDENTIFIED. ESCORTED UNEVENTFULLY TO
TO TGT. 1438 AT 25,000 FT. AND BACK TO BELG. COAST. L/BS 135,
15,000 FT. A GROUP VECTORED BY NUTHOUSE BUT SAW NO E/A.
ALL A/C SENT TO WORMINGFORD ON RETURN.

2. UNKNOWN

3. NIL

BT
T.O.D….1748A
KB (BBB)

OIPNT R …. ..240748A DEC 44    MB     KKK

OIPNT OIWTH V OISAS NR OIWOD 03/24  -OP 0P
OIPNT T: OIAWW  IAH
OIWTH T: OIKNG

FROM OIWOD 24/2050A
VTO   OISAS
OIPNT (ATTN DIO)
OIAWW
IAH     (ATTN : DIO – AEAF BTTLE ROOM)
OIKNG
OIWTH

BT

CONFIDENTIAL

A. 20^TH FIGHTER GROUP LT.COL. GUSKE LEADING.
B. 70 P-51’S DOWN AT WORMINGFORD (22 – 55 SQ) (23 – 77 SQ) (25 – 79 SQ)
UP 1143 DOWN 1655.
C. UNKNOWN
D. 8^TH AF F.O. 1446A – BOMBER ESCORT.
E. THRU G. UNKNOWN.
H. NIL
I. L/F IN ZEEBRUGGE 1300/23,000 FEET, R/V 1312/22,000 FEET AT NAMUR WITH
LAST 3 CW’S OF 2^ND FORCE. ESCORTED THROUGH TARGET 1500/25,000
FEET AND OUT BREAKING OFF AT L/F OUT, ZEEBRUGGE, 1550/19,000 FEET.
“A” GROUP BROKE OFF FROM BOMBERS SHORTLY AFTER R/V AND SWEPT AHEAD,
BEING VECTORED BY NUTHOUSE TO BONN  WITHOUT RESULTS. THEN
PATROLLED THE RHINE AREA BETWEEN BONN AND KOBLENZ FROM 28,000
FEET TO DECK WITHOUT INCIDENT. 3 ME 109’S WERE SIGHTED NEAR
COLOGNE 1445 AND PURSUED BY PRIMOSE WHITE FLIGHT FROM 20,000
TO 25,000 IN CLIMB BUT COULD NOT BE CAUGHT.

OBSERVATIONS -       1 B-24 DOWN TARGET AREA 1500 – NO CHUTES.
1 B-17 STRAGGLER DOWNED BY FLAK SE OF KOBLENZ, 1515
6 CHUTES.
1 B-17 CRASHED NEAR MALMEDY 1540 – 5 CHUTES.

VERY MEAGER, INACCURATE, HEAVY FLAK IN TARGET
AREA.
BT
TOD…..2120A     JEB     AR    K

OIPNT       R……..21/18// 24 A   AG AR

FROM OIPNT 24/1908A DEC 44
TO UOQ
BT

FROM      OIWRE 24/1815A DECEMBER 1944
TO           OIWTH
INFO       OIPNT (ATTENTION A-2)
OIPNT PASS TO OIAJX OIAWW
IAH (DIO AEAF BATTLE ROOM)

BT
CONFIDENTIAL SEND IN CLEAR

MISSION REPORT SUMMARY NUMBER 269    24 DEC 44

A. 359^TH FIGHTER GROUP, LT COL JOHN P. RANDOLPH LEADING A GP, MAJOR
NIVEN K. CRANFILL LEADING B GP

B. A GP 40 P-51S (370 – 25, 369 – 15) UP 1135 DOWN 1641
B GP 36 P-51S (368 – 24, 369 – 12) UP 1140 DOWN 1639

C. A GP TWO
B GP TWO

D. RAMROD PEN-TGT-DWL, 8AF FO 1446A, HATTANROD A/F, VINEGROVE 2-1,
2-2

E. 2 P-51S LOST,  1 TO E/A, 1 CAUSE UNKNOWN

F. NIL

G. 1^ST LT RAY A. BOYD, 368 SQ, MISSING IN ACTION, BELIEVED SHOT
DOWN BONN, 1520; 2^ND LT BRYCE H. THOMSON, NYR, BAILED OUT 1415,
4 MI S LIEGE, LANDED IN TREES, CONDITIONS UNKNOWN.

H. 12-0-3 (S/E, AIR)

I. R/V 1245 S E BRUSSELS VISUALLY IDENTIFIED 381 AND 398 GPS,
EXCELLENT FORMATION, 20-22,000. TOT 1432, VISUAL , 26,000 FT.
B GP L/B BLANKENBERGHE 1540, 15,000 FT, A GP L/B 1515 BLANKENHEIN
WHEN VECTORED AWAY BY NUTHOUSE.

OBSERVATIONS

1. 1450, S. OF BONN, 1 ME 262 MADE HALF HEARTED PASS AT B-17S;
BROKE OFF WHEN SINGLE P-51 TURNED INTO HIM.
2. 1 ME 1O9 BEING CHASED BY 2 P-51S, 1420, SW OF KOBLENZ.
3. SEVERAL JET, BRUSSELS TO TARGET AREA, GENERALLY AT 35000 FEET.
4. 1 RAF BOMBER EXPLODED COLOGNE AREA 1500. 2 OR 3 CHUTES.
5. U/I FIGHTER SPUN DOWN FROM 20000 FEET TO 10000 FEET AT 1515,
15 MILES W. OF COBLENZ.
6. 1 B-17 SPUN DOWN AND CRASHED, 1335, 20 MILES SW OF BONN.
NO CHUTES SEEN.
7. 1330-1500, CONSIDERABLE RR TRAFFIC ON GIESSEN-LIMBURG-COBLENZ
R/R, MOVING E. AND W.
8. 1330-1500, CONSIDERABLE RR TRAFFIC ON BONN-COBLENZ
R/R, ALONG RHINE R, MOVING N AND S.
9. LT WONG REPORTED SMOKE IN COCKPIT, LOSING ALTITUDE, AND ON
COURSE OF 270 DEGREES. LAST SEEN IN LAACHER SEE AREA.

FLAK:

20 MILES W. OF COBLENZ – HEAVY, MODERATE, ACCURATE. INCLUDED 2
RED BURSTS.

BT

MA BBBB
OIPNT R……….241922A   ZMB  K

OIPNT V OIWTH NR OIMTS 1/24 OPOP
OIPNT T IAH OIAWW OIAJX

FROM OIMTS 24/1840A DEC 1944
TO      OIWTH
IAH (DIO AEAF BATTLE ROOM)
OIPNT (ATTN A-2)
OIAJX
OIAWW

BT

US CONFIDENTIAL MTS D13D        24 DECEMBER 1944.
ATTENTION A-2       MISSION SUMMARY REPORT.

A. 356^TH FIGHTER GROUP, LT.COL. DONALD A. BACCUS LEADING “A” GROUP
CAPT. BERTRUM E. ELLINGSON LEADING “B” GROUP.
B. “A” GROUP – 35 P-51S (11-359, 24-361) UP 1157, DOWN 1635.
“B” GROUP – 34 P51S   (10-359, 24-360) UP 1205, DOWN 1636.
C. 2 (INCLUDING 1 TO ESCORT).
D. ESCORT TO 2^ND FORCE (1^ST DIV B-17S), PENETRATION, TARGET,
AND WITHDRAWAL SUPPORT, F.O. 1446-A.
E. 1. LAST SEEN VICINITY LAACHER SEE. REASON UNKNOWN.
F. NIL.
G. 2^ND LT. ARTHUR WONG. N.Y.R.
H. NIL.
I. “A” GROUP MADE R/V WITH 2^ND FORCE, 1247, N. OF OSTEND, 24000
FEET. SWEPT N. OF BOMBER TRACK, AND PATROLLED COBLENZ -
FRANKFURT – MARBURG AREA, 1330 – 1500 HOURS. PORTION OF “A” GROUP
PICKED UP 9 CWS OF UNESCORTED B-24S BEING TRAILED BY T/E JET,
AND ESCORTED TO LIEGE AREA, WHERE LEFT AT 1510.
“B” GROUP’S R/V DIFFICULT TO FIX AS ASSIGNED BOMBERS APPARENTLY
FROM 10 TO 40 MINUTES LATE, AND WERE PICKED UP BY UNITS OF “B”
GROUP FROM 1328 TO 1400 BETWEEN LIEGE AND NAMUR. FIGHTER COVER
NECESSARILY THIN. ESCORTED THRU TARGET TO COAST, LEAVING BOMBERS
1555 AT OSTEND. GROUP LEADER CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY BOMBERS
SHOULD BE 10-40 MINUTES LATE AND IN SUCH EXTREMELY POOR FORMATION
IN CAVU WEATHER.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. NUTHOUSE CONTROL RATED AS SUPERIOR, ….. US DIRECTLY TO 12-
20 FW-190S AND MAYBE SOME 109S OVER BONN, HEADED E, AT 16,000 FT
1530. IN COMBAT GOT 10-0-3 FOR ONE. E/A AGGRESSIVE, ONLY ONE
SPLIT-ESSING.
2. ON WAY IN, CLOSE ESCORT FLIGHT DESTROYED BOTH OF TWO 190S
ATTACKING ABORTING STRAGGLER NR VOGELSANG, 1345-1400, 18,000.
3. ME-262 SHADOWER 145 AT 28,000 GOING E, KOBLENZ.
4. 20 MI N OF OUR TGT, A/F CAMOUFLAGED LIKE WHEATFIELD IN WOODS HAD
20 U/I A/C ON IT. A/F UNMOLESTED.
5. BOMB RESULTS ON HATTANROD DECLARED SPECTACULARLY GOOD, REMARKABLE
CONCENTRATION ON L/G WITH FIVE LARGE FIRES AROUND SAME. PARKED
A/C SEEN HIT.
6. 2 B-17S SEEN DITCHED IN CHANNEL, FIRST 1620 ABOUT 5MI OFF OSTEND,
ASR PLANES NR, OTHER ONE 5 MINS FARTHER OUT TO SEA.
7. ONE U/I BOMBER EXPLODED 1450, 22,000, N OF DORSEL.

FLAK

MEAGRE OVER TGT, AS USUAL ALONG RHINE.

BT

MA BBBBB

TOD 2030A     AG     BBBK
UOQ R…………2031A    SW      KK

FROM OIHON 24/1800A   DEC 44
TO      OIWTH ATTENTION A-2
OIPNT (PASS TO OIAJX AND OIAWW)
IAH (DIO AEAF BATTLE ROOM)

BT

SEND CONFIDENTIAL IN THE CLEAR
364 F GP D11D

MISSION SUMMARY REPORT

A. 364^TH FIGHTER GP.       MAJOR STAPLETON LEADING A GROUP
MAJOR WICKLER LEADING B GROUP
B. “A” GP. 38 P-51’S (13-383, 13-384, 12-385) UP 1135 DOWN 1645
“B” GP. 33 P-51’S (13-383,  8-384, 12-385) UP 1127 DOWN 1635
C. 4
D. PEN. TGT, AND W/D SUPPORT, 1^ST DIV. FO 1146A OIPNT
E. 1 NYR
F. NIL.
G. F/O STINSON, 383^RD SQ BELIEVED HIT BY FLAK, COLOGNE AREA.
SAID OVER R/T HE WAS OK AND GOING TO LAND AT LEGACY.
H. NIL
I. ENTIRE GP. R/V VG 2-3 AND 2-4 IN GOOD FORMATION, VISUALLY
IDENTIFIED, 1245, SE GHENT, 21000 FT. B GP ESCORTED AROUND
TGT AND L/B 1530 ZEEBRUGGE 19000 FT. “A” GP VECTORED BY M.E.W.
IN COLOGNE-KOBLENZ AREA FROM 1445-1550 BUT NO E/A SEEN. “A”
GP CHASED ME 262, 1540, 10 MI W. KOBLENZ, HEADING 70
DEGREES BUT COULDN’TCATCH IT. BOMBING 15 MIN LATE, APPEARED
EXCELLENT.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. V2-1517, BRUSSELS AREA, GOING N.
2. B-17 SEEN TO GO DOWN IN TGT AREA, 1500. 3 CHUTES.
3. B-17 EXPLODED, 1515, KOBLENZ AREA 1 CHUTES.
4. P-51 SPUN IN AND BLEW UP, 1400, 10 MI SW KOBLENZ.
5. GLASS BALLS, 2-3 INCHES IN DIAM. SEEN AT 30000 FT IN TGT AREA.
6. SILVER WHITE OBJECT 15 MI E BRUSSELSM 1307, 20000 FT.
7. ALL SORTS OF FRIENDLY A/C SEEN.

FLAK

1. MEAGER, INACCURATE HEAVY OVER TARGET.
2. INTENSE, ACCURATE, LIGHT FROM BONN.

1^ST SCOUTING FORCE OBSERVATIONS:
1. V2 - - 1410, KASSEL AREA.

BT

TOD 2130A    AG   BBB  K
UOQ   R……..$ 2131A    SW KKK