Mission Details for Koblenz (#191)

Briefing

Details

Number: 191
Date: 1/5/1945 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Capt. J.R. Locher
Crews Briefed: 50
Details: Railroad marshalling yards

Flying Control

Runway: 33
Engines: 0800 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan33.jpg
Taxi: 0815
Take Off: 0830
E.T.R.: 1609
Notes: Briefing took place at 0500 hours. All but one aircraft, which had lost hydraulic pressure, were off by 1010 hours. One ship aborted, returning at 1234 hours, and a spare landed at 1255 hours. At 1300 hours another 401st ship landed at Polebrook with an engine out and a full bomb load. At 1620 hours, it was reported that one 401st aircraft had landed at Manston with an engine out and low on gas. All but three aircraft had returned by 1643 hours, and these were accounted for, having landed at other bases.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 50
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The 401st provided the three squadrons making up the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group plus a screening squadron assigned to drop "chaff" to disrupt enemy antiaircraft radar. The primary target was to be German fighter airfield, but because of solid cloud cover the railroad marshalling yards at Koblenze were selected. Bombing was conducted by PFF (radar) technique with unobserved results.
For the first time in a number of missions, two Luftwaffe Me-110 fighter aircraft were sighted. While they made a tentative pass at the formation, they caused no damage. Flak was encountered on three occasions, the flak over the front lines proving to be quite accurate. As a result, one 401st aircraft sustained major battle damage and eight others received minor damage. The ship piloted by Lt. F. M. Garton was forced to land in France, where his badly damaged aircraft was abandoned. Lt. R. S. Jones landed in Belgium to refuel but was able to return to Deenethorpe that night.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants
1st Lt John S. Cole Jr. Crew #2 43-38646
1st Lt John E. Fondren Crew #1 43-38125 Mary Makers
1st Lt Kenneth J. Hartsock Crew #1 43-38738 Becomin' Back
1st Lt Eugene E. Hoemann Crew #1 42-97478 Shade Ruff II
1st Lt Robert E. Jordan Crew #1 42-31730 Morning Star
1st Lt Myron L. King Crew #1 42-97395 Chute The Works
Capt Elmer W. Mercer Crew #1 44-8259 (PFF & Gee-H Ship)
1st Lt Robert E. Moran Crew #1 43-38677
1st Lt Walter L. Morton Crew #1 42-107151 Cover Girl
1st Lt Richard B. Richardson Crew #1 43-37602 Lady Vivian
1st Lt Norman L. Sisson Crew #1 42-32012 Shark Tooth
1st Lt Glenn H. St. Aubyn Crew #1 42-97322 Mister Completely
1st Lt Russell B. Thompson Crew #1 42-102659 Hard Seventeen
Capt Charles W. Utter Crew #1 42-97947 (PFF Ship)
1st Lt Wylie K. White Crew #1 43-38330 Gambler's Choice