Mission Details for Ludwigshaven (#76)

Briefing

Details

Number: 76
Date: 5/27/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Lt. Col. A.C. Brooks
Crews Briefed: 38
Details: Railroad marshalling yards

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0630 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0645
Take Off: 0700
E.T.R.: 1420
Notes: The Group was briefed at 0330 hours. At 0543 all times were moved ahead by one hour, and all operational aircraft were airborne by 0906 hours. At 1353 401st B-17 piloted by Lt. W. J. Kelly, was reported to have landed at Friston with its radio operator badly wounded and the ship badly damaged. All other aircraft were back by 1556.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 38
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The 401st furnished the Lead and Low Boxes (18 each) of the 94th Combat Wing, all under the command of Lt. Col. Brooks. Bombing was visual, although there was considerable haze. While the Group's bombs missed the assigned MPI, most fell within the yards, and direct hits were scored on a roundhouse, oil storage tank and tracks. Enemy fighters were active in the area, but none hit the 401st. Likewise, flak over the target was intense and accurate, but no Group aircraft were lost. (See flying control notes concerning wounded airman and damaged aircraft.)

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants