VIII Bomber Command 27A SECRET MISSION

2 January 1943

Description

4 B-24s from the 93BG/329BS have been equipped with special electronic equipment that would supposedly allow "blind bombing" of target through overcast (called "Moling") are despatched to hit targets in the Ruhr valley of Germany.

Mission Details

Essen, Germany

Description: MOLING MISSION

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 4 B-24s from the 329th Bomb Squadron have been equipped with special electronic equipment that would supposedly allow "blind bombing" of target through overcast (called ""Moling"") are despatched to hit targets in the Ruhr valley of Germany. They become the first American bombers to penetrate German airspace. As the flight approached the targets, the overcast cleared and as the pilots were instructed to not risk the special aircraft, the mission was aborted and they dropped their bombs in the North Sea before returning to base. Because of the "sensitive" nature of the mission and the fact that bombs were not dropped on a German target it was not reported in the American press or in the official mission count of the 8th Air Force.

The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.

93rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 4

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.