Description

This mission was directed at targets in Norway. It was composed of three elements. The first element was a combined force of 189 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 384BG (21); 303BG (20); 379BG (22); 351BG (20); 91BG (20); 381BG (22); 305BG (23); 92BG (21); and 306BG (20) dispatched to bomb the molybdenum mine at Knaben, Norway. Neither the complement from 303BG or 91BG were able to find the target due to the nature of the terrain and the cover of snow and ice. 130 aircraft were effective on the target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 9POW 1EVD; 7 aircraft were damaged; 1 airman in a returning aircraft was Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners claim 2-0-4 of attacking German fighters. B-17F 41-24605 "Knock-out Dropper", 303BG/359BS becomes the first heavy bomber to complete 50 missions.



The second element is a combined force of 160 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 385BG (20); 94BG (20); 388BG (19); 96BG (40); 95BG (20); 100BG (21); and 390BG (20) dispatched to bomb the hydro-electric power plant at Rjukan, Norway that the Germans were using to produce heavy water. 147 aircraft were effective on the target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 10KIA and 1 aircraft sustained an engine fire shortly after take-off, was abandoned and crashed at Tannington, UK 2KIA 8RTD. 2 other aircraft were dmaged. the bomber gunners of this element claim 2-0-0 of attacking German aircraft.



The third element was a combined force of 39 B-36s from 2nd Bomb Division that included: 93BG (14); 389BG (4); 44BG (3); 392BG (18) also dispatched to bomb the heavy water plant at Rjukan, Norway. 29 aircraft were effective on the target. There are no losses or claims.