DOCUMENT 53514
401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 241, 4 Apr 1945, Unterlüss, Germany. Briefing was again scheduled for the early hour of 0250. All operational aircraft were airborne by 0705 hours, and since there were no aborts the two spares returned early. The 401st furnished the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group for this mission, the primary target being the airdrome and engine testing shop at Rotenburg, Germany. However, cloud cover precluded visual sighting, and the Group therefore searched for other airfields to bomb as targets of opportunity. The Lead and High Squadrons were unable to locate an appropriate target and returned with their bombs. However, the Low Squadron bombed an ordnance depot at Unterluss, Germany, causing extensive damage, although lack of target photographs made it difficult to interpret the bomb fall. No enemy aircraft were encountered and, while flak was observed in three different locations, none of the Group's ships was damaged. All aircraft had landed from the mission by 1518 hours.
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Dynamite John
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Farmer's Daughter
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron 615th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Baby Lu, Grin N Bear It
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Ice Cold Katy
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Cover Girl
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
Locations
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Benefield
Mission
- Date: 4 April 1945