896
19 March 1945
Object Number - UPL 19816 - "Carol Dawn" Aircraft ID 42-37805 527th BS, 379th BG, Kimbolton, England
Official Description
1,273 bombers and 675 fighters are dispatched to hit airfields and industrial targets in Germany visually and with H2X radar; clouds force 2 of the 3 forces to hit secondaries; 100+ Luftwaffe fighters including 36 Me 262s in formation (largest number of jets seen as a unit) are encountered; the AAF claims 41-3-19 Luftwaffe aircraft (including 3 Me 262s); 6 bombers and 10 fighters are lost:
1. Cloud cover prevents 496 B-17s from hitting the primary targets; secondaries hit are the optical works at Jena (197) and the motor vehicle plant at Zwickau (177); targets of opportunity are Plauen (32), the marshalling yards at Fulda (44) and Saalfeld (10) and other (4); bombing is by H2X radar with some visual attacks; they claim 1-1-2 aircraft; 4 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 121 damaged; 9 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 49 MIA. Escorting are 183 of 198 P-51s; they claim 2-0-3 aircraft; 4 P-51s are lost.
2. Cloud cover forces 404 of 436 B-17s to hit the industrial area at Plauen, the secondary target using H2X radar; targets of opportunity, bombed visually, are the Fulda marshalling yard (20) and Prissig (1); 1 B-17 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; 9 airmen are KIA, 3 WIA and 9 MIA. The escort is 141 of 153 P-51s.
3. 341 B-24s are dispatched to hit airfields at Neuburg (125) and Leipheim (84) and jet aircraft plant at Baumenheim (126) visually; 1 B-24 is lost; 11 airmen are MIA. 175 of 194 P-51s escort; they claim 5-0-0 aircraft without loss.
4. 95 of 98 P-51s fly a freelance sweep for the bombers; they claim 33-2-14 aircraft; 6 P-51s are lost.
5. 2 of 4 P-51s escort 15 F-5s and 2 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany.
Mission Details
Airfields and Industrial targets, Germany
Description: All Bomb Groups of the 8th Air Force are sent to Germany to attack airfields and industrial targets.
![Personnel of the 97th Bomb Group look out for the return of B-17 Flying Fortresses from a raid on Rouen, from the top of the Control Tower at Grafton Underwood.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Photo Supplied Photopress Central.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'USA (BRI) CCC.' [written annotation] and '216036.' [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: 'Picture shows: Aerodrome Personnel on the Control Tower watching for the return of the planes from the raid.' Handwritten captio](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379323.jpg.webp?itok=yT71Hmaq)
- Unit Hierarchy: Command
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 3,143.4
- People killed in action: 18
- People wounded in action: 8
- People missing in action: 69
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
- Aircraft sent: 1
- Aircraft effective: 1
- Aircraft missing in action: 6
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 6
- Aircraft damaged: 125
Böhlen (Primary) / Not Yet Known (Secondary) / Plauen (Tertiary) / Fulda (Opportunistic) / Prissig (Opportunistic)
Description: The Primary target for the mission was the Braunkohle-Benzin Synthetic Oil Plant in Bohlen Germany. Before the mission crews were briefed that they should only bomb visually, however when they arrived over Bohlen, they found the target covered with cloud. The situation was the same at the Secondary target of the mission (location unknown). Crews ultimately bombed the Tertiary target of Plauen using H2X Pathfinder equipment to provide visual assistance. Other targets of opportunity were bombed visually.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 9
- People wounded in action: 3
- People missing in action: 9
- Aircraft sent: 436
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
- Aircraft damaged: 4
Plauen vehicle industry
Description: The Tertiary target of Vomag Maschinenfabrik in Plauen was bombed using a the visual assistance of H2X pathfinder equipment
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The 384th Bomb Group were the only unit in the 1st Air Division to suffer a loss during this mission. B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43‑39035) flown by Second Lieutenant Robert Griffin and his crew crashed near Reigate, England while returning to base due to pilot error. The nine men on board were all killed in the crash.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 1,007.4
- People killed in action: 9
- Aircraft effective: 404
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Fulda Marshalling Yard / Prissig
Description: 20 aircraft bomb the railway marshaling yards at Fulda visually as a Target of Opportunity with 48.8 tons of bombs. 1 aircraft bombs Prissig as a Target of Opportunity with 2.5 tons of bombs.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes:
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 51.3
- Aircraft effective: 21
Neuburg (Primary) / Leipheim (Primary) / Baumenheim, (Primary)
Description: The 2nd Air Division were the only Bomb Division to carry out visual bombing of their Primary targets. 341 B-24s are dispatched to hit airfields at Neuburg and Leipheim, and the jet aircraft plant at Baumenheim visually; 1 B-24 is lost; 11 airmen are MIA. 175 of 194 P-51s escort; they claim 5-0-0 aircraft without loss.
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- People missing in action: 11
- Aircraft sent: 341
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Neuburg airfield
Description: 125 B-24s attack the airfield at Neuburg
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 44th Bomb Group Mission report: Jet Plane assembly factory at Neuberg, Germany was attacked today. Capt. Brownlowe, 67th, was credited with a Group lead, Wing and Division with the total of 33 of the 44th's aircraft. Our formation flew the briefed route until reaching the IP, where a thick haze was encountered, forcing the formation to drop 1,500 feet to get under it. All aircraft reached the objective and all bombs were released on the Primary with excellent results. Enemy opposition was nil, while our fighters furnished very good support. Five of the Group's aircraft landed on the continent . One of the 66th aircraft is MIA for unknown reasons.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 284.3
- Aircraft effective: 125
Leipheim airifeld
Description: 84 B-24s bomb the airfield at Leipheim
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 189.5
- Aircraft effective: 84
Baumenheim aviation industry
Description: 126 B-24s attack the Aviation Industry at Baumenheim
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 289.2
- Aircraft effective: 126
Not yet known (Primary) / Zwickau (Secondary) / Jena (Secondary) / Plauen (Opportunistic) / Fulda (Opportunistic) / Saalfeld (Opportunistic) / Not yet known (Opportunistic)
Description: Cloud cover prevents the 496 B-17s from the 3rd Air Division from hitting the primary targets. The 3rd Air Division are forced to use H2X radar and visual sightings to carry out attacks on the secondary targets and targets of opportunity. 197 B-17s hit the optical works at Jena, and 177 hit the motor vehicle plant at Zwickau. The targets of opportunity are: Plauen, the marshalling yards at Fulda, Saalfeld The 3rd Air Division claims 1-1-2 aircraft; 4 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 121 damaged; 9 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 49 MIA. Escorting are 183 of 198 P-51s; they claim 2-0-3 aircraft; 4 P-51s are lost.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 1321.7
- People killed in action: 9
- People wounded in action: 5
- People missing in action: 49
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
- Aircraft sent: 496
- Aircraft effective: 464
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 121
Zwickau vehicle industry
Description: 177 B-17s effectively attack motor transport industry at Zwickau
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 493.8
- Aircraft effective: 177
Jena Optical Works
Description: 197 B-17s effectively attach the optical works at Jena.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 563.1
- Aircraft effective: 197
Fighter Escort
Description: Fighters from every fighter Group except the 20th and 56th Fighter Groups are dispatched to Germany to provide escort for bombers attacking airfields and industrial targets.
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People missing in action: 9
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 40
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 17
- Aircraft sent: 675
- Aircraft effective: 623
- Aircraft missing in action: 10
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: AF 34 725 400
- Highest Rank: Chief Master Sergeant
- Role/Job: Toglier in WWII; Aircraft Maintenance until 1967 retirement
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13178814 / O-716614
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37705979
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Dynamite John
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
![An airman of the 95th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102447) nicknamed "El's Belles". First handwritten caption on reverse: 'F/L on last of 365's bases in Belgium other side "Angels Sister" [name struck-out and annotated 'No'] 365 FG C Johnson/icm/75' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'BG-A 95 BG.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379271.jpg.webp?itok=QwML6lTh)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: El's Belles
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th 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: D-Day Dottie
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Cover Girl
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner
Source: History of the 447th Bomb Group by Doyle Shields; pp. 296-297
John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner
Source: History of the 447th Bomb Group by Doyle Shields; pp. 296-297
From personal files of John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner.
From the files of John G. Huck, nephew of Edward Blattner
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by Carter / Mueller, the Office of Air Force History,
The personal collection of Lt. Billy J. Murray
Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/
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'.
