Description

The industrial areas in the suburbs of Berlin, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. All three Air Divisions despatch formations. However, the despatch from 2nd Air Division aborted the mission because of severe weather in the assembly area. 3 B-17 groups turned back at the French coast because weather prevented the proper assembly for the attack. Many of the formations turned back over the Ruhr valley and sought out Targets of Opportunity (TOs). The 3rd Air Division, 13 Combat Wing (95BG; 100BG and 390BG) carried on and bombed the primary targets at Berlin, the first American bombers to do so. 305BG/422BS also dropped 1,027,000 leaflets on Cologne, Germany. Mission Summary follows:



1st Air Division: A composite force of 264 B-17s from: 91BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG; 401BG; 457BG; and 482BG are despatched. These Groups were unable to reach the primary targets at Berlin because of severe weather and assembly problems and sought out Targets of Opportunity (TOs) in the industrial areas of the Ruhr valley. 100 were effective on Bonn, Germany; 44 were effective on Dusseldorf, Germany; 38 were effective on Cologne, Germany; and 7 others bombed at Frankfurt, Germany. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 8 KIA, 26 POW (1 DIC), 5 EVD. 89 aircraft were damaged. 1 airman was KIA and 7 others WIA aboard returning aircraft. There were no other losses, casualties or claims in this element.



2nd Air Division: All Bomb Groups dispatched B-24s but the formations were forced to abort the mission because of severe weather during assembly. There are no losses, claims or casualties in this element.



3rd Air Division: 238 B-17s from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG; and 452BG are dispatched. 30 aircraft are effective on Berlin/Klein Machnow; 33 aircraft attack Targets of Opportunity. The 95BG is the first American Bomb Group to drop bombs on the Germany capital and the Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC), its third and the only 8th Air Force Bomb group to earn 3 DUCs. 10 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 20 KIA, 66 POW, 15 EVD. Freeman reports 1 FTR from 385BG but no records or MACRS could be found to confirm that loss. 1 aircraft sustained an equipment malfunction and crash landed at Friston, UK, aircraft DBR - 1 KOM, 9 RTD. 1 aircraft is damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 6-2-3 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.