Description

This mission is composed of two elements, one from 1st Air Division and the other from 2nd Air Division. A total of 436 hevay bombers are despatched. The primary target for 1st Air Division is the the ball bearing plants at Schweifurt, Germany. 2nd Air division's primary target is the German airfield at St. Dizier, France. Mission Summary follows:



1st Air Division: A combined force of 230 B-17s from: 91BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG; 401BG; and 457BG are despatched to bomb the ball bearing plants at Schweinfurt, Germany. Heavy clouds and dense contrails cause the majority of formations to attack the secondary target of the industrial area of Frankfur, Germany. 4 flights (16 aircraft) of 1st Air Division fail to take off because of a blocked perimeter track. 60 aircraft are effective on Schweinfurt and 162 are effective on Frankfurt. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR), 2 lost to a mid-air collision and 1 to enemy aircraft - 10KIA 16POW 4EVD. 3 aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR), 2 lost in chrashes on take off - 21KIA. One crashed into a hut killing 8 servicemen in the hut and 2 children in a nearby bungalow. 1 battle damaged aircraft was DBR in a crash landing upon return - 10RTD. 68 aircraft are damaged. 14 airmen in returning aircraft are KIA and 1 is WIA. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.



2nd Air Division: A combined force of 148 B-24s from: 44BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 446BG; 448BG; 453BG; 458BG; and 466BG are despatched to bomb the German airfield at St. Dizier, France. 148 are effective at St. Dizier. 33 others bomb at the German airfield of Essey at Nancy, France as a secondary target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) ditching in the North Sea, but all crew rescued by ASR - 10RTD. 24 aircraft are damaged. 3 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA. There are no other losses, causalties or claims.