Description

This mission was intended to be a massive attack of 307 B-17s on the railroad facilities and waterway (canals) at Munster, Germany. This attack was to be supported by a diversion 39 B-24s. The formation was attacked by hundreds of German fighters which caused the formations to break-up and some Bomb Groups were forced to bomb targets of opportunity. The summary is as follows: 

The largest formation was of 133 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups: 94BG (21); 95BG (20); 96BG (21); 100BG (14); 385BG (19); 388BG (19); and 390BG (19). This formation was intercepted by swarms of German fighters, literally hundreds. 119 aircraft were effective on the target but losses were significant. 29 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) and 1 aircraft was ditched into the North Sea - 74KIA 213POW; 5EVD 10 RTD (Rescued by ASR). 1 other returning aircraft was Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 10RTD. 56 aircraft were damaged. 1 airman in a returning aircraft was KIA and 14 were Wounded in Action (WIA). 95th BG was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for their actions in leading the raid. 390BG set the all-time record for German fighters destroyed on a single mission with a score of 60-6-8 of the attacking German fighters. All tolled the bomber gunners of this formation claimed 177-20-49 of attacking German fighters. While this total is probably exaggerated, it is a fact that the bomber gunners did significant damage to the Luftwaffe on this attack. 

A second formation of 139 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division Bomb Groups was also directed to bomb at Munster, Germany, but the smoke, fire, ground haze and carnage from the attack by 3rd BD caused many in this formation to diver to targets of opportunity. The attacks made were as follows: 
31 aircraft from: 91BG (10); 351BG (17) and 381BG (6) flew to Munster where 19 were effective on the target. These did not face the furious onslaught of German fighters and the fighter escort was very successful in protecting the bombers. Only 1 aircraft of this formation Failed to Return( FTR) 1KIA 8POW; 13 aircraft were damaged. 4 airmen in this formation were Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners claimed 4-1-2 of attacking German fighters. 
75 aircraft from: 92BG (19); 306BG (18); 303BG (20); and 384BG (18) diverted to attack the industrial areas of Coesfled, Germany. 68 were effective on this target. 30 aircraft were damaged. 1 airmen in a returning aircraft was KIA. There were no claims in this formation. 
33 aircraft from: 305BG (16) and 379BG (17) diverted to attempt to bomb the German airfield at Enschede, Holland, but the bombs fell wide and hit the town killing 155 civilians. 3 aircraft were damaged. The bomber gunners claims 2-0-0 of attacking German aircraft. 

The third formation of this mission was a formation of 39 B-24s from: 44BG (19); 93BG (9) and 389BG (11) dispatched to fly a diversion for the formations attacking at Munster. There were no losses or claims. 

This was a very rough day for 8th Air Force with the loss of 30 aircraft, but the 183-21-51 score of the bomber gunners was impressive even if exaggerated. The Luftwaffe very definitely got a "bloody nose" on this one.