Description

The port areas at Bremen and Kiel, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. This is the first mission where more than 600 aircraft are despatched. This mission is comprised of 8 elements. The first element consists 182 B-17s from: 91BG (31); 303BG (40); 379BG (43); 381BG (30); 384BG (38); 482BG (4 PFF equipped). 171 aircraft of this contingent are effective at Bremen, Germany at 1159-1206hrs. 1 battle damaged aircraft makes a crash landing at Grafton Underwood and is declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) but crew are OK 10RTD. 1 airmen is KIA and 3 others are Wounded in Action aboard aircraft that returned. 30 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this contingent make no claims on enemy aircraft.

The second element consists of 119 B-17s of 1st Bomb Division that included: 92G (28); 305BG (27); 306BG (22); 351BG (21);401BG (21); 482BG (4 PFF equipped); 106 aircraft are effective on the target at Keil, Germany. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 7KIA 3POW. No other casualties. 34 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this contingent from 1st Bomb Division claim 0-0-1 of attacking enemy aircraft.

The third element was a combined force of 119 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included:(6 PFF equipped); 44BG (24); 93BG (27); 389BG (22); 392BG (25); and 445BG (15) despatched to bomb the port area of Keil, Germany. This is the first combat mission for 445BG. 99 aircraft are effective on the target at 1245-1247hrs. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 3KIA 7POW. No other casualties. 4 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 1-0-0 of attacking German aircraft.

The fourth element consists of 121 B-17s of 3rd Bomb Division that included: 482BG (2 PFF equipped); 94BG (41); 100BG (19); 385BG (21) and 388BG (40) despatched to bomb the port areas of Keil, Germany. 112 aircraft are effective on the target at 1306-1317hrs. There are no aircraft losses, but 67 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman is KIA and 4 others aboard returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners in this element claim 6-3-11 of attacking German aircraft.

The fifth element is a composite force of 21 B-17s from 94BG & 385BG despatched to Keil, Germany. 18 aircraft are effective on the target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA 9POW. Therer are no other casualties. The bomber gunners of this element calim 0-0-2 of attacking German aircraft.

The sixth element is a composite force of 19 B-17s from 100BG & 390BG depsatched to Keil, Germany. 17 are affective on the target. There are no losses or claims.

The seventh element is a combined force of 81 B-17s from 95BG (43) and 96BG (38) despateche to bomb Keil but heavy frosting and poor visiblity frustrate the attack and this element drops on Hamburg as a target of opportunity at 1300-1305hrs. 2 Aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA 17POW. 1 aircraft with battle damage crash lands at Snetterton Heath, aircraft declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 4KIA 6RTD. 4 airmen in returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). 28 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners claim 0-0-2 of attacking German aircraft.

The eighth element is a compositie force of 21 B-17s from 96BG & 388BG and 21 B-17 from 390BG. (Force includes 2 PFF equipped B-17 from 483BG). 36 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no aircraft losses but 7 are damaged. 3 airmen are KIA and 8 others Wounded in Action (WIA) aboard returning aircraft. There are no claims on enemy aircraft.