Description

The missions of VIII Bomber Command are becoming more sophisticated. The primary stratgic target for today is the U-Boat pens, marshalling yards and Luftwaffe airfield at Emden, Germany. The resistance of Luftwaffe fighters is a primary concern for the planners, but they realise that the bombers are the only way to get the Luftwaffe to commit their resources.

The overall plan is to despatch 116 American P-47s from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG on a sweep of the Dutch coast in the Rotterdam/Amsterdam area well in front of the bomber streams as the first part of the coordinated attack (see VIII Fighter Command FO-19 for details).

The second element in the coordinated plan is the despatch of 113 B-17s from: 91BG (25); 92BG (10); 303BG (24); 305BG (30); and 306BG (19) to attack the naval facilities at Heligoland Island and the Luftwaffe airfields at Wangerooge and Dune Islands. 305BG and 306BG form together as a composite group. While the targets do have some strategic value, the idea is that his force will draw away the fighter defenses that would come against the Emden effort. As part of this deception 19 B-17s from 351BG will break off to attack the harbour faciliities at Wilhelmshaven. The plan works well even though only 76 of the 113 aircraft despatched are effective on their targets. Aircraft losses are moderate at 5 MIA. The bomber gunners in this formation claim 29-30-30 on enemy fighters

The first element helped the 351BG on their attack on Wilhelmshaven allowing 18 of the 19 despatched to bomb at Wilhelmshaven with 1 aircraft MIA. This Group claims 3-0-0 on German fighters.

61 B-17s are despatched against the main strategic target of Emden by the newer 8AF Bomb Groups: 94BG (26); 95BG (12); and 96BG (23). The lead bombardier of 94BG makes an error and that Group's bombs fall short. 41 of the 61 aircraft despatched are effective on the target, but there are NO B-17 losses in this formation. Fighter resistance is light-moderate and the bomber gunners claim 14-3-1.