Description

The German naval and port facilities at Wilhelmshaven and Emden, Germany are the two primary targets for this mission. Once again, there is a two-fold strategic objective: entice the Luftwaffe to commit its fighter forces; and further degrade the naval and port facilites supporting the German U-Boat fleet. A combined force of 98 B-17s is despatched from: 91BG (21); 303BG (19); 305BG (18); 306BG (21); and 351BG (19) to attack the harbour facilities at Kiel, Germany. The Germans know this is a high priority objective for the Allies and have no choice but to vigorously defend it. 77 of the 98 B-17s are effective on the target. The cost is high, at about 7% of the attacking force. 7 B-17s MIA. However, the bomber gunners claim 47-5-17 on the attacking fighters. 

A second combined force of 63 B-17s is despatched from: 92BG (6); 94BG (20); 95BG (15) and 96BG (22). 96BG abandoned the mission because of formation assembly problems so none of that group were able to bomb. 46 of the 63 B-17s are effective on the target. Once again the cost is high with nearly 8% of the force shot down. 5 B-17s are MIA, 3 from the 94BG, or 15%. The bomber gunners claim 31-6-6 of the attacking fighters. 

While these attacks are achieveing moderate success on the naval facilities, they are taking a toll on the Luftwaffe. However, the 7-8% loss rate among the bomber crews is of great concern, especially on the morale of the bomber crews. Based on the cumulative losses on 8th Air Force bomber crews to this date, the chances of a crew completeing 25 missions has dropped to 41.97%