Description

German naval facilities and port areas at Bremen, Germany and Kiel, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. A formation of 151 B-17s despatched from: 91BG (21); 92BG (17); 303BG (27); 305BG (24); 306BG (28); 351BG (21); and 379BG (13) are to bomb the U-Boat pens and naval facilities at Bremen, Germany. 20 aircraft from this formation drop on targets of opportunity in the Bremen area. 122 of the 151 despatched are effective on a target. Flak and fighter opposition is moderate. 4 B-17s are MIA. Bomber gunners claim 2-2-1 of enemy aircraft.

A second formation of 76 B-17s is despatched from: 94BG (26); 95BG (26); and 96BG (24) to bomb the naval facilities and port area of Kiel, Germany. 16 of these aircraft bomb targets of opportunity in the Kiel area. 60 of the 76 B-17s despatched are effective on a target. Flak and fighter opposition is fierce and 22 (28.9%) of the attacking force are MIA, the greatest loss for the 8th AF. The 95BG sustains the highest loss (10 MIA) of heavy bombers on a single mission thus far in the War. Brig Gen Nathan B. Forrest, Commanding Officer of 95BG is killed. The bomber gunners claim 39-5-14 of the enemy fighters.

This mission was the first and the last time the 95BG used the "Forrest formation" where aircraft were lined up in flat formation, wing tip to wing tip, as opposed to the standard box formation used by the eighth air force during that period.