Description

This mission is separated into two elements. The first element is a combined force of 183 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division: 91BG (22); 92BG (19); 303BG (20); 305BG (20); 306BG (20); 351BG (21); 379BG (21); 381BG (20); and 384BG (20) are dispatched to bomb the synthetic oil refineries at Bochum, Gelsenkirchen and Recklinghausen, Germany. This is the first daylight operation by VIII Bomber Command into the Ruhr Valley -- subsequently dubbed by bomber crews as "Happy Valley". The bombers had to fly unescorted to their targets but were met on the way out by P-47s. The formations got badly scattered on the way in and many were forced to bomb targets of opportunity due to clouds, smoke and evasive action from the high concentrations of anti-aircraft batteries protecting these targets. Both fighter opposition and flak were heavy. 133 of the bombers were effective on some target but many were not able to bomb their primary assignments. Bomber losses are significant with 23 Failing to Return (FTR) and 3 are so damaged that they are determined to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR). 384th Bomb Group (target Recklinghausen) sustains the loss of 5 aircraft. Total casualties in this formation are: 83 KIA, 49WIA, 154 POW, 1 DIC and 27 RTD (in DBRs). The bomber gunners claim 25-5-11 of the attacking German fighters.

The second element is a formation of 147 B-17s from: 94BG (21); 95BG (21); 96BG (21); 100BG (21); 385BG (21); 388BG (21); and 390BG (21) dispatched to bomb the industrial areas of Bonn, Germany. This is the first mission from 390th Bomb Group. 110 of these aircraft are effective on Bonn and other targets of opportunity in the area. Only 2 Fail to Return (FTR) - 5 KIA, 14 POW, 1 EVD. 1 from 390BG Returned to Base (RTB) but was so damaged it was declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR), all ten crewmen Returned to Duty (RTD). The bomber gunners claim 4-2-2 of attacking enemy fighters.