The fourth mission was to a tank factory at Kassel, September 27th. The route in passed Egmond, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, and Münster before reaching the target. Flak over Münster and Kassel was heavy, though inaccurate. Their aircraft came through without damage. The formation flying behind them was not as fortunate. Fighters struck the 458th Bomb Group in the rear, and 28 bombers were lost. The crew watched it happen from ahead in the formation. The return leg ran south through Göttingen, Giessen, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and Koblenz, then back out over Liège, Ghent, and Ostende. Bombing results were recorded as undetermined, relying on PFF equipment through the overcast. All crew returned safe.
27 SEPTEMBER 1944 · WEDNESDAYBombed Primary
Mission 650.Kassel/Henschel.
Kassel, Germany
Intended Target
Kassel/Henschel
Kassel, Germany
Operating Group
93rd BG
2BD
Aircraft Effective
248 / 315
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
707.5
tons
The cost.
§ Outcome
1
Ships Aborting
18
Ships Lost
2
Men Bailed Out
20
Men Lost
Operational data.
§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille02:15
Stations05:45
Takeoff06:30
Form-Up06:30
Time Over Target08:00
Return Time13:10
Distance1,148 nmi
Fuel Aboard2,500 gal
Fuel Consumed1,900 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetHeavy two-layer overcast: low stratus covering 8/10 of the sky, topped by a complete (10/10) stratocumulus layer. Near-total cloud cover throughout.
Air Temp at Altitude-18 °F
Lowest Temp-26 °F
Wind Speed98 kt
Wind Direction290°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude22,000 ft
Bombing Run Heading98° True
Forming Altitude12,000 ft
Fighter Cover3 P-51, 2 P-47, 1 P-38 groups
Bombing AccuracyPFF — results not yet known
Flak
Heavy at Munster enroute; heavy and intense at target
The formation.
§ 1 Aircraft Dispatched
Each ship that lifted off, and the men aboard her.▸ 1 ship carrying your selection
Sources.
§ Provenance
Mighty Eighth War Diary
Roger A Freeman · Jane's Publishing Company Limited · 1981
Published