The twelfth mission targeted the canal locks at Minden. The route came in over the coast, through Zwolle, Hengelo, Münster, and Lemgo. The return passed Steinhude Lake and Dümmer Lake. Hughes again flew on the flight deck. Mobile flak was active at Münster and Osnabrück along the route, though none reached the formation over Minden itself. Three jets were spotted in the area. Four aircraft were seen going down. All 93rd Bomb Group ships returned, with one flak hole in the bomb bay. Crew safe.
06 NOVEMBER 1944 · MONDAY · STATION 104Bombed Primary
Mission 704.Minden/Mittelland Canal.
Minden, Germany
Intended Target
Minden/Mittelland Canal
Minden, Germany
Operating Group
93rd BG
2BD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
204 / 358
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
651.5
tons
The cost.
§ Outcome
0
Ships Aborting
0
Ships Lost
0
Men Bailed Out
0
Men Lost
The route.
§ Takeoff to Target
Bearing Out
89° T
Bearing In
275° T
Route Length
920 nmi
Time Aloft
5 h 55 m
Operational data.
§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille04:00
Stations07:00
Takeoff07:45
Form-Up05:55
Time Over Target08:45
Return Time13:40
Distance920 nmi
Fuel Aboard2,500 gal
Fuel Consumed1,900 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetTwo light cloud layers: stratus and stratocumulus each covering about 3/10 of the sky — less than a third occupied by each layer; mostly flyable.
Air Temp at Altitude-13 °F
Lowest Temp-42 °F
Wind Speed71 kt
Wind Direction250°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude18,000 ft
Bombing Run Heading78° True
Forming Altitude12,000 ft
Fighter Cover4 P-51 groups
Bombing AccuracyResults unknown
Flak
Mobile flak batteries at Munster and Osnabruck; none at target
The formation.
§ 1 Aircraft Dispatched
Each ship that lifted off, and the men aboard her.
Sources.
§ Provenance
Mighty Eighth War Diary
Roger A Freeman · Jane's Publishing Company Limited · 1981
Published