Hardwick SkiesStation 104 · 93rd Bomb GroupAdd to the Record
03 FEBRUARY 1945 · SATURDAY · STATION 104Bombed Primary

Mission 817.Magdeburg/Rothensee.

Magdeburg, Germany

Intended Target
Magdeburg/Rothensee
Magdeburg, Germany
Operating Group
93rd BG
2AD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
116 / 434
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
269
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
277° T
Route Length
950 nmi

Operational data.

§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille03:30
Return Time15:45
Distance950 nmi
Fuel Consumed2,300 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetStratocumulus clouds throughout the route — low, lumpy/rolling cloud; coverage level unrecorded.
Air Temp at Altitude-40 °F
Lowest Temp-40 °F
Wind Speed50 kt
Wind Direction270°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude22,500 ft
Bombing Run Heading85° True
Fighter Cover4 P-51 groups
Bombing AccuracyFair
Flak

Moderate flak

Debrief notes.

§ Group Debrief
The second mission against Magdeburg's oil refinery — only 75 miles short of Berlin — was conducted at 22,500 feet through stratocumulus cloud in -40°C air. Moderate flak and no fighter opposition made it one of the more manageable deep-penetration missions; bombing results were fair. No aircraft or men were lost.

The formation.

§ 32 Aircraft Dispatched

Each ship that lifted off, and the men aboard her.▸ 1 ship carrying your selection

“Solid Comfort”
Bombed Primary
42-50501-M · 330th Sq.
P1LtWalter F. HughesRTN
CPLtDouglas A. SchetterRTN
N2LtLouis H. WindsorRTN
B2LtRalph HendershotRTN
E-TTSgtConway ThorstensonRTN
ROT/SgtNorbert L. EcclesfieldRTN
WGSgtMichael J. KusnirRTN
WGT/SgtRobert E. LeeKIA
TGSgtBoyd L. JusticeRTN

The next mission returned to Magdeburg, 75 miles short of Berlin. It was their second time to that target. Flak was moderate, one hole in the aircraft, all planes returned safely. Fair bombing results. Not as difficult as the first Magdeburg raid, but not a milk run either.

View sortie for “Solid Comfort”

Sources.

§ Provenance
Load List
2nd Air Division · 2nd Air Division Digital Archive · 1944
Official record
Mighty Eighth War Diary
Roger A Freeman · Jane's Publishing Company Limited · 1981
Published