The target was a rail line southwest of Leipzig. Heavy flak was active throughout the area and one ship with ten men was lost to it. Their own aircraft came through without casualties, but a fuel check over the target told a different story. Flying A-Able, known as a gas hog, they were critically low. They left the formation and dove for lower altitude, where fuel consumption was better, and made for the continent. They put down in France at D-53 with 40 gallons remaining. The crew returned to base the following day.
23 FEBRUARY 1945 · FRIDAY · STATION 104Bombed Primary
Mission 843.Weimar.
Weimar, Germany
Intended Target
Weimar
Weimar, Germany
Operating Group
93rd BG
2AD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
57 / 368
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
135.7
tons
The cost.
§ Outcome
0
Ships Aborting
1
Ships Lost
0
Men Bailed Out
10
Men Lost
The route.
§ Takeoff to Target
Bearing Out
100° T
Bearing In
287° T
Route Length
1,150 nmi
Time Aloft
6 h 40 m
Operational data.
§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille03:45
Stations07:00
Takeoff07:40
Form-Up07:40
Time Over Target08:45
Return Time14:20
Distance1,150 nmi
Fuel Aboard2,500 gal
Fuel Consumed2,450 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetTwo stratus layers throughout the entire route: a heavy upper layer (8/10) and a moderate lower layer (5/10) — persistent multi-layer cloud cover.
Air Temp at Altitude-22 °F
Lowest Temp-22 °F
Wind Speed20 kt
Wind Direction320°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude10,000 ft
Bombing Run Heading270° True
Forming Altitude12,000 ft
Fighter Cover4 P-51 groups
Bombing AccuracyVery good
Flak
Heavy flak throughout the Leipzig area
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