The briefing called for an airbase at Hall in southern Germany. The weather had other ideas. Contrails were dense and persistent from 10,000 to 25,000 feet, visibility near zero, and the formation came close to several collisions on the way in. The recall order came over Lake Constance, before the IP. The bombs went out over Germany on the navigator's own GEE readings. Results were unknown. The fighter escorts got lost in the same conditions. Back at the base, the ground crews suggested it had been the most successful mission of the war, reasoning that the smoke from the bombs would surely convince German wives to demand Hitler end things at once.
04 MARCH 1945 · SUNDAY · STATION 104Aborted
Mission 863.Schwabmunchen.
Schwabmunchen, Germany
Intended Target
Schwabmunchen
Schwabmunchen, Germany
Actual Target
Target of Opportunity
As bombed
Operating Group
93rd BG
1AD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
69 / 373
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
169.3
tons
The cost.
§ Outcome
0
Ships Lost
0
Men Bailed Out
0
Men Lost
The route.
§ Takeoff to Target
Bearing Out
122° T
Bearing In
309° T
Route Length
950 nmi
Time Aloft
6 h 50 m
Operational data.
§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille02:30
Stations05:50
Takeoff06:40
Time Over Target09:00
Return Time13:30
Distance950 nmi
Fuel Aboard2,700 gal
Fuel Consumed1,900 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetA solid frontal system from ground level up to bombing altitude — total overcast at all levels. The worst weather conditions of the tour.
Air Temp at Altitude-44 °F
Lowest Temp-44 °F
Wind Speed92 kt
Wind Direction326°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude24,500 ft
Bombing Run Heading278° True
Forming Altitude16,000 ft
Fighter Cover3 P-51 groups
Bombing AccuracyOn own GEE navigation — results unknown
Flak
Meager from front lines only
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