A short mission to the marshalling yards at Rheine, just over the German lines in support of ground troops. Flak was meager and confined to the target area. Two German transport aircraft were spotted. No battle damage, no fighters. Bombing results were assessed as very good. All crew safe.
09 MARCH 1945 · FRIDAY · STATION 104Bombed Primary
Mission 875.Münster M/Y.
Münster, Germany
Intended Target
Münster M/Y
Münster, Germany
Operating Group
93rd BG
2AD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
97 / 282
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
234.8
tons
The cost.
§ Outcome
2
Ships Aborting
0
Ships Lost
0
Men Bailed Out
0
Men Lost
The route.
§ Takeoff to Target
Bearing Out
95° T
Bearing In
280° T
Route Length
800 nmi
Time Aloft
5 h 15 m
Operational data.
§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille02:00
Stations05:45
Takeoff06:30
Form-Up05:15
Time Over Target08:00
Return Time11:45
Distance800 nmi
Fuel Aboard2,500 gal
Fuel Consumed1,250 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetMostly cloudy: stratus covering 7/10 of the sky — significant cloud cover but not total.
Air Temp at Altitude-24 °F
Lowest Temp-24 °F
Wind Speed73 kt
Wind Direction335°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude22,000 ft
Bombing Run Heading156° True
Forming Altitude15,000 ft
Fighter Cover4 P-51 groups
Bombing AccuracyVery good — GH system bombing
Flak
Meager at target only
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