On March 17th the crew returned to Hannover, targeting the tank and locomotive works. The day was perfectly clear and they were the first group in. Partway down the bomb run something struck the aircraft and lifted it clean out of position. The shell bursts were the largest the pilot had ever seen, some visible to the naked eye before they detonated. Most flak came from above; these guns were firing from 5,000 feet below. Their own aircraft took no battle damage. The groups behind them caught the worst of it. Bombing results were assessed as very good.
17 MARCH 1945 · SATURDAY · STATION 104Bombed Primary
Mission 892.Munster.
Munster, Germany
Intended Target
Munster
Munster, Germany
Operating Group
93rd BG
2AD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
170 / 352
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
420.3
tons
The cost.
§ Outcome
0
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
948 nmi
Time Aloft
6 h 20 m
Operational data.
§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille02:00
Stations09:45
Takeoff10:25
Form-Up06:20
Return Time16:45
Distance948 nmi
Fuel Aboard2,500 gal
Fuel Consumed1,900 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetHeavy stratus (8/10) — 80% of the sky obscured by a low, flat cloud layer.
Air Temp at Altitude-35 °F
Lowest Temp-35 °F
Wind Speed75 kt
Wind Direction360°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude29,000 ft
Bombing Run Heading164° True
Forming Altitude10,000 ft
Fighter Cover2 P-51 groups
Bombing AccuracyVery good
Flak
Not much for the lead group — crews behind them 'caught hell'
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