The 33rd mission on April 4th targeted an airfield at Pachen. No flak, but jet fighters found them again. Two hundred were reported in the area. The attack lasted roughly 40 minutes. Lee in the nose and Thorstenson in the top turret were firing throughout, the whole aircraft shaking when the fighters closed in. Lee hit one. No damage to the aircraft, all crew safe. Two men on the crew finished their tours that day.
04 APRIL 1945 · WEDNESDAY · STATION 104Bombed Primary
Mission 926.Parchim A/F.
Parchim, Germany
Intended Target
Parchim A/F
Parchim, Germany
Operating Group
93rd BG
2AD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
33 / 438
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
87
tons
The cost.
§ Outcome
0
Ships Aborting
0
Ships Lost
0
Men Bailed Out
0
Men Lost
The route.
§ Takeoff to Target
Bearing Out
77° T
Bearing In
266° T
Route Length
1,200 nmi
Time Aloft
7 h 45 m
Operational data.
§ From the Debrief
Times & Distance
Reveille01:30
Stations05:15
Takeoff06:00
Form-Up07:45
Time Over Target07:00
Return Time13:45
Distance1,200 nmi
Fuel Aboard2,700 gal
Fuel Consumed1,900 gal
Weather
Cloud En-Route to TargetClear skies with good visibility throughout the route.
Air Temp at Altitude-20 °F
Lowest Temp-24 °F
Wind Speed63 kt
Wind Direction270°
Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude18,000 ft
Bombing Run Heading95° True
Forming Altitude6,000 ft
Fighter Cover2 P-51, 1 P-47 groups
Bombing AccuracyFair
Flak
None at target; 50 guns at Stonchi enroute
The formation.
§ 2 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