Sortie2BDB-24Bombed Primary
42-10578.Over Koblenz/Mosel.
Mission 647 · 25 September 1944 · Koblenz, Germany
Serial
42-10578
Unknown
Fuselage Code
YM
Squadron
409th
Ted's Traveling Circus
Takeoff
08:27
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Over Target
12:00
Landing
14:40
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Duration
6:13
Bombing Altitude
22000
Aboard
8
men
The narrative.
§ This Ship
Digman's 578-R took off at 08:27, released twelve 500-pound GPs on the lead at 12:00 from 22,000 feet on a heading of 340°, and landed at Hardwick at 14:40. Results were PFF unobserved. Sortie credit was given. Minor (A) battle damage was checked. No flak and no enemy fighters. Fighter support was good.
The crew.
§ 8 aboard
Name
Position
Serial
Hometown
On this flight
1LtJoseph E. Dignam
Pilot
Station 1
—
—
Returned
→
1LtForrest Holbrook
Co-Pilot
Station 2
—
—
Returned
→
1LtWilliam P. Homeleski
Navigator
Station 3
—
—
Returned
→
UnknownFrank L. Wathen
Engineer / Top Turret
Station 5
—
—
Returned
→
T/SgtMalcolm E. Moore
Radio Operator
Station 6
—
—
Returned
→
S/SgtLawrence R. Wilcoxon
Waist Gunner
Station 8
—
—
Returned
→
S/SgtArnold Anderson
Nose Gunner
—
—
Returned
→
S/SgtClinton R. Thornhill
Tail Gunner
Station 9
—
—
Returned
→
The load.
§ 6,000 lb aboard
AN-M64
500-pounder
12× 500 lb
TypeGeneral Purpose · TNT/Amatol
Weight6,000 lb
FuzingNose AN-M103 (1/10) · Tail AN-M101A2 (.025)
The flight.
§ Ship’s Record
The Day
Takeoff08:27
Over target12:00
Landing14:40
Time in the air6:13
Took off fromHardwick (Sta. 104)
Landed atHardwick (Sta. 104)
Bombing altitude22000
The Record
ResultBombed Primary
Sortie creditFull
Counted toward tourYes
Landing dispositionHome base
Battle damageCat. A, slight
Record confidenceValidated against a source
Formation
Formation12-ship, four 3-ship elements (T-bar)
Slot, as written4-1
Element4
SeatLead
DescribesOn the bomb run
Flew with409th Squadron
Fuel & Equipment
H2X scope photoNo
The target.
§ As Briefed
Koblenz/MoselMarshalling Yard
LocationKoblenz, Germany