Sortie2BDB-24Bombed Primary
“Patches”.Over Koblenz/Mosel.
Mission 647 · 25 September 1944 · Koblenz, Germany
Serial
42-100334
B-24J
Fuselage Code
YM
Squadron
409th
Ted's Traveling Circus
Takeoff
08:38
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Over Target
11:54
Landing
14:45
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Duration
6:07
Bombing Altitude
22300
Aboard
8
men
The narrative.
§ This Ship
Baumann's 334-K took off at 08:38, released twelve 500-pound GPs on the primary by PFF at 11:54 from 22,300 feet on a heading of 360°, and landed at Hardwick at 14:45. Sortie credit was given. Fighter support was good. Minor frostbite is written on the killed line; wounded and missing are blank.
The crew.
§ 8 aboard
Name
Position
Serial
Hometown
On this flight
1LtLeo F. Baumann
Pilot
Station 1
O-824076
Peoria, Illinois
Killed in action
Returned
→
2LtBernard B. Abel
Co-Pilot
Station 2
—
—
Returned
→
2LtKarl Eisele
Navigator
Station 3
—
—
Interned
Returned
→
S/SgtWindell H. Hart
Engineer / Top Turret
Station 5
—
—
Returned
→
S/SgtEdward A. Rafferty
Radio Operator
Station 6
—
—
Returned
→
SgtLester S. Steves
Waist Gunner
Station 8
—
—
Returned
→
S/SgtLeo L. Henry
Tail Gunner
Station 9
36693813
WI
Returned
→
SgtDavid P. Jones
Nose Gunner
—
—
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
Takeoff08:38
Over target11:54
Landing14:45
Time in the air6:07
Took off fromHardwick (Sta. 104)
Landed atHardwick (Sta. 104)
Bombing altitude22300
The Record
ResultBombed Primary
Sortie creditFull
Counted toward tourYes
Landing dispositionHome base
Record confidenceValidated against a source
Formation
Formation12-ship, four 3-ship elements (T-bar)
Slot, as written3-2
Element3
SeatLeft wing
DescribesOn the bomb run
Flew with409th Squadron
Fuel & Equipment
H2X scope photoNo
The target.
§ As Briefed
Koblenz/MoselMarshalling Yard
LocationKoblenz, Germany