Finding Aid · Mission Log
17 MARCH 1945 · SATURDAY · STATION 104

Mission 892

Munster
Bombed Primary
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
ROUTE PLATE · TAKEOFF → TARGET
TAKEOFF · HARDWICKTARGET · MUNSTER
Bearing Out
95° T
Bearing In
280° T
Route Length
948 nmi
Time Aloft
6 h 20 m
§ Outcome
0
Ships Aborting
0
Ships Lost
0
Men Bailed Out
0
Men Lost
§ Times & Distance
Reveille
02:00
Stations
09:45
Takeoff
10:25
Form-Up
06:20
Return Time
16:45
Distance
948 nmi
Fuel Aboard
2,500 gal
Fuel Consumed
1,900 gal
§ Weather
Cloud En-Route to Target
Heavy 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 Speed
75 kt
Wind Direction
360°
§ Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude
29,000 ft
Bombing Run Heading
164° True
Forming Altitude
10,000 ft
Fighter Cover
2 P-51 groups
Bombing Accuracy
Very good
Flak Description

Not much for the lead group — crews behind them 'caught hell'

§ Sorties · 1 Aircraft Dispatched

Each ship that lifted off, and the men aboard her.

1 ship carrying your selection
Unknown · 42-50543 · AG · 330th SQDN
Bombed Primary

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.

Sources

Mighty Eighth War Diary
Published
Roger A Freeman · Jane's Publishing Company Limited · 1981