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24 MARCH 1945 · SATURDAY · STATION 104

Mission 911

Nordhorn
Bombed Primary
Intended Target
Nordhorn
Nordhorn, Netherlands
Operating Group
93rd BG
2AD
Takeoff Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Landing Base
Hardwick
Station 104
Aircraft Effective
58 / 480
effective / dispatched
Bomb Tonnage
121.7
tons
ROUTE PLATE · TAKEOFF → TARGET
TAKEOFF · HARDWICK✛TARGET · NORDHORN
Bearing Out
88° T
Bearing In
273° T
Route Length
850 nmi
Time Aloft
6 h 05 m
§ Outcome
0
Ships Aborting
1
Ships Lost
0
Men Bailed Out
5
Men Lost
§ Times & Distance
Reveille
04:30
Stations
07:35
Takeoff
09:10
Form-Up
06:05
Time Over Target
10:00
Return Time
15:15
Distance
850 nmi
Fuel Aboard
2,500 gal
Fuel Consumed
1,500 gal
§ Weather
Cloud En-Route to Target
Completely clear — the navigator recorded it as 'clear as hell.' The formation flew in full view of the Rhine crossing below.
Air Temp at Altitude
48 °F
Lowest Temp
48 °F
Wind Speed
12 kt
Wind Direction
166°
§ Bombing & Defense
Bombing Altitude
50 ft
Bombing Run Heading
48° True
Forming Altitude
3,000 ft
Fighter Cover
Area cover only
Bombing Accuracy
Supply drop in center area — three passes required
Flak Description

Small arms and 88mm fire from the ground; one piece of flak lodged in an engine

§ Sorties · 30 Aircraft Dispatched

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

▸ 1 ship carrying your selection
Unknown · XX-XX697 · GO · 328th SQDN

Flown by 329th Bombardment Squadron

Unknown · XX-50487 · AG · 330th SQDN
Bombed Primary

For several weeks the group had been practicing low-level formation flying, sometimes as low as 100 feet. The preparations were for Montgomery's Rhine crossing. Allied Headquarters had kept the entire area blanketed in military smoke to conceal the buildup from aerial observation. The crew could see it from hundreds of miles away. When the day came, the aircraft was loaded with parachute-equipped supply canisters in the bomb bay and a basket of blankets hung in the ball turret well, suspended on a quick-release toggle. At briefing the crew picked up an additional member: the official 8th Air Force photographer. The mission called for a nine-ship company front formation at 75 feet, nine aircraft flying tip to tip, with the crew in the deputy lead position on the right wing of the squadron lead. The high right flight held some 200 feet above. They came up on the Rhine on a clear day to find a massive flotilla of landing craft ferrying tanks, trucks, and men across the river. Ahead, smoke and fires marked the drop area. Individuals on the ground were firing up at them. The gunners returned fire. The bomb bay malfunctioned. They circled and made a second pass, then a third, before the canisters finally pulled free. Below them, gliders and C-47s lay crashed and burning. Men hung dead in their harnesses. By the third run they were the only aircraft left over the area, and every German gun that could reach them was trying to. Small arms fire hit the aircraft. One ship was lost from the larger force. The photographer shot thirteen pictures that day. The pilot later saw six of them.

Unknown · XX-XX579 · GO · 328th SQDN

Flown by 329th Bombardment Squadron

Sources

Load List
Official record
2nd Air Division · 2nd Air Division Digital Archive · 1944
Mighty Eighth War Diary
Published
Roger A Freeman · Jane's Publishing Company Limited · 1981