Mission Details for Ludwigshaven (#139)

Briefing

Details

Number: 139
Date: 9/5/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Maj. J. Maupin
Crews Briefed: 40
Details: I. G. Farben chemical plant

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0650 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0705
Take Off: 0720
E.T.R.: 1447
Notes: Briefing took place at 0415; the 40 crews included one observer. All but one aircraft were airborne by 0748, and the laggard got off at 0820 and joined the Group. The three spares returned by 1101 hours, and at 1344 one of the operational aircraft returned from the mission with it rudder control having been knocked out. All other aircraft had returned by 1546 hours, one aircraft skidding off the perimeter after landing.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 40
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: On this second successive strike at the I. G. Farben works in Ludwigshaven, the 401st put up the 94th Combat Wing "B" formation, consisting of three 12 aircraft Boxes. Because of clouds in the target area, bombing was again carried out using PFF (radar) techniques, but results were observed through breaks in the clouds and were reported to be good.
While no enemy fighters appeared, flak again was intense and accurate. As a result 25 aircraft received battle damage, although none of it was major.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants