Mission Details for Bielfeld (#161)

Briefing

Details

Number: 161
Date: 10/26/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Maj. A.H. Chapman
Crews Briefed: 39
Details: German army ordinance and supply depot

Flying Control

Runway: 5
Engines: 0930 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan05.jpg
Taxi: 0945
Take Off: 1000
E.T.R.: 1620
Notes: Briefing took place at 0630 hours. Because of poor weather all times were delayed 30 minutes, during which the Airdrome was RED. When the field was open, all aircraft but one were able to take off by 1056. That crew changed to a ground spare, but by the time it was ready for takeoff the field was closed again.
Two spares returned early as planned, and despite the likelihood of a diversion, all aircraft were able to return to Deenthorpe by 1708 hours.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 38
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The Group provided the 94th Combat Wing "C" unit, putting up three 12 ship squadrons. Once again heavy cloud cover necessitated bombing by PFF (Radar), with unobserved results. No enemy aircraft were encountered, and flak was meager, so no 401st aircraft were lost or suffered battle damage.
Only 66 of the 1,225 bombers sent out over Germany received battle damage on this mission, and none were shot down. However, two B-17's of the 452nd Bomb Group collided in mid-air, killing both crews.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants