Mission Details for Frankfurt (#166)

Briefing

Details

Number: 166
Date: 11/5/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Lt. Col. E. de Jonckheere
Crews Briefed: 39
Details: Railroad marshalling yards

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0725 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0740
Take Off: 0755
E.T.R.: 1424
Notes: Briefing took place at 0430 hours. Because very poor weather conditions were forecast for the return, pilots were briefed on "standoff" procedures. One aircraft could not fly because of mechanical problems, but all others were airborne by 0838 hours. Gale warnings were received at 0845. The two extra spares landed by 1135 hours. Upon return, the Group was diverted to various other airbases, but all were accounted for by 1745 hours although six remained overnight at other bases.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 39
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The 401st furnished the 94th Combat Wing "C" Group on this mission. Once again cloud cover necessitated use of PFF (radar) bombing techniques rather than visual sighting. However, breaks in the clouds permitted some visual assistance. Photos indicated that most bombs missed the immediate target, although some fell in the vicinity of the main passenger station.
No enemy aircraft were encountered, but flak at the target, while moderate, was accurate, causing major battle damage to two 401st ships and minor damage to eight others.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants