Mission Details for Merseburg (#180)

Briefing

Details

Number: 180
Date: 12/12/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Maj. R.J. White
Crews Briefed: 39
Details: I.G. Farben synthetic oil facilities

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0725 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0740
Take Off: 0755
E.T.R.: 1642
Notes: Briefing took place at 0430 hours. Loading was 2,600 gallons of gas and twelve 500 pound bombs. It was noted that the crosswind would be 50 degrees at 15 mph. All operational aircraft were airborne by 0833 hours; one aircraft aborted and two spares also returned early, as planned. All aircraft but one had landed "in very poor weather conditions" by 1726 hours, and that ship was reported to have landed safely at Grafton Underwood with oil pressure trouble.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 39
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The 401st again furnished three squadrons making up the 94th Combat Wing "B" Group. Because of solid undercast, bombing was again conducted using PFF (radar) methods. While no strike photos could be taken, the "Mickey" scope photos did show that the lead PFF operator had obtained a "shack" on the assigned target. No enemy fighters were encountered, and flak was light. Two Group aircraft received minor flak damage.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants