Mission Details for Heilbron (#219)

Briefing

Details

Number: 219
Date: 3/1/1945 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Col. B.K. Voorhees
Crews Briefed: 40
Details: Railroad marshalling yards

Flying Control

Runway: 28
Engines: 0920 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan28.jpg
Taxi: 0935
Take Off: 0950
E.T.R.: 1903
Notes: Briefing took place at 0710 hours, and all operational aircraft were airborne by 1049 hours. The three spares returned early, as there were no aborts to replace. At 1930 hours Flying Control reported: "All operational aircraft landed OK except IN-G. IN-G went to Woodbridge with hydraulics out. Very nice landings in rough cross wind."

Debriefing

Aircraft: 39
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: This mission was a continuation of the attacks on German railroad, road and communications centers in support of the advancing Allied Armies. The 401st put up three squadrons comprising the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group. Because of cloud cover, instrument bombing was again employed. The Lead and Low Squadrons bombed individually, using PFF (radar) methods, and the High Squadron used the Gee-H technique. Because of the cloud cover, no results could be observed.
No enemy fighters were seen (but plenty of U.S. Air Force P-51's), and flak was meager and inaccurate. The only loss to the entire strike force was two B-17's that collided over Belgium. The 401st suffered no losses or battle damage.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants