Mission Details for Zossen (Berlin) (#229)

Briefing

Details

Number: 229
Date: 3/15/1945 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Maj. A.H. Chapman
Crews Briefed: 38
Details: German Army Headquarters

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 1010 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 1025
Take Off: 1040
E.T.R.: 1816
Notes: Briefing took place at 0636 hours. The ships were loaded with six 500 pound GP's plus four M17 IB's and 2,780 gallons of gas. Assembly at 9,500 feet at Cottesmore Buncher. Subsequent to briefing, all times were delayed by thirty minutes, this delay being refelected in the taxi and takeoff times shown above.
While taxying, one ship taxied off the hardstand into the mud, getting the left main wheel stuck badly. Flying Control's comment: "Pilot appeared to have his head up!" (Veterans will appreciate the meaning of this comment.)
All aircraft were off on the mission by 1122 hours except one which blew a tire on takeoff and veered off the runway, coming to rest 30 feet clear of the landing runway. All aircraft had returned from the mission by 1915 hours.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 38
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The 401st again put up three squadrons comprising the 94th Combat Wing "B" Group. Since weather was good, a visual bomb run was made. Unfortunately, however, a combination of haze and smoke from bombs dropped by previous groups combined to obscure the target at the last moment, and photos showed that all three squadrons dropped their bombs short of the MPI.
To everyone's surprise, there was little flak and no enemy aircraft, with the result that none of the 401st ships suffered battle damage.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants