Mission Details for Dresden (#251)

Briefing

Details

Number: 251
Date: 4/17/1945 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Maj. A.H. Chapman
Crews Briefed: 38
Details: Railroad marshalling yards

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0850 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0900
Take Off: 0910
E.T.R.: 1831
Notes: Briefing took place at 0600 hours, and all aircraft had taken off by 0939 hours. As there were no aborts, the two spares returned early, as planned. By 1916 hours all operational aircraft had landed from the mission. Flying Control noted: "Cool, fast landing with entire squadron peeling off first time over runway. This is much the quickest was of getting aircraft on the ground in good weather when stand off procedure is definitely not needed."

Debriefing

Aircraft: 38
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: The three squadrons of the 401st made up the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group on this mission. Bombing, which was done visually, was described as "fair to excellent". The High Squadron put 98 per cent of its bombs within 1,000 feet of the aiming point.
German jet aircraft were seen in the area but did not attack the Group. Flak was described as "moderate" but tracked the formation over the target, inflicting major damage on one 401st ship and minor damage to seven others. There were no causalties, and all ships returned safely.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants