Mission Details for Schweinfurt (#43)

Briefing

Details

Number: 43
Date: 3/24/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Maj. E. W. Brown
Crews Briefed: 21
Details: Ball bearing works

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0530 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0545
Take Off: 0600
E.T.R.: 1255
Notes: Prior to the mission, the PFF aircraft that was to lead the mission crashed on takeoff from Chelveston, killing the 401st Bomb Group crew of Lt. W. D. Sellers and eleven people on the ground, including two children.
Briefing was at 0230 housrs, and all 21 operational aircraft were airborne by 0628. All operational aircraft were down by 1336.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 21
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 1
Summary: The 401st flew the Lead Box of the 94th Combat Wing on the Group's second mission to Schweinfurt. Unlike the first mission, when the 8th Air Force lost 60 bombers, there were no sightings of enemy aircraft, and flak was meager. The formation found solid undercast over the target, so the target was bombed by PFF (radar). All 401st aircraft returned safely to base.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants