Mission Details for Watten (#44)

Briefing

Details

Number: 44
Date: 3/26/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Capt. C.C. Hinkle
Crews Briefed: 21
Details: "Crossbow" (German V-1 rocket sites in the Pas de Calias area of France).

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 1215 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 1230
Take Off: 1245
E.T.R.:
Notes: The mission originally planned, for which 35 crews were briefed at 0345 hours, was scrubbed at 0645. 21 crews were then briefed at 1100 hours, and by 1304 all were airborne. One aircraft, "Penny's Thunderhead" (42-31098), with five 1000 pound bombs on board, returned from the mission with a flat tire Upon landing, it nosed over but came back to rest in normal position. No fire occurred although one engine dropped to the ground smoking.
All but one operational aircraft were back by 1655 hours.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 21
Lost Over Continent: 1
Lost Other: 0
Summary: This mission involved sending 573 8th Air Force bombers to attack 16 rocket sites.The 401st made up the High Box of the 94th Combat Wing formation. Bombing results were fair, with a good pattern just to the right of the MPI. Flak was moderate but extremely accurate. The B-17 piloted by Capt. W. M. Rumsey,"Omar the Dentmaker" (42-37833), was shot down over the target. This was one of the Group's original crews and aircraft.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants