Mission Details for Kassel (#52)

Briefing

Details

Number: 52
Date: 4/19/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Col. H.W. Bowman
Crews Briefed: 28
Details: Aircraft assembly plant

Flying Control

Runway: 23
Engines: 0610 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan23.jpg
Taxi: 0625
Take Off: 0640
E.T.R.: 1302
Notes: 26 operational aircraft were off by 0709 hours; two aircraft had flat tires while taxiing but one was able to join the Group later. The Group also provided two aircraft for air/sea search and rescue duty over the North Sea. All operational aircraft were down by 1335 hours.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 27
Lost Over Continent: 0
Lost Other: 0
Summary: Col. Bowman led the entire 1st Air Division on this mission. The 401st provided the Lead Box and one squadron of the High Box of the 94th Combat Wing, the leading Wing of the 1st Air Division. Strike photos disclosed a good pattern of bombs on a gun testing range and adjacent buildings. The squadron flying in the Composite Box dropped incendiary bombs, which fell in a concentration on the factory area. No enemy aircraft were encountered, but flak over the target area was intense and accurate. No 401st aircraft were shot down, but five of the 270 of the 8th Air Force aircraft over the target were lost and 119 were damaged by flak.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants