Mission Details for Dessau (#77)

Briefing

Details

Number: 77
Date: 5/28/1944 12:00:00 AM
Commander: Capt. F.D. Grinham
Crews Briefed: 21
Details: Oil Refinery

Flying Control

Runway: 5
Engines: 1000 Thumbnail image for /Images/Takeoff/Plan05.jpg
Taxi: 1015
Take Off: 1030
E.T.R.: 1755
Notes: The Group was briefed at 0645. All 21 aircraft were airborne by 1106. By 1811 the Group had returned but was missing seven aircraft, and returning planes included a fatality and wounded airmen. One ship landed at Woodbridge with the two port engines out.

Debriefing

Aircraft: 21
Lost Over Continent: 7
Lost Other: 0
Summary: This was the roughest mission of the 401st Bombardment Group's tour in the ETO. The Group furnished the Low Box of the 94th Combat Wing and was chosen as the focus of attack by approximately 200 enemy fighters. The attacks lasted for 40 minutes, from the I.P. through two runs at the target. As many as 60 enemy aircraft attacked in formation, using saturation tactics. As a result, all of the High Squadron but the Lead Aircraft were shot down. A total of six Group aircraft were lost in the target area while another was forced to ditch in the English Channel.
The crews and aircraft lost included Lt. V. J. Kaminski, flying with Lt. Ferdyn's crew (42-97073), Lt. George E. West (42-31034 "Bonnie Donnie"), Lt. Walter B. Keith, Jr. (42-31557), Lt. William R. Protz (42-102580), Lt. Paul F. Scharff (42-102581 "Lonesome Polecat"), and Lt. Frederick H. Windham (42-102647 "BTO in the ETO"). Capt. G. F. Carter and his crew ditched in the Channel (42-39837 "Red's Rogues").
Not with standing the ferocious enemy attacks, the Group's bombs fell in an excellent pattern on the MPI, and dense smoke was observed over the target.

Mission Assignments

Squadron Participants
No Assignments were found.