Mission Date: April 4, 1945
KIEL, SUB YARDS
100th BG Mission #: 293
Mission Summary
ON THIS DAY...APRIL 4, 1945
For the second day in a row, thirty-eight crews would be briefed for Kiel where their first Priority visual target would be the torpedo boat harbor north of Kiel. The Secondary target via H2X method would be the ship building and repair works close to the center of Kiel.
The 95th BG would lead the 13th CBW which would fly second in the Division line, with the 100th flying as its ‘B’ group and the 390th as its ‘C’. Led by Major Robinson/DePlanque the 100th's formation fly four squadrons: the High squadron led by Stivers/Murray, the Low by Hutchinson and the Low Low by Hellerich. Only the Lead and High squadrons would carry the six 1000 lb GP bombs, while the two lower squadrons would carry twelve 500 lb bombs.
The 349th’s Lyman Fillingame, flying in the #3 position in the lead element of the Low squadron waited behind the other ships for his turn in line for take-off. Getting ready to fly his #22 mission in a 351st ship named ‘Duffy’s Tuffy’s,’ Fillingame accidentally hit the alarm bell as his ship was taking off. Upon hearing the bell, ROG Homer Duke automatically kicked his waist door out, as he had been trained to do. With no legitimate reason to abort the mission, Fillingame continued the take-off, flying the entire mission without a waist door for protection. Other than that mishap, the 100th’s assembly at 12000 feet over Buncher 28 was uneventful.
Flying over the North Sea, the 13th CBW ’S’d several times to avoid overrunning the 4th CBW in the Division lead. Nearing the target, the 7-8/10 clouds with tops at 17-18000 feet required an attack on the Secondary target. At the IP, the groups then peeled off for individual H2X runs, flying through meager to moderate, inaccurate flak. Bombs were away at 1038-1040 hours but not before the 490th BG had cut in between the 95th and 100th, remaining in that position through to the Rally Point.
Heading home and landing safely with no losses, no fighters and no battle damage, the boys called it a “milk run.” The mission light glowed red that evening signaling a mission alert and the crews checked the Squadron boards for names.
Bombing Results
Bombing Results: MISSED
Aircraft Lost: 0
Crew Lost: 0
Claims of Enemy Losses (CLS): 0
Aircraft Returned:
