Mission

Our Group dispatched a twenty-one ship formation to hit the synthetic gasoline and distribution centers in this important Ruhr Valley city. Major Turner, leading the Group, was forced to turn back at the assembly point, and Lt Hennington, leading the high squadron, took the lead behind the 95th Bomb Gp.

We were the second group in the Combat Wing and the Wing led the Division. No enemy aircraft opposition was encountered, Accurate flak was present at 26,000 feet from Ijmuiden, moderate bursts over Amsterdam, Zwolle, Arnhem, and Rotterdam. The bombs were salvoed on the lead group pathfinder but due to the overcast hits could not be observed. One crew reported that through a cloud break a cluster of approximately ten houses and a field received hits.

All aircraft returned safely. Six failed to bomb, five of the ships due to engine failure and the other to oxygen system malfunction. Pilots critique revealed that the lead aircraft is not sticking to the speed specified by the field order, Other criticisms concerned the need of radio silence, heated suits for officers, and a more satisfactory defrosting system.