Mission Date: December 13, 1943
KIEL, SUB YARDS
100th BG Mission #: 50
Mission Summary
SUBJECT: Operational Narrative, December 13, 1943, Kiel, 100th Bombardment Group, Group Composite -- 390th
TO: Commanding Officer, 100th Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Force
1. Six aircraft took off at 0834 hours. A/C No. 772 was unable to start his engines so the crew changed to A/C No. 42-37796 and took off, but was unable to catch the formation. Only 3 A/C were picked up, and after circling Spl. #6 for approximately 25 minutes in an effort to get the Squadron together, we proceeded to Buncher 8, arriving 3 mins early and joining the 390th Group at 0937 hours, at 8,800 feet indicated. There to buncher #7, and at 1000 hours joining the combat wing. We then turned toward Spalding, leading the low squadron in the composite group, arriving over Spaldimg at 1019 hours, altitude 9,000 feet.
2. The climb to altitude was started at 63°27'N = O°25'R, 1046 hours on a mag. heading of 65. Bombing altitude was reached at 12e2 hours, at 54°10'N, O6 50'E. The high squadron strung out at this time, but soon got back in a good formation. The enemy coast was crossed at approximately 1246.
3. The I.P. was reached at 1254. Some flak bursts were seen between the coast and the I.P, Around the I.P. there were heavy flak bursts on the left at 1255 hours, after the turn at the I.P.
4, The Combat Wing was in good formation at the rally point which was reached at 1304 hours.
5. The enemy coast was reorossed at approximately 1320 hours at which time the descent was started. The English coast was crossed at 145] hours, at 62 53'N - 01 27'E, altitude 5,000 feet. Base was reached at 1509, lead aircraft landed at 1614.
6. Three A/C left the base in formation and these three A/C left the English coast together, A/C #42-81220 and 42-39792 joined the formation over the North Sea.
7. Aircraft #42-37796 took off late, couldn't catch formation and turned back at 1115 hours, 54°00'N - 03°00'R, altitude 15,000 feet.
8. All of our A/C returned, the group landing from 1514 to 1560 hours.
JOHN B. KIDD
TO: Commanding Officer, 100th Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Force
1. Six aircraft took off at 0834 hours. A/C No. 772 was unable to start his engines so the crew changed to A/C No. 42-37796 and took off, but was unable to catch the formation. Only 3 A/C were picked up, and after circling Spl. #6 for approximately 25 minutes in an effort to get the Squadron together, we proceeded to Buncher 8, arriving 3 mins early and joining the 390th Group at 0937 hours, at 8,800 feet indicated. There to buncher #7, and at 1000 hours joining the combat wing. We then turned toward Spalding, leading the low squadron in the composite group, arriving over Spaldimg at 1019 hours, altitude 9,000 feet.
2. The climb to altitude was started at 63°27'N = O°25'R, 1046 hours on a mag. heading of 65. Bombing altitude was reached at 12e2 hours, at 54°10'N, O6 50'E. The high squadron strung out at this time, but soon got back in a good formation. The enemy coast was crossed at approximately 1246.
3. The I.P. was reached at 1254. Some flak bursts were seen between the coast and the I.P, Around the I.P. there were heavy flak bursts on the left at 1255 hours, after the turn at the I.P.
4, The Combat Wing was in good formation at the rally point which was reached at 1304 hours.
5. The enemy coast was reorossed at approximately 1320 hours at which time the descent was started. The English coast was crossed at 145] hours, at 62 53'N - 01 27'E, altitude 5,000 feet. Base was reached at 1509, lead aircraft landed at 1614.
6. Three A/C left the base in formation and these three A/C left the English coast together, A/C #42-81220 and 42-39792 joined the formation over the North Sea.
7. Aircraft #42-37796 took off late, couldn't catch formation and turned back at 1115 hours, 54°00'N - 03°00'R, altitude 15,000 feet.
8. All of our A/C returned, the group landing from 1514 to 1560 hours.
JOHN B. KIDD
Lt. Col., Air Corps
Operations Officer
Bombing Results
Bombing Results:
Aircraft Lost: 0
Crew Lost: 0
Claims of Enemy Losses (CLS): 0
Aircraft Returned:
Media Articles
Use your thumb to scroll through the results box below.
| Media Item | Type | Page | Volume/Issue | Broadcast Source | Time | Description | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Gough quote Dec 13 1943 mission | Daily News Dec 14 1943 | 12:00 am | |||||
| George Gough Dec 13 1943 mission part 2 | Daily News Dec 13 1943 | 12:00 am |
