Mission Date: December 31, 1943
PARIS, BALL BEARINGS
100th BG Mission #: 56
Mission Summary
31 December 1943
From the coast a magnetic heading of 167 degrees was flown to Rambouillet. We then turned to a magnetic heading of 154 degrees to Etampes, We then took a magnetic heading of 46 degrees to the I.P., turned to a heading of 01 degree to the target. No particular difficulties were encountered from the I.P. to the target. The 390th Group went over first, the 100th second and the 95th last, at five second intervals.
The 390th and the 100th Groups had a good formation at the rally point; the 95th joined the wing 15 minutes later. The fighter cover was good, the 100th Group having no enemy fighter attacks.
The descent was begun over Beauvais Tille airport at 1233 hours. The enemy coast was re-crossed at 1257 hours; the Buglish Coast at 1326 hours at Dungeness. Home base was reached at 1415 hours, the lead ship landing at 1426 and the remainder of the group had landed by 1448 hours.
Close cover is needed from fighter support between the I.P, and the target so that bombardiers may concentrate fully on getting bombs away on lead aircraft,
Twenty-three aircraft left the base in formation, including two spares. One spare was late in taking off. Spare aircraft #2-30380 turned back five minutes past the English Coast on course at 22,000 feet, Twenty-two aircraft departed the English Coast.
All of our aircraft returned.
John B. Kidd
Lt. Col., Air Corps
Operations Officer
The following named Officers and Enlisted men have completed their operational tour in this theater by compiling 25 sorties with this mission.
Captain HENRY HENINGTON, O-734086
SUBJECT: Operational Narrative Of Mission Of December 31, 1943.
TO : Commanding Officer, 100th Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Forces.
l. Twenty-four aircraft took off at 0900 hours, including three spares. The 100th Group was assembled at 0923 hours, five miles North of the base at 2,000 feet as briefed. The 100th Group joined the 13th Combat Wing at 1055 hours at 51 degrees 52 minutes North; 00 degrees 33 minutes West, altitude 19,000 feet. The 390th Group led; the 95th flying high; the 100th flying low. The wing assembly was good, the high group being slightly scattered.
The Combat Wing assembly was made on a heading of 250 degrees. The Air Division assembly was made at 50 degrees 55 minutes North; 00 degrees 57 minutes East. The time was 1110 hours, altitude 23,000 feet. The other combat wing was identified by flares and V.H.F. The 13th Combat Wing led, followed by the 45th Combat Wing.
The climb to bombing altitude was begun at 1053 hours on a magnetic heading of 205, at 51 degrees 52 minutes North, 00 degrees 33 minutes East. The climb was made at 160 miles per hour. The formation was very good at this time.
The enemy coast was crossed at 11235 hours. Fighter rendezvous was made at the same time. Moderate to heavy flak was seen; it was accurate for altitude only.
The Combat Wing assembly was made on a heading of 250 degrees. The Air Division assembly was made at 50 degrees 55 minutes North; 00 degrees 57 minutes East. The time was 1110 hours, altitude 23,000 feet. The other combat wing was identified by flares and V.H.F. The 13th Combat Wing led, followed by the 45th Combat Wing.
The climb to bombing altitude was begun at 1053 hours on a magnetic heading of 205, at 51 degrees 52 minutes North, 00 degrees 33 minutes East. The climb was made at 160 miles per hour. The formation was very good at this time.
The enemy coast was crossed at 11235 hours. Fighter rendezvous was made at the same time. Moderate to heavy flak was seen; it was accurate for altitude only.
From the coast a magnetic heading of 167 degrees was flown to Rambouillet. We then turned to a magnetic heading of 154 degrees to Etampes, We then took a magnetic heading of 46 degrees to the I.P., turned to a heading of 01 degree to the target. No particular difficulties were encountered from the I.P. to the target. The 390th Group went over first, the 100th second and the 95th last, at five second intervals.
The 390th and the 100th Groups had a good formation at the rally point; the 95th joined the wing 15 minutes later. The fighter cover was good, the 100th Group having no enemy fighter attacks.
The descent was begun over Beauvais Tille airport at 1233 hours. The enemy coast was re-crossed at 1257 hours; the Buglish Coast at 1326 hours at Dungeness. Home base was reached at 1415 hours, the lead ship landing at 1426 and the remainder of the group had landed by 1448 hours.
Close cover is needed from fighter support between the I.P, and the target so that bombardiers may concentrate fully on getting bombs away on lead aircraft,
Twenty-three aircraft left the base in formation, including two spares. One spare was late in taking off. Spare aircraft #2-30380 turned back five minutes past the English Coast on course at 22,000 feet, Twenty-two aircraft departed the English Coast.
All of our aircraft returned.
John B. Kidd
Lt. Col., Air Corps
Operations Officer
————————————
The following named Officers and Enlisted men have completed their operational tour in this theater by compiling 25 sorties with this mission.
Captain HENRY HENINGTON, O-734086
Captain JAMES F. FITTON, O-9663247
Captain WALTER MORENO O-9733699
T/Sgt Alexander G, Lee, 33291056
T/Sgt WADE G. DOWELL, 18168959
S/Sgt Ned G. Eaton 31059050
S/Sgt Alton G. JOHNSON, 18160781
S/Sgt Ned G. Eaton 31059050
S/Sgt Alton G. JOHNSON, 18160781
S/Sgt ALBERT R. HOWELL, 39171897
S/Sgt MARVIN G. BURTON, 16024099
Bombing Results
Bombing Results: VERY GOOD
Aircraft Lost: 0
Crew Lost: 0
Claims of Enemy Losses (CLS): 0
Aircraft Returned:
