SORTIE REPORT #2173
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑03‑19 77 266 Target: NOBALL (V-2 Storage and Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Wizernes, France
Traffic Conflict & Equipment Failure: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the low group of the 41st Combat Wing on today's mission. Weather at the target was clear. On the first bomb run, the high group took position immediately above the 384th, so Major Harris led the Group on a 360-degree turn to avoid their bombs. On the second bomb run, the lead aircraft's AFCES (autopilot) went out and the run was completed with the pilot flying manually following PDI guidance: bombing accuracy was poor.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME GROUND CREW CHIEF
B-17G 42‑97139 546th BK*M FLAK HOPPER McKinney, Lauren Lee
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Decker, Charles Edgar 546 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Maahs, Robert Edward 546 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Kobes, Eugene Paul 546 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Barber, Ruffin Frank 546 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Blocksidge, Charles Russell 546 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret O'Cain, Billy Eklund 546 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Reedy, Delbert Rudolph 546 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Smith, William Henry, Jr 546 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Rubinson, Harold David 546 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Bratko, John (NMI) 546 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 2173 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
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Report generated: 19 April 2024, 5:05 PM (PDT)
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