SORTIE REPORT #438
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1943‑08‑27 18 87 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Watten, France
No Attack: Mechanical Failure: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the high group of the 103rd Combat Wing on today's mission. During the bomb run, the linkage between the bombsight and the Automatic Flight Control Equipment (AFCE) failed. It was too late to either transition to manual control or to transfer the lead to the group deputy (whose bombardier was never able to see the target). A second run was considered, but not undertaken due to the risk inherent in making the run without support of other groups in the wing. Consequently, as required by bombing SOP over occupied territory, the bombs were held, except for the Aufmuth Crew, who accidentally dropped two bombs.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
No Aborted Mission After Taking Off.
Comments: Had to leave formation when one bomb broke loose and lodged on bomb bay doors. Jettisoned it over the English Channel and returned to base.
N/A
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17F 42‑29554 545th JD*Y BILLIE
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Ingles, John Thomas 544 Aborted
Co-pilot Pratt, Harry Mitchell 544 Aborted
Navigator Ruman, Charles Logan 544 Aborted
Bombardier Mason, Earl Carter 544 Aborted
Radio Operator Smith, Lawrence Waith, Jr 544 Aborted
Engineer/Top Turret Morrison, Clarence Theodore 544 Aborted
Ball Turret Farley, John Francis 544 Aborted
Tail Gunner Brescia, Alfred Joseph 544 Aborted
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Spaulding, Charles Arnold 544 Aborted
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Janes, Carl Warner 544 Aborted
Sortie Report 438 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
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