| MISSION DATA: | |||
| DATE | 384th BG Mission # | 8th AF Mission # | 384th PRIMARY TARGET |
| 1944‑10‑18 | 213 | 682 | Target: Ford Motor Works Type: Industry Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany |
| Weather Challenges Crews: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the 41st CBW B Group on today's mission. Clouds obscured the target so each squadron started a Gee-H bomb run - in each case the Gee-H equipment failed, so the deputy had to take over with PFF (radar), with varying results. The lead and low squadron deputies did not have enough time to take over on the initial bomb run, so they turned and attacked the PFF secondary. The high squadron was able to complete the attack on the primary on the first run. | |||
| SORTIE DATA: | ||
| COMBAT CREDIT | STATUS | TARGET ATTACKED (MODE) |
| Yes |
Landed In Allied Territory Comments: High Squadron. Soon after bombs away, this aircraft started to drop back from formation under control, and continued to drop back until out of sight; returned to base and resumed combat missions after seven weeks. The pilot reported that #1 propeller ran away and would not feather, then sheared from the crankshaft (but remained attached to the engine). They left formation and attempted to land at Brussels, but weather forced them to land at St. Trond (A-29). The crew returned to Grafton Underwood after a few days, ferrying a PFF aircraft belonging to Alconbury. |
Secondary (PFF) Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | ||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17G | 42‑97521 ⇗ | 545th | JD*H | THE SAINT |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Fahr, John (NMI)⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Co-pilot | Ryan, Chilton (NMI)⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Niemiec, Leonard Roy⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Togglier | Casteel, Raleigh James⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Radio Operator | Luburich, Michael (NMI)⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Hanrahan, Francis Glen⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Ball Turret | Waggoner, Buford (NMI)⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Tail Gunner | Roach, William Earl⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Virtue, Earl Elery⇗ | 545 | Completed, Uninjured |