SORTIE REPORT #7539
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑11‑10 224 709 Target: Ostheim Airfield & Butzweilerhof Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany
Primary Targets Bombed: The 384th provided three squadrons to form the 41st C Combat Bombardment Wing (41C Group) and an additional 12 aircraft to form the high squadron of the 41st D Combat Bombardment Wing (41D Squadron). The 41C Group lead and low squadrons bombed Ostheim Airfield using Gee-H, but the high squadron Gee-H equipment failed on the bomb run, and a second run was necessary. They started a PFF run on the primary target, but the PFF equipment failed, then attempted a visual run but could not see the primary target. They then salvoed their bombs over the secondary target, the center of Köln. The 41D Squadron made a 'long smooth run' to attack Butzweilerhof Airfield through 'intense and accurate' flak.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: 41D Squadron.
Primary (Gee-H)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑102661 544th SU*L BIG DOG
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Groff, Richard Hubert 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Gray, Fred Price 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Gilliam, Charles Lamb 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Gabriel, Joseph Albert 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Ludvik, Antone Francis 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Erich, Milton Benjamin 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Laursen, Harold James 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Yelinich, John (NMI), Jr 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Haskell, William Hilton 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 7539 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
Report generated: 23 November 2025, 12:09 AM (PST)
Site design and content © 1999-2025 by Webmaster