SORTIE REPORT #7545
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. Hot Camera ship.
Primary (Gee-H)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 44‑6512 544th SU*K not known
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot DeFrancesco, John Joseph 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Simmons, Robert Edwin 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Calnitz, Jerome (NMI) 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Brown, William C 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Bias, Ira J, Jr 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Howell, Evan Lawrence 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Doleshal, Charles Joseph 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Hastings, Harmon Charles 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Williams, John Allen 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 7545 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
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Report generated: 15 April 2025, 9:16 AM (PDT)
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