SORTIE REPORT #887
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1943‑11‑03 34 119 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Wilhelmshafen, Germany
Pathfinder Leads Attack: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as high group of the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (CBW), which was the fourth (and last) wing on this mission, and contributed the High Squadron of the High Group of the Composite Wing (second wing) on today's mission. The target was completely obscured by a solid cloud cover. Bombs were dropped when the wing lead, a 'Pathfinder' aircraft, dropped theirs. This was the first 'Bombing Through Overcast' (BTO) operational mission led by radar-equipped B-17s of the 482nd Bombardment Group.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17F 42‑29632 545th JD*K CASED ACE
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Ashcraft, Archie Bertis, Jr 545 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Riggins, George Clifton 545 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Oppenheimer, Kenneth Harold 545 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Hern, Wallace Currie 545 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Madden, Joseph Francis 545 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Sopher, Francis Walton 545 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Milstead, Willard Cleo 545 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lindsey, William Howard 545 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Oien, Clarence Holger 545 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Rachunas, Joseph George 545 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 887 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
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Report generated: 4 April 2025, 2:20 AM (PDT)
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