| MISSION DATA: | |||
| DATE | 384th BG Mission # | 8th AF Mission # | 384th PRIMARY TARGET |
| 1945‑01‑17 | 256 | 798 | Target: Railroad Viaduct Type: Transportation Location: Bielefeld, Germany |
| Secondary Target Attacked: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) led the 41st Combat Wing on today's mission. Because he was experiencing problems with his PFF equipment, the group leader ordered the low squadron to fly as his deputy (low squadron deputy moved into lead position, and lead squadron deputy moved into low squadron deputy position) in case a PFF attack was needed. At the IP, the Gee-H operator reported that his equipment could not be used, so the deputy (formerly low squadron leader) was ordered to lead the formation in a PFF attack on the secondary target. Bombs were dropped in group formation after a good PFF run. | |||
| SORTIE DATA: | ||
| COMBAT CREDIT | STATUS | TARGET ATTACKED (MODE) |
| Yes |
Completed Mission Comments: Division lead. PFF & Gee-H ship. PFF started acting up during assembly, so the air commander ordered the low Squadron lead (PFF-equipped) to move up and fly as his deputy. At the IP, the Gee-H equipment was unusable, so lead was turned over to the deputy. |
Secondary (PFF) Target: Railroad Workshops Type: Transportation Location: Paderborn, Germany |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | |||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME | GROUND CREW CHIEF |
| B-17G | 44‑8211 ⇗ | 546th | BK*Z | not known | Foster, Ewing H |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Commander | Johnson, William T⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Pilot | Blankenmeyer, William J⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Mass, Russell C⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Gibson, Merle Leon, Jr⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Merlis, Albert L⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Bombardier | Bonnett, Charles Daniel⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Radio Operator | Fictum, Blair Eugene⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Engineer/Top Turret | DeMesquita, Seymour Aron⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Ball Turret | Work, Robert Elijah⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Tail Gunner | Dobson, Roy E⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | McDonald, Donald Thomas⇗ | 544 | Completed, Uninjured |