11th mission: Grafenwohr

If you've been reading daily mission details from the USAAF chronology, the April page is here--scroll down to find the date you want.

The rapid deterioration of German defenses was illustrated today when intervalometer troubles aboard the lead A/C resulted in three runs over the target with impunity. Not too long ago such lingering over a target would have earned German flak operators medals galore. But this target, an Ordnance Depot, was destroyed without consequences. The group's 38 A/C put a telling dent in Germany's remaining ammunition supply. -- Snetterton Falcons

One thousand one hundred thirteen Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack munitions plants, munitions dumps, marshalling yards, a jet factory, and several airdromes. Nine B-17s and one of 763 VIII Fighter Command escorts and scouts are lost. Approximately 620 9th Air Division bombers attack an oil depot, an oil refinery, a communications center, a marshalling yard, and city areas at eight locations... -- 354th FG

Thirty seven aircraft led by Major Krieger took off and bombed a locomotive works at Stendahl, near Hanover, Germany. Bombing was by instruments, PFF, with fair results. Flak was meager but accurate. Lt Adelmeyer’s aircraft caught fire and exploded near Kassel, while on withdrawal. His ship was seen to crash into a large building which was set on fire. Three chutes were seen to open but were fired on from a wood by automatic fire. Two crew members were later reported safe and uninjured and they subsequently returned to base... -- 381st BG Medical Detachment

No fighter interception but flak was HEAVY and ACCURATE. We received 12 holes in plane. Upholstery in pilot's cockpit and engineers station was torn all to pieces when an oxygen bottle was hit and exploded. Robbie, Willems and I were COVERED with asbestos insulation and strips of the upholstery. We all looked comical and we all had a good laugh when we had time to look at each other. We had cotton in our eyes, mouth and face. We thought for a moment that we were going down. We lost three ships from our group and one from another that was flying with us. Five chutes came out of one plane, one was afire. Flight time was 8 hours and 55 minutes. We were flying Aircraft 931. I guess they will have to make some repairs before she can fly again. -- Lyman R Huffman, Jr, 832 BS, 486th BG