Subject: November 16, 1944 / Bomb Run
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Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 07:10:31 -0500

Mission Number - 134

Date - 11/16/44

Day - Thursday

Day of Year - 321

Primary Target - Eschweiler, Ger.

Secondary Target -

Results - GH Good

Aircraft Assigned -

Aircraft Dispersed -

Aircraft Over Target -

#of Bombs Dropped -

Wt. of Bombs -

Type of Bombs -

Altitude of Drop -

Fighter Escort

P38 Escort -

P47 Escort -

P51 Escort -

Spitfire Escort -

Enemy Aircraft

Claimed Destroyed -

Probably Destroyed -

Claimed Damaged -

Anti Aircraft was -

Aircraft Lost -

Men Killed -

Men Wounded -

Men Missing in Action -

Type of Target - Tactical Targets in support of the Beginning of
OPERATION QUEEN

Names of Crew Killed in Action

Names of Crew Missing in Action

Names of Crew Wounded in Action

Names of Crew Made Prisoners of War

Names of Crew Interned

Mission Narrative

Thirty-four aircraft were dispatched on this mission, the 467th
supplying four squadrons in the Wing Formation. Major Wallace, flying with
Lt. James W. Littleford’s crew, led the group. Lt. Grace and his crew led
the second squadron. Lt. Brandon, flying with Lt. Maurice B. Cramer, led
the third squadron. Lt. Frank S. Watson led the fourth squadron after Lt.
William J. Grundmann had to abort from the lead position. The weather on
the way in was not good, and the bombing was done with GH
equipment.

Three aircraft failed to attack due to weather. On two aircraft,
mechanical failure prevented attack. Twenty-nine aircraft attacked and
results were believed good.

On the return, the group diverted to RAF Sandtoft because weather
closed Rackheath. The crews spent several days with RAF flyers, returning
to Rackheath with the report that they had been royally
entertained.

Reports were received from ground commanders at a later date
indicating the bombing had been even more effective than was
expected.

From Jim Pippenger, pilot in the 789th BS:
“Take-off was
bad with ceiling zero and only 2,000 ft visibility. Finally broke out in
the clear at 5,000 ft. Our load was twenty 260lb fragmentation bombs. The
target was a buildup of military troops and equipment, prior to the big
push for the Battle of the Bulge. Flak was meager but accurate. Our return
was diverted to Sandtoft, an RAF field where we stayed in bad weather for
three days before returning to home base. Fuel consumption records are
missing for this mission by reason of the diversion to
Sandtoft.”

Details of Aircraft Loss

Mission Label

Mission #134
Eschweiler, Ger
11/16/44

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