He flew with a de Havilland Mosquito (type XVI, serial ML940, code P3-).
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 731: 1,281 bombers and 972 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants in SE Germany and rail targets; intense accurate flak downs 29 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
1. 451 B-17s are sent to hit the Zeitz (132) and Bohlen (68) oil plants; 116 hit the secondary, the Leuna oil plant at Merseburg; targets of opportunity are Gotha (22), Gera (17), Rudolstadt (17), Fulda (12), Saalfeld (12), Ohrdruf (10), Meerane (6) and other (9); 11 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 287 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA, 16 WIA and 100 MIA.
Escorting are 357 of 384 P-51s; they claim 4-0-0 aircraft in the air; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
2. 539 B-17s are sent to hit the Leuna oil plant at Merseburg (301) and the Lutzkendorf (169) oil plant; targets of opportunity are Zeitz oil plant (19), Weissenfels (9) and other (12); 17 B-17s are lost, 6 damaged beyond repair and 325 damaged; 17 airmen are KIA, 42 WIA and 295 MIA.
Escorting are 452 P-47s and P-51s; 2 P-51s are damaged beyond repair.
3. 291 B-24s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Neunkirchen (180) and Homburg (104).
Escorting are 56 of 60 P-47s; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot MIA).
4. 30 of 33 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
Mission 732: 7 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, moves from Longvic to Ochey, France with Beaufighters.
Ninth Air Force: In Germany, 288 B-26s and A-20s attack the defended villages of Vettweiss, Stockheim, Erp, and Pirmasens, an armored vehicle repair center at Gemund, a rail tunnel, a military camp at Malsbenden, and a marshalling yard at Zweibrucken; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, give area support to Eighth AF heavy bombers at Leipzig, fly sweeps, dive bombing missions, and reconnaissance over W Germany, and support elements of the US VII Corps in the Hurtgen area (especially the 104th Infantry Division at Lammersdorf and Inden).
The 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from St Dizier to Giraumont, France with F-6s.
67 Mosquitos to Hannover and 4 to Bielefeld, 27 RCM sorties, 38 Mosquito patrols, 19 aircraft on Resistance operations. 6 Mosquitos of No 5 Group to lay mines in the River Weser were unable to carry out the operation because of 10/10ths cloud over the target area. No aircraft lost.
60 Lancasters of No 3 Group attacked a coking plant at Bottrop without loss.
60 Lancasters of No 3 Group attacked a benzol plant at Osterfeld. 2 Lancasters lost.
39 Mosquitos of No 8 Group attacked the oil plant at Meiderich without loss.
Duisburg: 576 aircraft - 425 Halifaxes, 126 Lancasters, 25 Mosquitos - of Nos 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 3 Halifaxes lost. The target area was completely cloud-covered and the attack was not concentrated but much fresh damage was still caused.
53 Mosquitos to Hamburg and 7 to Hallendorf, 88 aircraft of No 100 Group on RCM and Mosquito operations (separate figures not available), 9 aircraft on Resistance operations. 1 Intruder Mosquito lost.
Total effort for the night: 733 sorties, 4 aircraft (0.5 per cent) lost.
This record can also be found on the maps of WW2 History Europe with Google coordinates. You can find the maps by clicking on this link on this location.
There are several possibilities to investigate the flight records on WW2 History Europe. All the flights are plotted on maps, sorted "day by day", "by squadron", "by type aircraft", "by year or month", "by location" and much more! Don't miss this!!!
If you have any information that you want to share, please add your comment at the bottom of this record. Or send your information to [email protected]. This information will be added to the record.
Your photos and your information are very welcome! The young do care and with your help we keep up the good work.
