Regensburg- 17 Aug. 1943

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Posted By Keith on August 22, 2007 at 17:47:55:

21 planes of the 388th, plus 3 extras for fill-ins, took off between 0645 and 0702 hrs. Effected formation and made Wing rendezvous without difficulty. The 388th Group was second in the 403rd Combat Wing formation.

None of the 388th planes aborted, so the 3 fill-ins returned to base, the others continued as briefed. Over the entire course 30 to 50 fighters were encountered---190's and 109's. they attacked out of the sun and from 5 to 7 O'clock, pressing home their attack singly, rolling over and peeling off and down to attack the low Groups. Some attacks were made from 2 and 3 O'clock and from 10 and 11 O'clock. Attack's ranged from 500 to 800 yards. Once Crew, Lt Bliss, reported enemy fighters closing within 50 to 100 yards. Theses attacks were ineffectual.

Although observed from 13 areas, flak was not remarkable intense or accurate. 10 of our planes did sustain hits but they were not seriously damaged. All 21 of our planes dropped all their bombs except for one bomb that hung up in Lt. Nagorka's ship, and 2 that hung up in Lt. Bliss's ship, due to mechanical failure.

These 3 bombs were jettisoned after passing the target. 207---500 lb. bombs were dropped on the target at 1148 hours in a fine pattern. There was good visibility at the target and photos subsequently taken indicate that the entire Messraschmidt Assembly plant was destroyed.

From Regensburg, the Group proceeded to the Rally Point and from there to Bone, Africa, as briefed. Enroute there, Lt. Parker ditched in the Mediterranean Sea at 1620 hours. His position was noted by friendly planes and all the crew members were rescued the next morning. The other 20 planes landed at various advanced bases in North Africa, but only 3 were able to reach Bone, the others made emergency landings because of gas shortage. Only 2 members of the Group were wounded on this mission.

I wanted to post this on the 17th of August, but due to computer problems,that was not possible. My Thanks goes to all those brave Vets who went on this mission.

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Comments:: 21 planes of the 388th, plus 3 extras for fill-ins, took off between 0645 and 0702 hrs. Effected formation and made Wing rendezvous without difficulty. The 388th Group was second in the 403rd Combat Wing formation. : None of the 388th planes aborted, so the 3 fill-ins returned to base, the others continued as briefed. Over the entire course 30 to 50 fighters were encountered---190's and 109's. they attacked out of the sun and from 5 to 7 O'clock, pressing home their attack singly, rolling over and peeling off and down to attack the low Groups. Some attacks were made from 2 and 3 O'clock and from 10 and 11 O'clock. Attack's ranged from 500 to 800 yards. Once Crew, Lt Bliss, reported enemy fighters closing within 50 to 100 yards. Theses attacks were ineffectual. : Although observed from 13 areas, flak was not remarkable intense or accurate. 10 of our planes did sustain hits but they were not seriously damaged. All 21 of our planes dropped all their bombs except for one bomb that hung up in Lt. Nagorka's ship, and 2 that hung up in Lt. Bliss's ship, due to mechanical failure. : These 3 bombs were jettisoned after passing the target. 207---500 lb. bombs were dropped on the target at 1148 hours in a fine pattern. There was good visibility at the target and photos subsequently taken indicate that the entire Messraschmidt Assembly plant was destroyed. : From Regensburg, the Group proceeded to the Rally Point and from there to Bone, Africa, as briefed. Enroute there, Lt. Parker ditched in the Mediterranean Sea at 1620 hours. His position was noted by friendly planes and all the crew members were rescued the next morning. The other 20 planes landed at various advanced bases in North Africa, but only 3 were able to reach Bone, the others made emergency landings because of gas shortage. Only 2 members of the Group were wounded on this mission. : I wanted to post this on the 17th of August, but due to computer problems,that was not possible. My Thanks goes to all those brave Vets who went on this mission.

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