December
1943, the 446th's first month of combat
Training missions
were held at the gunnery range in the North Sea, while the PX, barbershop
and dry cleaner were opened on the base. Passes to London and Cambridge
were issued and Norwich became a favorite for night life. On Christmas
eve, a children's party was held at the officer's club, and a New Year's
party closed out 1943. The group received 2 commendations, including
one from the Commanding General of the 8th Air Force on the success
of the group's Noball (buzz bomb launch sites) missions.
Click on a date
for details
December
16: Bremen
The 446th flew it's first mission to Bremen, Germany. Over 1,500 tons
of bombs were dropped through heavy clouds by 21 of the 24 planes that
took off. Though the crews could not see their target, the bombs fell
close to PFF marker trails and dense black smoke was seen rising through
the clouds. 3 planes turned back due to malfunctions. Enemy fighter
opposition was weak, flak was intense but inaccurate, and all planes
returned to base.
December
20: Bremen
26 planes took off for Bremen, but had to return when they failed to
join Division. "Bumbs Away" (42-7494) strayed and was hit
by flak. The pilot tried to return the damaged ship to base, but crashed
in England. The entire crew of 10 was lost.
December
22: Osnabruck
This mission saw the 446th shoot down it's first enemy fighter as S/Sgt.
Lowell Duckworth received credit for downing an ME 109. That good news
was tempered, however, by the loss of 2 more bombers. "Silver Dollar"
(42-7611) was mortally damaged when hit from above by a bomb dropped
by another bomber. 8 crewmen were killed and 2 taken prisoner. The second
(42-7613) was hit by flak and crashed in Holland. 3 crewmen were killed
and 7 were taken prisoner. "Henry's Pride" (42-7574) had 2
engines damaged by flak and enemy fighters. The pilot, 2/Lt Griesinger,
played hide-and-seek in the clouds to avoid further attacks and managed
to land his severely damaged plane with no injuries to the crew.
December
24: Noball
A Noball (buzz bomb launch site) target was bombed near Eclimeux, France
with no losses.
December
30: Ludwigshaven
The port of Ludwigshaven was bombed with the crews experiencing very
little enemy opposition. Bombing occurred through heavy clouds, but
blue-green smoke was seen rising from the target area. All planes returned.
December
31: Chateau
Bernard airfield; Cognac, France
This target was a secondary target for this mission; too much cloud
cover over the airfield at La Rochelle, France, made this change necessary.
Intense flak was experienced, and 2 planes were lost. "Buzz Buggy"
(42-7577) crashed for an unknown reason and all 10 crewmen were killed.
The second (42-7581) went down after experiencing engine trouble and
enemy fighter damage near Montendre, France. One man was killed, 7 were
taken prisoner, and 2 evaded capture.
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