December
1944
The year ended
with 15 December missions, mostly in support of ground troops. The return
to the states of crewmen finishing their tours became an exodus, and
many new crews were brought in to replace them. All personnel were briefed
on the new GI Bill Of Rights. A Christmas party was held for the children
living nearby. Christmas day was celebrated by a successful mission
and a feast for everyone on base, with enlisted men being served by
officers.
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December
2: Bingen
33 planes attacked the marshalling yards through clouds with unobserved
results. 2 planes and crew were lost for unknown reason, the heavy clouds
masking their troubles from other crews. "She's Mine" (42-95105)
and "Tiger" (42-51100) carried a total of 21 men, all of whom
were killed.
December
4: Koblenz
20 planes attacked the marshalling yards with unobserved results.
December
6: Minden
28 planes attacked a viaduct, and 9 others attacked a rail junction
when they could not form with the main group. Results were unobserved.
December
10: Bingen
The marshalling yards were hit by 37 planes, with unobserved results.
One plane landed in Brussels with engine trouble.
December
11: Karlsruhe
34 planes attacked a rail bridge through heavy clouds with unobserved
results. "Black Magic" (42-110093) was hit by flak and crashed,
killing all 11 crewmen. Photo
December
12: Hanau
The marshalling yards were hit with good results. One plane, "Wedding
Belle" (42-95178), crashed in the channel, killing all 11 on board.
December
19: Kyllburg
After a week of stand down, the group flew in support of ground troops
by bombing road junctions. One plane suffered severe battle damage,
and the crew was forced to bail out over Belgium. All returned safely
to base. Bad weather at the base prevented the crews from landing, and
they had to divert to Manston airbase. They stayed there 3 days before
returning. Photo
December
24: Rheinbach-Euskirchen/Ahrweiller
Several communication centers were hit with good results.
December
25: Murlenbach
The railyards were attacked with good results reported. Photo
December
26: Sinzig
A rail bridge was bombed with excellent results. Direct hits were reported.
December
27: Kaiserslautern
18 planes hit a rail bridge with fair results and 7 more hit Enkenbach.
1 plane (42-50330) crashed on takeoff, killing the pilot. A second plane
(42-50491) experienced multiple engine problems and ditched in the channel,
killing 7 crewmen. The remaining 3 were rescued. A third plane (42-51312)
was hit by flak and the crew was forced to bail out. 6 crewmen were
taken prisoner, and 4 landed in allied occupied territory and returned
to base. A fourth plane, "Shoo Shoo Baby" (42-52747), experienced
severe engine damage and crashed in Belgium. All crewmen bailed out
safely. Photos
December
28: Bullay
19 planes attacked a rail bridge, and 10 more hit the Kaiserslauteren
marshalling yards with unobserved results.
December
29: Heimbach
This mission was scrubbed.
December
30: Mechernich
6 planes attacked the rail yards with unobserved results.
December
31: Remagen
The rail bridge at Remagen was bombed by 25 planes.
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