January,
1944
Mission preparations
were becoming more routine in the 446th's second month, and this allowed
for more to be flown. The 705th squadron began a streak of 25 consecutive
missions without the loss of a plane. The first awards of the Air Medal
were made to 446th personnel for participating in 5 missions over enemy
territory.
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January
4: Kiel
13 planes bombed the city of Kiel, with 11 more experiencing mechanical
problems which forced their return before they could accomplish their
mission objective. One crewman died from a lack of oxygen. Bombs were
believed to have hit the city itself and it's surrounding areas. There
was moderate-heavy flak, but chaff dropped by lead planes reduced it's
severity.
January
5: Kiel
15 planes bombed the harbor at Kiel, along with the shipbuilding yards,
with good results. Incendiaries burst in the northeast section of the
harbor, north of the naval base, and on the south side of the entrance
to Kiel canal. More fell within the Deutshe Werk shipbuilding yards.
Smoke was seen from 100 miles away. S/Sgt Edward Partridge received
credit for shooting down a JU 88.
January
7: Ludwigshaven
This mission was aborted when heavy overcast prevented the planes from
meeting the 392nd bomb group.
January
11: Brunswick
This mission was recalled when the weather took a turn for the worse.
January
14: Noball target at St Pierre-des-Jonquies, France
Railroad tracks on each side of a bridge and runways and buildings at
an airdrome were hit. A photograph showed a heavy concentration of bursts
on and around a 12-span railroad. Direct hits were observed on the primary
target area, a buzz bomb launch site. The group would be grounded for
the next week due to poor weather.
January
21: Noball target
The group was unable to locate the target due to cloud cover and was
forced to turn back. On their way home, they were met by intense flak,
which heavily damaged one plane, "Merle Lee" (42-7584), forcing
a crash landing in the UK. There were no casualties. Photos
January
28: Noball target
The target was bombed successfully by 25 of the 26 planes that took
off. One plane did not drop when another plane flew under it, avoiding
a catastrophe.
January
29: Frankfurt
24 planes dropped on Frankfurt with good results. One plane, "Hula
Wahine" (42-7578) piloted by 2/Lt Ernest Bruce, lost all 4 superchargers.
Fighting off repeated enemy fighter attacks while flying 75 feet over
Belgium, the pilot crash landed at an RAF base with 2 wounded crewmen.
Photos
January
30: Brunswick
1,146 bombs were dropped on Brunswick, in one of the coldest missions
yet flown, -18C. There was little enemy opposition.
January
31: Noball target
This mission was scrubbed when the planes failed to assemble, but 2
planes "tagged along" with the 389th bomb group and bombed
the intended target.
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