467th Bombardment Group Research

8th AF Mission #911: Operations in support of Operation Varsity, American and British forces crossing the Rhine. Airfields in west and north-west Germany were all attacked visually with most Groups flying morning and afternoon missions. The 96CBW were assigned the target of Kirtorf Airfield for the afternoon mission.

The 467th led the Wing and Division providing 29 ships in three squadrons.

The lead crews departed Rackheath at 1320hours in good weather.

Leading the Group, Wing, and Division was Lt Col Wallace with the Capt Jensen Crew#086-R4 aboard 44-49591, deputy lead was Capt Voyles with the Lt McCabe Crew#081-R4 aboard 42-51671. Second squadron was led by Lt Moseley aboard 44-49340, with the third squadron led by Lt Summers with the Lt Barry Crew#091-R3.

Group and Wing assemblies were good and the brief route followed with only minor deviations. The first and second squadrons comprising 18 ships bombed visually at 1719hrs from 20,000ft with excellent results showing a good pattern on the MPI. However, the third squadron comprising 11 ships, failed to bomb the primary as the Lead Crew experienced a gyro failure put down to prop wash causing it to tumble, turning the lead over to the deputy crew. This crew opted not to toggle as the No.4 ship slid under the lead at the point of release. The third squadron bombed a target of opportunity by visual methods, Railway yards near Allendorf with numerous hits observed. Meager inaccurate flak was encountered at the battle-line coming out, but no enemy fighters were seen. It was reported returning RAF aircraft interfered with the assembly by flying through the assembly area.

All 29 Group ships returned to Rackheath with no loss or damage. Fighter support was fair.

Additional comment: Max Hoffbauer, gunner on the 790th Lt Davis Crew#057-R2.

"....Mission number #31; target location - Kirtorf, Germany; bomb load 52x100lb = 5200lbs; gas load 2300gal; bombing altitude 22,000ft; air temp -30C; time in air 6 hours; bombing method visual, target - airfield.
Fine mission. No flak except a little coming back across the bomb line. Had music over comms. all the way home. Made the mission a lot shorter. There were two missions from our field, we flew the second. Took off at 1320 and landed at 1920. We flew "Witchcraft" on its 121st mission without an abort....."