September, 1944

September 1944 was to become the month that everyone wished never happened. Primary targets were railroad marshalling yards and aircraft production facilities. On the 27th of September the 445th suffered the largest loss of planes by a single bomb group on a given mission of the war. Less than 60 miles from Kassel was the next largest loss for the 445th - Gotha back in February during "Big Week".

Msn #	Date	Location	Target	A/C Sent	A/C Lost
158	09/05	Karlsruhe, Germany	Railroad Marshalling Yard	22	0
159	09/08	Karlsruhe, Germany	Railroad Marshalling Yard	30	0
160	09/09	Mainz, Germany	Railroad Marshalling Yard	40	2
161	09/10	Ulm, Germany	Railroad Marshalling Yard	39	0
162	09/11	Hannover, Germany	Aircraft Engine Factory	40	0
163	09/12	Misburg, Germany	Oil Refinery	24	1
164	09/13	Ulm, Germany	Munitions Dump	40	0
165	09/21	Koblenz, Germany	Railroad Marshalling Yard	21	0
166	09/22	Kassel, Germany	Henschel Armored Vehicle Plant	24	0
167	09/25	Koblenz, Germany	Mosel Railroad Marshalling Yard	39	0
168	09/26	Hamm, Germany	Railroad Marshalling Yard	27	0
169	09/27	Kassel, Germany	Henschel Aircraft Plant	39⁺	29*
170	09/28	Kassel, Germany	Henschel Aircraft Plant	10	0
171	09/30	Hamm, Germany	Railroad Marshalling Yard	10	0

+ 39 aircraft were originally scheduled. 1 aircraft was a ground abort (cut tire), and 3 aborted prior to reaching the target area due to mechanical problems.

* 25 aircraft went down in the main attack. Ten (10) other aircraft either crashed on the Continent, crashed-landed in England, or made it back to Tibenham (4). Of the 35 attacking aircraft, only 6 would ever fly again.

Webmaster: Mike Simpson

Last Updated: October 04, 2009