TARGET: SYNTHETIC OIL PLANT
LUTZKENDORF-GIESSEN, GERMANY
13 SEPTEMBER, 1944

Thirty-six aircraft were dispatched to attack the synthetic oil plant at Lutzkendorf. This target was bombed last on 12 May 1944, with only minor results. Lt. Cot. Wilson was Air Commander and Lt. Stafford was pilot. The 457th comprised the 94th A Combat Wing, third in the Division line. Leaving the English coast, the Group crossed the Channel and made landfall at the Belgian coast. At a point southeast of Cologne, the formation turned toward the IF.

The lead box dropped its bombs from 27,900 feet on the primary target. Although smoke covered most of the target area, a partial pattern was photographed, starting at the western end of the target and extending into the town as far as 2500 feet from the MPI. One explosion in oil tanks was noted in the area.

Fair results were observed from bombs of the high and low boxes, which hit the southern end of the marshalling yards at Giessen. Bombs were dropped from 25,500 feet after two passes. Although no flak was encountered at Giessen, fairly accurate, moderate tracking fire lasted for about three minutes at Lutzkendorf As a result, twelve planes received minor and four major damage.

From the diary of 751st BS gunner Sgt. Albert G. Williams:
“Sixth mission completed. We toured Germany practically alone. Numbers 1 & 2 superchargers went out. We hooked onto a 7 or 8-ship formation – having similar difficulties – and in picking out a target, chose one of the heaviest FLAK areas in Germany. After yesterday’s mission, everyone seems trigger-happy – every P-51 became an enemy fighter. A stand down for tomorrow.”