TARGET: MARSHALLING YARDS
SIEGEN, GERMANY
29 JANUARY, 1945

The marshalling yards and rail traffic center at Siegen were the targets. The Group comprised the 94th C Combat Wing, with Major Stann as Air Commander. Combat Wing assembly was accomplished without difficulty. The Group followed in wing formation, flying considerably right of briefed course. The Group was in proper position behind the 94th B Wing.

Division assembly line was flown approximately on the briefed route. Flight to the IF was flown as briefed except for slight deviations in course in order to remain in proper position in Division formation. The IP was reached on course, but fifteen minutes early because winds were not as briefed.

Bombing was done in Group formation by means of G-H equipment, because often tenths cloud coverage. The low and high squadrons experienced some difficulty from prop wash. While on the bomb run, the low squadron also lost 1,000 feet of altitude.

Bomb results were unobserved due to cloud coverage. January concluded with the downfall of the German Ardennes Offensive. The Group had flown only 14 missions. The weather proved to be as bad as predicted. At least seven missions were scrubbed because of the weather. Predictions for early February called for a repeat of January’s weather.

Sgt. Leo I. McCombs, 457th/750th radio-operator: Take off at (empty) – landing at (empty). Carrying 4 hours of oxygen and 12 500lbs bombs. On oxygen for 4,5 hours. Meager FLAK. 6.30 hour mission