TARGET: MARSHALLING YARDS
FRANKFURT, GERMANY
25 SEPTEMBER, 1944

Thirty-six aircraft were dispatched to form the 94th B Combat Wing, attacking the east marshalling yards in Frankfurt, Germany. The rail lines in the city were handling extra heavy traffic for the Western Front and the ground forces were anxious that they be eliminated. The Group was led by Lt. Cot. Francis, with Lt. Brackley as pilot. The Group’s position was eighth in the Division line.

The route over England was flown as briefed. The English coast was crossed, and Belgium was entered near Ostend.

By the time the Wing reached the IP, the ground was completely obscured by cloud cover reaching to 20,000 feet. The formation flew at 26,000 feet as it turned on the bomb run. The Wing Leader gave the box leaders a PFF target and directions to follow in trail in a visual bombing formation, to avoid the risk of the target being uncovered at the last minute. Another wing turned at the IP, behind the B Combat Wing and both were on the bomb run at the same time, the other wing being 2,000 feet higher. The Group found it impossible to bomb without being hit by bombs falling from the wing above, so it made a 360 degree turn.

The second run from the IP lasted five minutes, and the previously agreed upon target was identified. Bombs were dropped. At this point, the enemy began putting up a moderate barrage of antiaircraft fire, but it was low and south of the formation. A solid undercast at the target had made bomb results unobservable.

All ships returned to the Base without battle damage.