TARGET: SYNTHETIC OIL PLANT
RHEINE, GERMANY
20 JANUARY, 1945

The Group comprised the 94th B Combat Wing with Major Maguire as Air Commander. The primary target was the synthetic oil plant at Sterkrade. Combat Wing assembly was accomplished as briefed. Some interference was encountered from contrails. The Group was in proper position in Division formation. Division assembly line was flown approximately as briefed.

Course to the IP was flown in trail of the 94th AGroup Leader. Deviations to left and right of course were necessary in order to stay in Division column.

The IP was crossed south of course. The Micro-H equipment was not functioning properly and it brought the formation southeast of the briefed target. The Group continued right of course, and because the formation was a considerable distance from the primary, it was decided to make a run on the secondary target. The Group came over the briefed IP for the secondary target, the railway center at Rheine. Bombing was done in group formation, by means of instruments because of ten tenths cloud coverage. Photos of bombing results showed nothing but clouds.

Six aircraft sustained flak damage.

Sgt. Leo I. McCombs, 457th/750th radio-operator: Take off at 07.04 – landing at 13.35. Carrying 10 500lbs bombs. On oxygen for 4,5 hours. Results were good, PFF bombing, moderate FLAK. Temperatures of -62/-72. Oxygen system out except for Radio Operator, Left Waist Gunner and Tail Gunner