TARGET: SYNTHETIC OIL PLANT
POLITZ-STETTIN, POLAND
13 MAY, 1944

Duration of mission 10 hours

Having commenced the campaign to eliminate the German synthetic oil production, the 457th followed up by going to Politz to attack the second largest synthetic oil plant in Germany. This plant produced over 600,000 tons annually. The Group provided eighteen aircraft for the low box of the 94th Combat Wing. Major Theodore C. Hoffman served as AU Commander, and Lt. Malcolm E. Johnson was pilot.

En route to the target area, the 40th and 41st Combat Wings came under vicious attack from FW-190s and Me-109s. The 94th Combat Wing was not intensively attacked. The target area was under approximately eight-tenths cloud coverage, which required PFF bombing, so the bomb run was made on Stettin.

Bombing results were fair with a wide bomb pattern. Flak was moderate to heavy, however only one craft received damage. The Eighth lost fifteen bombers.

From the diary of an unknown crewmember

Flew thru Germany near Denmark, about three outfits shot FLAK at the group. About fifty miles from target some groups were seen flying at about 10000 feet who were attacked by about 100 fighters. Politz, primary target was obscured so secondairy target, Stettin, was bombed using the P.F.F. Heavy FLAK near target, some FLAK near Denmark on way back.

From the diary of 2nd Lt. John O. Millham, navigator 749th BS:

Stettin    08.00 – 18.00

City        Ship 297656

Flew with Mattatal’s crew. Went through Germany near Denmark. Warned crew about fighters we met there on Easter Sunday. Told them there wouldn’t be much FLAK there but about three outfits shot at us. About fifty miles west of target we met some groups flying about 10000 ft.  While we were watching they were attacked by about hundred fighters. Politz, the primary target, was obscured so we bombed Stettin, the secondary with P.F.F. Heavy FLAK but it didn’t bother us. Uneventful trip home except for a little FLAK near Denmark. Later that night I was complimented by Jordan Mattatal’s bombardier for being able to navigate and look out for the enemy at the same time.