Quote:
Originally Posted by aldodog
Gentlemen,
I've got the summary report for the 364th FG's mission on 15 Aug 44 and have a couple questions.
1. The mission is described as "Target and withdrawl support 2nd Force FO 516 VIII FC". Can anybody decypher "2nd Force FO 516 VII FC"?
Probably 2nd Task Force which means it was the Bomb Division trailing the First Task Force in the bomber stream. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd BD rotated positions. On this particular day the 2nd BD was the Second Task Force. The 3rd Bomb Dision was split and formed the Third and Fourth Task Forces. The FO 516 refers to Field Order 516 8th Air Force Fighter Command - which in turn details all the bomber and fighter group assignments, route, times and place in the bomber stream.
2. During an engagement with German a/c, the 384th FS "Called Balance Two-Two and Two-Three on “C” channel when bomber formations were attacked, but no response." Does anybody know what group/station used callsign "Balance"? In the book "The Wrong Stuff" by Truman Smith, the author refers to a P-38 squad with that callsign, but I can't find any other reference.
More likely Balance 2-2 and 2-3 were combat wings (2nd and 3rd in formation) within 2nd Task Force that 364FG was assigned to cover.
3. The abbreviation "B/F" is used throughout the report (eg. "The 384th chased them through the B/F to ...") I assume this means "bomber formation".
Bomber Force
Thanks ahead for any enlightenment,
Keith
|
The 2nd Task Force comprised of the 2nd Bomb Division B-24's attacked airfields ranging from Plantlunne to Vechta. The 364th was assigned to R/V at the Target area and then escort their bombers on Withdrawal. For example the 355th was assigned Penetration and Target support to Vechta so it is likely that 364th took over escort and covered the lead wings in the 2nd Task Force.
The 364th was awarded 10-0-1 ( 9 Me 109s and 1 Fw 190) in the general are from Mannheim to Weihaden to Frankfurt area
I could not find Call Sign "Balance" for any Airfield, Bomb Division, Bomb or Fighter Wing, Bomb or Fighter Group or Bomb or Fighter Squadron