21 June 1944 - Mission to Ruhland/Shuttle Mission

[Artur P.]

Dear All,

On June 21, 1944, 145 B-17s of the 3rd BD/8th AF took part in a shuttle mission to the USSR. During the flight, two bomber wings bombed the synthetic oil plant at Ruhland. During the first part of the route, the formation was covered in shifts by several fighter groups (72 P-38s, 57 P-51s and 38 P-47s). Later, over Poland, 65 P-51s from the 4th FG and the 486th FS/352nd FG took over as escort.

Does anyone know which fighter groups/squadrons covered the B-17s attacking Ruhland during the first part of the route to the former Polish-German border, and in what order?

Regards,
Artur

[MW Giles]

The plan was as follows, sent at 02:45 hrs BDST

Z= 06:35 hrs

1st Force Frantic Effort, 3rd Division 3CW 48 a/c to GQ-1519 Ruhland (Schwarzheide) , Braunkohle Benzin AG

Lowestoft Z+32 6000ft
5400N 0540E Z+114
5400N 0800E Z+143 20000ft 56FG P-47
5255N 1030E Z+179 355FG P-51
5232N 1124E Z+193
5157N 1251E Z+215
5119N 1318E Z+228
Target
5135N 1400E Z+240 15000ft
5147N 1640E Z+278 4FG + 1 Sqn 352FG P-51
etc

56FG to escort 1st Force which were the last three CWs in the column that were following the 3rd Force of B-24s
355FG to fly from 5255N 1030E to 5147N 1640E or limit of endurance

The 3rd Force, 2nd Div 7CWs of B-24s 72 a/c to Genshagen, Marienfeld and Niederschonweide

Lowestoft Z+18 12000ft
5345N 0500E Z+69 371FG P-47 Front of force
5400N 0540E Z+79 20000ft
5400N 0800E Z+105 78FG P-47 First 3 CW
353FG P-47 Last 4CW
5255N 1030E Z+137 354FG P-51 First 3 CW
363FG P-51 Last 4CW
5230N 1125E Z+150 23000ft
5207N 1231E Z+165 352FG P-51 Penetration
5152N 1337E Z+179
5202N 1412E Z+188
etc

Therefore forces separate around 5230N 1125E, before that the Frantic bombers some protection from the fighters covering the B-24s in the 7CWs ahead of them

What actually happened you will have to find elsewhere

Martin

[Artur P.]

Martin,

I'am very grateful for your quick response and detailed information.

Best regards,
Artur

[Peter Randall]

Artur P.
I have the 56FG mission summaries for this - they flew A and B Groups. The ongoing problems with this site will not let me post them. If you PM me your email address, I will send them. Also have full 56FG lineup for the mission if you want it.