Mission preparations were becoming more routine in the 446th’s second month, and this allowed for more to be flown. The 705th squadron began a streak of 25 consecutive missions without the loss of a plane. The first awards of the Air Medal were made to 446th personnel for participating in 5 missions over enemy territory.
Mission Details
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January 4: Kiel
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January 5: Kiel
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January 7: Ludwigshaven
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January 11: Brunswick
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January 14: Noball target at St Pierre-des-Jonquies, France
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January 21: Noball target
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January 28: Noball target
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January 29: Frankfurt
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January 30: Brunswick
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January 31: Noball target
13 planes bombed the city of Kiel, with 11 more experiencing mechanical problems which forced their return before they could accomplish their mission objective. One crewman died from a lack of oxygen. Bombs were believed to have hit the city itself and it's surrounding areas. There was moderate-heavy flak, but chaff dropped by lead planes reduced it's severity.
15 planes bombed the harbor at Kiel, along with the shipbuilding yards, with good results. Incendiaries burst in the northeast section of the harbor, north of the naval base, and on the south side of the entrance to Kiel canal. More fell within the Deutshe Werk shipbuilding yards. Smoke was seen from 100 miles away. S/Sgt Edward Partridge received credit for shooting down a JU 88.
This mission was aborted when heavy overcast prevented the planes from meeting the 392nd bomb group.
This mission was recalled when the weather took a turn for the worse.
Railroad tracks on each side of a bridge and runways and buildings at an airdrome were hit. A photograph showed a heavy concentration of bursts on and around a 12-span railroad. Direct hits were observed on the primary target area, a buzz bomb launch site. The group would be grounded for the next week due to poor weather.
The group was unable to locate the target due to cloud cover and was forced to turn back. On their way home, they were met by intense flak, which heavily damaged one plane, "Merle Lee" (42-7584), forcing a crash landing in the UK. There were no casualties.
The target was bombed successfully by 25 of the 26 planes that took off. One plane did not drop when another plane flew under it, avoiding a catastrophe.
24 planes dropped on Frankfurt with good results. One plane, "Hula Wahine" (42-7578) piloted by 2/Lt Ernest Bruce, lost all 4 superchargers. Fighting off repeated enemy fighter attacks while flying 75 feet over Belgium, the pilot crash landed at an RAF base with 2 wounded crewmen.
1,146 bombs were dropped on Brunswick, in one of the coldest missions yet flown, -18C. There was little enemy opposition.
This mission was scrubbed when the planes failed to assemble, but 2 planes "tagged along" with the 389th bomb group and bombed the intended target.