HEADQUARTERS
ONE HUNDREDTH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), AAF
Office of the Operations Officer
APO # 634

7 January 1944

SUBJECT: Navigational Narrative Ludwigshaven Mission of January 7, 1944

T0: Commanding Officer, 100^th Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Force

1. The 100^th was briefed to fly low group in the 13^th Combat Wing, which was the third wing in the Third Division. Due to circumstances beyond our control we were unable to tack on to our Combat Wing until just after bombs away.
2. The briefed course was followed by all the groups from the enemy in. However, as our group left the English Coast at 1002 plus 30’ at Frinton-On-sea all other groups were leaving the English Coast at what appeared to me to be near Orfordness. Our group hit the enemy coast going in at 51 45 North and 05 12 East at 1035 hours. The next turn was made at 1045 hours at 51 46 North and 01 17 East turning at 1156 hours , and from there to the I.P. at 1121 hours. From then on we held a good course our. At 1150 we were at 49 32 North and 01 17 East. At 1220 hours at 49 45 North and 05 25 East. At 1220 hours at 49 45 North and 05 25 East, at 1255 hours we were at 49 53 North and 03 25 East and crossed the coast out point at 1318 hours over Le Crotey. The English Coast was crossed just east of Hastings at 1337 hours. From here the 100^th Group proceeded to base, landing at 1427 hours.
3. A run of 13 minutes was made from the I.P. to the target on a true heading of 102 degrees. Bombs were away at 1134 hours from 22,300 feet. The group was in good formation at the time bombs were away.
4. The equipment did not work too well. Gee was only good to about 02 00 East, radio compass failed to work; the flux-gate compass had not been swung, so was not accurate.
5. Everything was proceeding as planned when we received a call to rendezvous at Splasher #6 instead of #5. We then proceeded to Splasher #6 when two groups came in behind us firing GG flares at 0951 hours. The 100^th "S’d" to get the lead wing ahead of us. As we "S’d" and turned out to the control point Clachon, the lead and the other groups cut short and headed directly across the channel. By their cutting the briefed course short they go so far ahead of us we were unable to catch them until we cut them off between the target and the rally point.

LEONARD A. WICKENS
1^st Lt., Air Corps
Lead Navigator

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