Description

The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are again designated as the primary target for this mission follwing the abortive attempt of 2-Feb-43. However, weather and extreme cold frustrate this operation also. The main attacking force consists of 65 B-17s despatched from: 91BG (17); 303BG (13) 305BG (18) and 306BG (16). Cloud cover prevents bombing of the primary target at Hamm, Germany and the formation diverts to the target of last resort, the industrial area of Emden, Germany. Only 39 of the 65 despatched are effective on the target. Of the 18 despatched by 305BG, none are able to bomb. 5 B-17s are lost, one of these due to a mid-air collision with a German FW190. One B-17 from 91BG joins one B-24 from 44BG (both aborts) in dropping their bomb loads on a German ship convoy in the North Sea (results not determined).



Another formation of 21 B-24s is also despatched to attack the marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany: 44BG (15) and 93BG (6), but extreme cold (-40C) causes the formation to abort and turn back near the Dutch coast. There are no losses in this formation.