15th Army Air Forces; WWII
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June Mission Plans 15 May 1944

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH WING (US)

APO #520

15 May 1944

SUBJECT:  Plans for Accomplishing June Mission.

TO        ;  Commanding General, 15th Air Force, APO #520.

  1. The following tentative plan is submitted under the following premises:
    1. That the force should be complete upon its landing on Russian bases in order to carry out sustained operations in support of the Russian Army.
    2. That the necessary force will be intact to carry out the mission against the priority target in Northern Germany.
  2. Analyzing the above premises, if the raid on the priority target in Northern Germany were conducted from Foggia area and landing made in Russia, it is considered very probable that the force would be so depleted and battle-damaged, that further sustained operations would have to be made with insufficient striking force and the accomplishment in the eyes of the Russians would be unfavorable.  In order to accomplish both missions it is felt that a token raid enroute would accomplish any mission for publicity purposes by carrying a small bomb load.  Necessary tools, personnel and supplies could then be carried on this shuttle bombing mission which would insure immediate full-scale operations after landing in Russia.

 

P L A N

  1. FORCE.  Four (4) heavy Bombardment Groups, consisting of 38 B-17-G aircraft each, of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 483rd Bombardment Groups.
  2. PERSONNEL.
    1. The Commanding Officers of the 2nd, 99th and 483rd Bombardment Groups to command the three operational bases in Russia.  Personnel and equipment of the 97th Bomb Group to be equally located at the three different fields.  (If it is possible for two groups to be at one field, the 99th and 97th Groups will jointly occupy this one field.)
    2. Assuming that each base will have limited maintenance and operational personnel, the following to move as the Air Echelon –
        1. Wing –

Wing Commanding Officer.

Wing Intelligence Officer.

Wing Operations Officer.

Wing Communications Officer.

        1. Each Group –

Group Commander.

Group Deputy Commander.

Group Operations Officer, with one clerk.

Group Intelligence Officer, with one clerk.

Group Engineering Officer.

Group Engineering Inspector.

38 Combat Crews.

        1. Each Squadron –

Squadron Commander.

Squadron Operations Officer with one clerk.

Two (2) Crew Chiefs.

Qualified radio operator.

Specialists – A.F.C.E.

            Turret

            Armament

            Propeller

            Electrical

            Parachute rigger (?)

(Note:  Personnel indicated above to act as air crew members on the initial shuttle mission to the Russian bases, making a total of not more than 11 men per airplane.)

  1. SUPPLIES.  It is assumed that the necessary ordnance, signal, medical and Air Force supplies, including gas, oil, ammunition, bombs, photographic film and oxygen will be available for operations upon arrival.
    1. One non-operational B-17 transport to accompany each group formation on the shuttle mission for the purpose of carrying additional supplies and equipment necessary for sustained operations.
    2. Armament supplies –
        1. 20 shackles, per airplane.
        2. 6 A-2 releases, per airplane.
        3. Complete set of pyrotechnic flares, plus extras, per airplane.
        4. 1 bomb-sight maintenance kit per group.
        5. 1 full gun-cleaning set per aircraft.
    3. Maintenance supplies –
        1. Crew chief kit, per airplane.
        2. Hand refueling pump per airplane.
        3. 2 sets spark plus per airplane.
        4. 1 small fly- away supply, miscellaneous, per airplane.
        5. 1 extra medical kit per airplane.

(Note:  Items listed in c. above to be carried as far as possible in non-operational transport B-17s.)

    1. P. F. F.  If Pathfinder airplanes are contemplated in this operation, NICKIE maintenance personnal and equipment to be taken.
    2. Miscellaneous -  Personal clothing and equipment to include gas masks and mess equipment to be held to a minimum consistent with verbal instructions that this operation will last a maximum of three weeks.
  2. INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY.
    1. The four groups in question will be alerted D-day minus 3 on a contemplated shuttle mission to the “U. K.” (for confusion) for security reasons, this being necessary in order that the necessary planning and equipping of the force can be realized.
    2. Necessary maps, charts, target folders, etc., for contemplated operations from Russian bases to be dispatched on a non-operational routing over friendly territory to the Russian bases.  The collection of this material to be the responsibility of the 5th Wing Intelligence Officer.

 

C. W. LAWRENCE

Colonel, A. C.

Commanding

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