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COPY NO. 1
ANNEX NO. 1 TO OPERATIONS ORDER FOR 9 June 1944 A-2 Section
HQ. FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE
INTELLIGENCE APO 520, U. S. Army.
1600 hours, 8 June 1944
I. PLAN
The invasion of Northern France has given this Air Force one overriding objective – to give the most direct and immediate aid possible to the invading forces. For this purpose our range is limited, but two objectives are well within range – first, the destruction of GAF production and repair facilities in Southern Germany – second, the dislocation of the South German transportation system.
On the Western Front, the Allies have sufficient air superiority to impose on the defending air force unprecedented losses which, if not replaced, will eliminate the offensive and defensive capabilities of the GAF and leave Germany open to ceaseless air attack. It is, therefore, vital at this time to destroy the enemy’s ability to make good his losses in the air and on the ground. The destruction of Regensburg and the virtual liquidation of the Weiner Neustadter complex have reduced production of Me 109’s to a minimum of salvage. The continuous attacks of the Eighth Air Force have kept Ju 88 and Me 110 production well below the anticipated wastage of the next few months. Successful operation against Augsburg and Budapest have severely curtailed production of other twin engine fighters. It is believed that the enemy will be forced to rely for his replacements primarily on (1) the FW 190 production of the Eastern complex, (2) the remaining productive capacity of ME 410’s and (3) the DO 217.
The FW 190 airframe and assembly complex has proved difficult if not impossible to eliminate from existing bases. Another method of attack is available- the destruction of facilities for production of the BMW 801 engine, required for all new FW 190’s. The two main engine plants are in Munich well within our range. The only remaining known facilities for production of ME 410’s are at the Neuaubing components plant and the undamaged portions of the Oberpfaffenhofen assembly plant, just west of Munich. The primary production and repair installations for the DO 217 are located in Friedrichshafen and the Munich area. The enemy’s principal repair parks in South Germany are at Riem, Neubiberg and Erding, all near Munich.
The second objective – dislocation of the Southern German transportation system – can be started well on the way to accomplishment by destruction of the marshalling yards, repair facilities, stations and railway workshops at Munich, the railway hub of Southern Germany – containing two yards with an aggregate capacity of over five thousand cars, stretching for about eight miles through the center of the city, and controlling virtually all traffic to and from Austria and the Balkans.
One other objective of great importance lies in the same area, one of the largest ordnance depots in Europe, with over fifty sheds of various sizes, handling mainly heavy calibre howitzers of immediate and vital use to the Wehrmacht.
With this situation, the broad plan, comtemplating three days of operations in the Munich – Friedrichshafen area, calls for the complete destruction of all of these objectives. The present plan for nine June, is designed to eliminate at one time the BMW radial engine plants at Allach and
Oberweissenfeld, the Me 410 production at Neuaubing and Oberpfaffenhafen, and the Ordance depot at
Milbertshofan; and at the same time, by putting the entire force over Munich, to bring home to its people a full realization of the striking power which lies just South of them, prepared and able to demolish every building in Bavaria capable of aiding the German war effort.
II. TARGETS
This small plant lies next to the new railway workshops, just west of the suburb of PASSING. The only known Me 410 components factory in production since the severe attacks on Augsburg, it is probably producing about 20 or more A/C per month.
The components from NEUAUBING are assembled at this Airdrome assembly plant. The two buildings and half of a third are the only facilities not severely damaged by Eighth Air Force attacks, and their destruction should eliminate assembly at this plant, as well as destroy many aircraft in various stages of construction in the buildings.
A further objective of this attack is the destruction of aircraft on the ground. For several months there have been large numbers of Do 217’s on the airdrome, many without engines. As engines have become available, the aircraft have been completed and flown away. There remain approximately 40 (12 without engines) all of which will be used as soon as possible on the Western Front. They are dispersed near a heavy growth of trees south of the eastern line of assembly shops, and present an excellent frag target. The latest covers also revealed 15/20 Me 410’s, probably just completed, and located for the most part in front of the assembly buildings.
This large new factory, recently expanded by the construction of two additional shops (shown partially completed on the latest Air Ministry Illustration) is the primary producer of the BMW 801 engine. It is capable of a monthly rate of 300 or more engines, enough to supply all known FW 190 assembly points. April reports indicate that most of the productive machinery from the parent plant at OBERWEISSENFELD have been moved to ALLACH, where production is now concentrated.
The parent plant on the east side of the airdrome, is believed presently engaged in the development and testing of the new BMW 802. Its destruction will stop development of this improved engine, and also prevent transfer of any undamaged machinery from ALLACH, thereby completely stopping production of the BMW at its main center.
This is one of the largest and most important ordnance deports in Germany, particularly in the storage and supply of large calibre howitzers, of which more than 300 have been photographed lined up in the yard at the northeast corner. The depot contains more than 50 sheds of various sizes, only 6 of which were damaged in the RAF attacks.
Specific items of target and briefing material are not listed in this Annex. Target charts on all targets are available. MILBERTSHOFEN appears in the chart covering BMW OBERWEISSENFELD, just northeast of the airdrome. All targets are covered by Air Ministry Illustrations. Additional identification and briefing material accompanies this annex.
III. DEFENSES
The Munich area is defended by 286 heavy guns, with 21/28 batteries converging over the marshalling yards in the center of the city. Axes of attack have been carefully selected to avoid maximum effective concentrations of fire and to saturate the defenses. It is of vital importance that designated axes and rallies be followed closely, as any deviation particularly by the left column will take the formation over the heaviest and most lethal concentration. A reproduction of the flak density chart, showing axes of attack and rallies off target, will be distributed tonight by special courier.
The probable enemy scale of effort in defense of these targets is now estimated on a reduced level. It is appreciated that present enemy committments in the West probably preclude the easy transfer of fighter Gruppen over long distances as heretofore in defense of principal targets within the Reich. On the planned route to target through the North Adriatic area it is believed that fighters now based at Maniago, Lavariano and Osoppo will not be airborne against our formations. Likewise no encounters are expected through the Klagenfurt area and over the Alps. Consider the enemy defense will be limited to the target area and estimate no more than 50 single and 50-60 Twin Engine fighters, and it is believed these figures may be high for operations tomorrow. On return route fighters may follow from the target area to Klagenfurt, with probability of further interception by 25 Me 109’s from Ferarra as returning formations approach North Adriatic. Total opposition of enemy fighters will be not more than 120 single and twin engine aircraft.
IV. ENEMY SITUATION
Germany is now faced with the reality of three major fronts, in Italy, France and Russia. In Italy her ground defenses are crumbling, her army has been defeated, and her air force is no longer capable of a major effort, either offensive or defensive. Late reports announce our troops are in TARQUINIA and CNITA CASTELLANA, with the advance continuing and the Germans in a confused withdrawal. In France she is now defending an offensive of major proportions, backed by tremendous air power. In Russia she faces the prospect of early and strong offensives on two fronts – Poland and Roumania. This situation confronts her at a time when her air productive power is at a low ebb and her air reserves virtually non-existent. The opportunity has arrived for strong and decisive blows to eliminate German air power as a factor in the war, and then to destroy systematically, the means by which her ground forces must support themselves.
V. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF INFORMATION
A. What was the scale of the enemy air effort?
B. Did the enemy bring fighter defenses from the other areas – particularly Vienna and Stuttgart?
C. How long was each formation in flak fire?
D. Were the enemy ground defenses split by simultaneous attack on different objectives?
VI. REPORTS
In accordance with Standard operating procedure
VII. ESCAPE INTELLIGENCE
Strong Partisan influence exists on the ISTRIAN Peninsula and immediately north in northeast Italy and Southern Austria – Escape route: Across border into Yugoslavia.
Escape Bulletins No. 24 and No. 27.
See Operations Memorandum 9-2, 31 May 1944, Section II, para 2, b (5) and Escape Bulletin No. 18, Section VI. Note: PFF aircraft are classified Secret. Instructions pertaining to classified aircraft will be observed accordingly.
If captured – NAME, RANK and SERIAL NUMBER ONLY, See German Interrogation Methods, Part IV, para 3, MAAF Air Intelligence Summary No. 81, 5 June 1944.
OFFICIAL:
R. K. TAYLOR, P. M. BARR,
Colonel, GSC., Colonel, GSC.,
Chief of Staff. Deputy A.C. of S., A-2.
DISTRIBUTION: C of S 1
AG 2
A-2 3
A-3 4
5th Wing 5 - 13
47th Wing 14 - 20
49th Wing 21 - 25
55th Wing 26 - 31
304th Wing 32 - 37
306th Wing 38 - 46
205 Group (RAF) 47 - 51
A-2 File 52
A-2 Analysis 53 - 54
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