Shuttle Bombing Operations to Russia

HEADQUARTERS

UNITED STATES STRATEGIC AIR FORCES IN EUROPE

Office of the Commanding General

3 May 1944

SUBJECT:  Shuttle Bombing Operations to Russia

TO:       Commanding General, 15th Air Force, APO 520, U. S. Army (Thru Commanding General, MAAF)

1. You have been provided with a letter from the U. S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, subject, “Shuttle Bombing Operations Utilizing Bases in Russia”, dated 28 April 1944.  This letter outlines the planned installations and logistic support for these operations.
2. Although Paragraph 6 of this letter indicates that the initial operation will be made from U.K., I believe that the OVERLORD situation may make it essential that the first operation be conducted by a combat wing of the 15th Air Force.
3. In accordance with our conversation on this subject, I wish you would make plans to move a combat wing of approximately 150 heavy bombers and one group of fighters to the Russian bases early in June.  The actual timing of this operation will depend upon the state of completion of the air bases in Russia and your own local committments.
4. Upon arrival at the Russian bases, desire that the combat wing be prepared to make several attacks against the German aircraft industry in the Posen area.  It is assumed that the 15th Air Force has complete target folders covering these targets.  If not, send to this headquarters a request that they be provided to you.
5. I will obtain from the Russian government their desires as to the targets to be hit enroute into Russia.
6. The necessity for the full utilization of the Russian facilities provided is well known to you, as well as the necessity for fullest cooperation with the Russians during FRANTIC operations to assist them by attacking targets of their selection.  To achieve this end, at least one additional strategic target should be selected by the Russians in addition to their selection of the target for the first shuttle operation.
7. This Headquarters will keep you fully informed as to the status of our arrangements in Russia, to include command setup in the Poltava area, our headquarters setup in Moscow and all further developments in our negotiations and preparations.

 

/s/ Carl Spaatz

/t/ CARL SPAATZ

Lieutenant General, USA

Commanding

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