POL Target in Harburg (Hamburg area), Germany, 20 June 1944

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Notation in album: "A Hit!"

Precision strikes on an oil facility (refinery and storage) in Hamburg. Compare to a current map of the area, or download a Google Earth placemark file (contains an image, so it will take a while, and you have to have Google Earth installed on your computer to see it). Once downloaded, open it in Google Earth, right-click on the file in the "Places" menu, select "Properties", and adjust "Transparency" to see how the photo matches the current aerial view.

Narrative of LtCol Alfred C Nuttall, 41st "B" Combat Bombardment Wing Air Commander.

Sixteen (16) aircraft of the 384th took off between 0456 and 0528 hours to form the Lead Group in the 41st "B" Combat Bombardment Wing. AAF Station 105 supplied Lead and Deputy Lead PFF aircraft for this Group.

We were at the IP at 0912 hours, 25,000 feet.

Weather over the target was CAVU with a slight ground haze prevailing. Flak was very intense and very accurate. The target was picked up and bombs were away at 0923 hours from 25,000 feet and results are believed to be good. Huge columns of black smoke was arising from the target to 15,000 feet before we arrived.

Narrative of 2Lt John M Haning, who assumed lead of the Low Group of the 41st "B" Combat Bombardment Wing because the Low Group Leader (Maj Stallings) aborted, and the Deputy Group Leader (Lt Thoma) was killed on the bomb run.

Eighteen (18) aircraft of the 384th took off between 0512 and 0530 hours to form the Low Group in the 41st "B" Combat Bombardment Wing. The Group Leader aborted and turned back at the enemy coast, and the Deputy Group Leader immediately took over the lead.

Weather over the target was CAVU. At the IP, we could see huge palls of smoke rising from the target area from the previous Groups. Flak was very intense and very accurate, barrage and CPP type fire was observed, with a few ground rockets. Bombs were away at 0924 hours, 24,000 feet in a magnetic heading of 276 degrees and results are believed to be good.

When we were informed that Lt Thoma had been killed by flak on the bomb run, we immediately took over lead of the Group.

Webmaster Comment: Notice the flames shooting out the top of the smoke... I remember my Dad [Robert Preller, co-pilot on Gibson crew of 546th, May-September 1944] telling me that after an attack on Hamburg he looked back and saw smoke and flames shooting above their altitude. I couldn't believe that could happen, but I should have known better. After all, he was there!

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