Joint 91st Bomb Group / A2A B-17G Group - mission 03/26/2011
Today the pilots of the 91st Bomb Group, having just returned from a mission to Rouen, were ordered to refuel and rearm their aircraft for a joint mission with the A2A group to strike two dams in the Ruhr River Valley.
The A2A Group took off from Deenethrope as the 91st BG took off from Bassingbourn. Rendezvous for the two groups was over the Clacton VOR. A successful link-up was made and the combined force crossed the channel, while climbing to the enroute altitude of 25,000'. The force crossed the Belgium coast near Zeebrugge and Heist then continued on to Antwerp. Light flak was encountered from batteries in the coastal area and again in the Antwerp area.
At Antwerp the groups turned eastward toward the IP, east of Venlo and just nort of Krefeld. As with the earlier mission to Rouen, weather over the continent was good at altitude but low clouds obscured visibility of ground landmarks. At the IP the groups turned to a course to take them over the first target, assigned to the A2A group, which was the dam above Werden.
Approaching the target, the reservoir was clearly identified but the dam itself was only visible for brief instants through the cloud cover. Never the less, a drop was made but no BDA is available at this time.
The second target, assigned to the 91st BG, was the dam below Witten. Again, the reservoir was identified and again the dam was only seen briefly. The 91st made their drop on the dam and the groups then proceeded to Dortmund before turning back to the west for egress.
Flak was moderate to heavy over both targets but no losses were encountered in the target area.
Egress to the sea was made near Rotterdam. Again, flak was encountered in the area. Two aircraft were lost before reacing the safety of the North Sea, due to prior damaage over the targets. The fate of the crews is unknown at this time.
Descent from altitude began approximately 60 miles from the Cambridge NDB, northest of Bassignbourn. At the Cambridge NDB the A2A group began setting up for the approach and landing at Bassigbourn on Rwy 25, for a joint mission debrief. The 91st BG aircraft broke off and proceeded to the area of the field to land after the A2A group had put down.
The weather in the Bassignbourn area was much improved over that of the morning mission to Rouen. As a result, all aircraft made good landings there inspite of the fact that the A2A pilots were unfamiliar with the airfield except for pre-mission maps that were made available. As the A2A pilots taxiied to the apron, parked and exited their aircraft, they were treated to a low pass fly-by of the 91st Bomb Group aircraft as those pilots flew down Rwy 25 in preparation for their break and return to land.
The debrief resulted in accolades for all involved and the conclusion was that the mission was a success.
Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
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- A2A Master Mechanic
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Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
Paul
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- A2A Master Mechanic
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Re: Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
More screenshots from the planning to the recon mission.
The A2A Groups route:
The 91st Bomb Groups route
The targets and areas of heavy flak concentrations
The A2A Groups route:
The 91st Bomb Groups route
The targets and areas of heavy flak concentrations
- Norforce
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Re: Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
A great team flight great fun had by all
Thanks 91st and Gypsy Baron for the great flak effects
A2A Sqd lined up @ RAF Deenethorpe
The lone fighter escort
Forming up over the English channel
Crossing the coast into Europe
Every body ok
Oh no we've lost one Bail out boys Bail out
Heading for the bomb run
Over the site
Heading for the Coast
Coast in site
More flak leaving the coast heading for home
Starting decent from angles 25 to 3000ft A2A flight diverted from RAF Deenethorpe to RAF Bassingbourn
Fly by over RAF Bassingbourn B-17 & the lone P-47
On the ground Don doing his bit
Taxi to debrief
91st doing their flyby very nice boys
Debrief
Thanks 91st and Gypsy Baron for the great flak effects
A2A Sqd lined up @ RAF Deenethorpe
The lone fighter escort
Forming up over the English channel
Crossing the coast into Europe
Every body ok
Oh no we've lost one Bail out boys Bail out
Heading for the bomb run
Over the site
Heading for the Coast
Coast in site
More flak leaving the coast heading for home
Starting decent from angles 25 to 3000ft A2A flight diverted from RAF Deenethorpe to RAF Bassingbourn
Fly by over RAF Bassingbourn B-17 & the lone P-47
On the ground Don doing his bit
Taxi to debrief
91st doing their flyby very nice boys
Debrief
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- A2A Master Mechanic
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Re: Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
You got some great shots there Ron!
And BTW, thanks for taking the lead on the mission!
Paul
And BTW, thanks for taking the lead on the mission!
Paul
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Re: Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
Great Shots !!!! and Mission Log !!!!
Wish I had known about this flight. I would have had my Shannon Productions aircraft in the air filming all the action.
Wish I had known about this flight. I would have had my Shannon Productions aircraft in the air filming all the action.
Major Bates
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Re: Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
Great Shots !!!!!
Great write up in the Mission Flight Log, Gypsy.
Wish I had known about this flight. I would have had the Shannon Productions aircraft up in the air filming all the action.
Next time.
Great write up in the Mission Flight Log, Gypsy.
Wish I had known about this flight. I would have had the Shannon Productions aircraft up in the air filming all the action.
Next time.
Major Bates
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Re: Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
My photo's
A2A group lined up at Deenethorpe
Passing Ice Cold Katy after take-off
And Don's aircraft
At the cruise
FLAK! Hold on!
Cleared the flak, nice view!
Close formation: Ron's top gunner handing me a well needed cup of coffee.
More flak, hold on!
Formation flyby with Ron
Yes I really was that low
Scaring the be-jezus out of Paul
Flyby from the 91st
We lost a B-17 on the way, and gained a submarine? What is it, typhoon class?
Nice lineup
Next week into YHID!
A2A group lined up at Deenethorpe
Passing Ice Cold Katy after take-off
And Don's aircraft
At the cruise
FLAK! Hold on!
Cleared the flak, nice view!
Close formation: Ron's top gunner handing me a well needed cup of coffee.
More flak, hold on!
Formation flyby with Ron
Yes I really was that low
Scaring the be-jezus out of Paul
Flyby from the 91st
We lost a B-17 on the way, and gained a submarine? What is it, typhoon class?
Nice lineup
Next week into YHID!
- mountainhighair
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Re: Joint A2A Group - 91st Bomb Group Ruhr Valley Mission
This is the coolest thing I have ever seen.
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