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31 Dc ;tober 19)43
A VIII BV3BER CU I AND OPERATIONS FROMyi THE POINT OF VIEW OF BOIIING ACCU.CY.
1 January
which
operations have been conducted int this Theater over the past 15 months have compelled not only the development and putting into effect of new bombing techniques and tactical procedures, but likewise of new methods of evaluating the results of such operations. The assessment of the bombing results of heavy bombardment units operating under VIII Bomber Command, from the viewpoint of bombing accur-
acy, has been one of the functions of the Operational Research Section attached to this Command. In performing this work, a very large amount It is believed that the time has come when
it will be useful to give an account of (a) the methods which have been
formulated in making quantitative evaluations of our bombing, and (b) the
results of, and the lessons learned from, the application of these criteria to our operations since 1 January 1943. memorandum. To these ends, this memorandum has been divided into two parts: Such are the purposes of this
Part
2.
V
A. B. C. Pattern aiming errors Pattern characteristics Assessment of accuracy of Group atacks b around aiming points. counts
"
DOD
PART II
RESULTS OF APPLICATION OF THESE CRITERIA TO OPERATIONS
SINCE 1 JANUARY
Review of operations as a whole.
1943
1. 2.
Certain specific relationships which have been shown to affect bombing results in this Theater. A. Effect of different techniques of releasing bombs when attacking in formation. Effect of pattern sizes on the percent of bombs placed within 1000 feet of the aiming point. Problems connected with the size of the overall attacking forces.
B.
C.
At the end of this memorandum will be found two supplementary appendices: Appendix I: Basic Data and uieasurements. Classification of Patterns by Area and Aiming Error.
Appendix II:
Part
THE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PATTERN BOLBING Je take it that there are two basic objectives in any study of bombing accuracy as such: (1) to point the direction in which steps for
the improvement of bombing should proceed, through the isolation of the nature and causes of bomb dispersion; and (2) to provide a guide as to
the most effective use of a bombing force, through a knowledge of its capabilities. Hence, any methods for the quantitative analysis of bombing First, they must be
discriminating, in that they must measure not only overall results, but the important components as well, so that the relation between particular causes and their associated effects will not be concealed by broad observations drawn from a heterogeneous mixture of causes. Second, such
methods must be penetrating, in that they should result in furnishing a reasonable basis upon which to base predictions for future operations or disposition of forces, by the theory of probability or otherwise.
-2-
e Necessity for. Segregating the Bobfalls of the Separate Group Formations. Essential to the attainment of the two basic objectives of bombing accuracy analysis, mentioned above, is the development of a technique for segregating the separate bombfalls of the respective Group formations composing an attacking force. The necessity for this arises
from the fact that combat conditions in this Theater are such as to make it defensively impossible for individual aircraft to bomb, one at a time, a given target. Our bombers are forced to attack from tight defensive
formations, the basic unit of which has been the Group, comprising up to 21 aircraft. In consequence, in formation bombing we are concerned prim-
arily with the pattern or the Group bombfall as a whole rather than with the individual bombs dropped by the several aircraft. Various methods of sighting and releasing bombs from such Group formations have been tried, ranging from a technique where one man's sighting operation controls all the bombs of the Group, to one in which independent sighting operations are carried out in each aircraft, at least for range. Hence, any method of analysis which fails to take
into account the bombing results achieved by individual Group formations will scarcely be revealing. Suppose, for example, that an attack on a
certain target was carried out by four Group formations, and suppose that photographs reveal that one-half of all the bombs dropped by the entire attacking force fell within the effective target area. Although this is
highly useful information, it leaves one in the dark as to whether (a) two Group formations dropped in and two dropped out, or (b) each of the four Groups put about half of its bombs in. Clearly, information as to
what was done by each Group is crucial when it comes to the question of what is causing bombing errors and what to do about it, as well as in any comparison between different bombing techniques. The segregation of the individual Group bombfalls is accomplished by study of the photographs taken frqm the aircraft during the bombing attack. Suffice it to say here that it has been found possible to
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the individual Groups in all but a comparatively few cases where, because other special circumof the lack of adequate photographic coverageor or stances, the application of the technique becomes impossible. This segre-
gation constitutes the cornerstone on which all of the analysis work described in this memorandum rests. 2. Analysis Resulting from Segregation of Group Bombfalls.
Having in hand a large number of individual Group bomb plots, we have undertaken to analyze the results quantitatively, in the following three different respects: A. How well are these patterns being aimed?
'B. What are the pattern characteristics? C. What percentage of bombs are being placed within specified distances of pre-assigned aiming points?
We proceed to discuss these in more detail. A. Pattern Aiming Errors The error in aiming each individual Group bombfall has been determined as follows: Since all of our daylight operations over the European Continent involve formation bombing, it was decided that it would be appropriate to regard the entire Group fall as the result of a single aiming operation, and to record for.each such fall a single range error, deflection error, and radial error: these three measurements being designed, then, to give
in a nut-shell the story of how well the pattern in question was aimed, quite aside from what kind of pattern the bombs formed. In a large number and
of cases the pattern was, in fact, placed as a result of one sighting; even when.this was not the case, the concept still seemed to be sound.
The reference point in the pattern, to which errors with respect to the aiming point should be measured, was at first chosen as the M.P.I. (Mean Point of Impact) of the pattern. After some trial this proved un-
satisfactory, since two or three stray sticks of bombs may fall well outside the main body of the pattern, the periphery of the main fall and hence pull the M.P.I. out to
Measuring the
error
.cd
.misleadn ynt
Frther trials
led to the adoption of the center of that circle with 1000 foot radius which encloses the maximum number of bombs in ferred to as "Pattern Center") The errors of each pattern, Pattern Center. the fall (hereinafter re-
a circle of this size appeared to bear a sensible relation to actual and optimum pattern size, and also, which is just as important, to the size
that, all other things being equal, a count of the number of bombs falling within 1000 feet of the aiming point is in fair relation to the objective sought to be accomplished. Center, as above defined, Thus an aiming operation which places the Pattern exactly on the aiming point may fairly be regarded
as a perfect aiming of the pattern involved. The following analysis of the aiming errors of group bomb patterns covers the period 1 January 1913 through
15
October 1943.
In this
period there were 615 separate visual daylight group attacks on Continental Europe by VIII Bomber Command. The bombfalls of 398 of these attacks have Of these 398, 113 have
been rejected from this analysis because .no -ohdreht compact pattern was formed, or because they represent attacks on targets of opportunity or some other reason made error measurement inappropriate. The pattern
centers of the remaining 285 have then been plotted about one common aiming point (A.P.), the result: with a common direction of run. Figure l shows
the A.P. for all falls is the center of the small circle,
and all runs have been adjusted so as to be towards the top of the page. (Actually only 26 pattern centers appear on the diagram, the remaining
20 being errors so large that they were off the page with the scale as used.) These 285 aiming operations have now been analyzed as follows: A histogram of the radial errors was made using 200-foot class intervals. (Figure 2.) The distribution shows a conspicuous peak cor-
responding to a radial distance from the A. P. of roughly 800 feet. * This and all other "Figures" ref~ found at the end of Part I.
t
in
this Part"will be
r,
which would be displayed by a circular normal distribution, with the following striking difference: a true circular normal distribution of
errors, whose histogram showed a peak at about'800 feet (indicating standard errors of the same magnitude for each of the component error distributions), would fall more than 99% within 3000 feet of the aiming point. The actual distribution, however, shows a much larger residue outabout 33%.
In our'opinion this fact furnishes a first rough classification of errors into two kinds, namely, "normal" and "gross" errors. tribution of errors found is exactly the kind of thing The dis-
vhich
would arise
from (i) a set of aiming operations all performed under substantially the same conditions, and (ii) an additional set of aiming operations, subject to disturbing influences not present in the former set. The former would
account for the inner normal distribution, representing "normal" errors, the latter for the outer set, representing "gross" errors. Pursuing this hypothesis, the gross errors (80 aimings with radial errors at least 3000 feet) were next rejected, separate histograms drawn for range and deflection for the 205 aimings retained, and normal distribution curves fitted to them (Figures 3 and 4). The fit is satis-
factory; the resulting theoretical distributions correspond to average range errors of 760 feet, average deflection errors of 730 feet. distribution obtained is thus essentially circular. The
distribution corresponding to two perpendicular linear normal distributions with average errors = 715 feet gives rise to the theoretical radial histogram curve which is shown drawn on Figure 2 for comparison with the actual radial distribution found in practice. The average value of the radial
errors in normal aimings is approximately 1210 feet. Combat crew reports provide ample evidence that there is a substantial number of misses in bombing which have nothing whatever to do with the inherent capacity of the bombsight as an instrument or with the
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through a second formation; bad visibility may make bombing a mere guess; the formation may be under attack; and the target may be incorrectly identified. This list is by no means exhaustive. It seems clear that there
are in fact present disturbing influences which we should expect to give rise to errors vhich are in general larger and more capriciously distributed than those errors obtained during runs when these influences are absent. No such separation of gross from.normalaiming errors can pos-
sibly be exact, and an inspection of Figure 2 suggests that the rise of the histogram over the curve in the range 2000--3000 may be due to the inclusion of errors which are more nearlyof the second kind among the normal aimings. Despite this reservation, the approximate separation
seems so clear that in the following text we. adopt a conventional definition: normal aimings are taken to be those in which the pattern center all other
is less than or equal to 3000 feet from the aiming point: aimings constitute gross errors.
There is an aspect of group leader pattern bombing which tends to make the normal aiming errors of patterns so aimed slightly larger than would otherwise be the case. This aspect is the non-constant position
of the bombs from the lead ship in relation to the bomb pattern as a whole. What the lead bombardier actually aims is the first bomb to leave his bombbay. If this first bomb always bursts at the effective pattern center,
then of course the lead bombardier would only need to set his cross hairs on the point in the target area which has been pre-selected as optimum for this purpose. In practice, however, the first of the leader's bombs Tests have been carried out, both in
practice missions and in combat, in an effort to collect all possible evidence on this point. Preliminary conclusions are (a) that the position
of the leader's bombs with relation to the pattern as a whole varies considerably, thus constituting a source of error in aiming the pattern; and (b) that the average of examples examined so far indicate that the lead bombardier's sighting should proba1ye:short by an amount not
iv;
.ii
memorandum is devoted to a discussion of the characteristics of the bombing patterns obtained. A discussion of the different methods used by a formation of aircraft to lay down a pattern of bombs over a.target will be found in a later section of this memorandum. For the present it is sufficient to A Group formation, known as a
"combat box", which typically consists of between 16 and 21 aircraft, passes over the target. formation in its track. The lead aircraft in the box guides the whole The instant at which each aircraft releases its A
typical procedure is for the lead bombardier to sight for range as well as deflection and to drop his bombs on his own sighting, and for the other bombardiers in the box to release their bombs the instant they see the leader's bombs leave the bay. Usually, then, all the bombs carried by
the entire formation leave their shackles within a few seconds of each other, although early or late drops, hung bombs, etc., quently, The usual practice is for all ships in the formation to carry the same bomb load. The most common loadings have been 10 or 12 x 500A ship's load will be occur not infre-
dropped in train, by intervalometer or manually, producing a "stick" of bursts along track. From typical altitudes (20,000 to 25,000 feet) the
sticks from ea~ch plane depart widely from the theoretical rectilinear equispaced configuration, and sticks from different ships are usually intermingled in quite haphazard fashion. The resulting aggregate of
bomb bursts on the ground takes the form of a very irregular cluster or
Part II, Section 2A, "Effect of Different Techniques of Releasing Bombs whe trmation" (p. 18).
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Between two and three hundred of such Group patterns have been isolated and plotted on a scale of 1 to 25,000. measurements and counts e now describe the
charactcrize them as accurately as possible. The first is how large is it? question which should be answered about a bomb pattern As one way of measuring the density or compactness of
such patterns, we have recorded their length along track and width across track (excluding a small number of patterns which fail to form any coherent cluster at all). The profpE of measuring presents a difficulty
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is as folious:
The,
results
of
The average for the whole Command for the period 1 January 19L43 to 15 October 1l1_0 is 3700 feet long and 2500 fect wide. bombs, Per 500 or 1000 pound
fall 2000 x 2000 is about the lower limit of our experience. 100 lbs., or fragment^.tion bombs) tend to give
patterns which are longer along track--in mentation bombs, by perhaps 5' ,. s: co.ra atrn
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bombs which fall within this circle of greatest density VIII Bomber Command's experience has been
% of
For the sake of completeness, this same percentage will also be found recorded in Appendix II for a.circle drawn around the same center with a 2000-foot radius. For this radius the average of our experience
has been that such a circle will contain 81% of the identified bombs. C. Assessment of Accuracy of Group Attacks by Counts Around Aiming Points After a period of trial and error, consultation with staff and Group commanding officers, and accumulation of experience with the character of our bombing patterns and targets, the decision was made that a simple, reliable, and revealing index to accuracy of bombing would be provided by recording, for each Group attack on a target, the percent of all the identified bombs which were found within 1000 feet of the preassigned aiming point. As supplementary data, like counts have been re-
corded for a 2000-foot radius. It should be emphasized that the essential characteristics of formation bombing are such as to make inapplicable any appraisal of accuracy which is based upon a count of hits on particular structures in a target area. Bombing with combat-box patterns means that individual bombs If a d.ircle be drawn
circumscribing the target complex, our efforts are really directed bo placing a compact pattern of bombs in such a position that as many as possible come within this circle, depending upon chance and a high density to provide the hits on key structures. Thus, a method of attack which
yields a high percentage of bombs in this circle must be adjudged a good one, even though we may have been "unlucky" enough to miss the vital pinpoints on this particular attack. Again, the size of the circle to be taken is difficult to decide on merely theoretical grounds. Different size targets suggest different
radii, but it is clearly essential to have a standard for comparison purposes. The choice of 1000 feet O feet as radii was made simply
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these would give rise to an intelligible set of figures, .sensitive to changes in accuracy, and because a good man :of our industrial targets ' are. comparable in size to the smaller circle. One other point should be mentioned in this connection, concerning the reliability of this measurement: A count of bursts on strike It
is our belief that for the vast majority of falls the bombs that are not found are distributed in essentially the same manner as the ones that are; so that if, of all bomb bursts identified, 10% are within the 1000-
foot circle, we may assume the same distribution for all of the bombs dropped. Correctness of this assumption has been tested in the following manner: In a number of missions, clear areas were located which were uncratered by previous operations and free of structures (e.g., airfields). Let A designate such an area. Suppose that the strike photox, y, and
graphs show that the identified bomb patterns from formations z A. overlap If A, with proportional parts of p, q and r z
by f, g, and
h, then the assumption set forth above means that our best
estimate of the total number of bombs dropped within Ais given by pf + qg + rh. The character of the terrain being selected for the purpose,
we have available a means of checking this estimate (and hence our basic assumption) simply by counting the number of bomb craters within area on post-raid reconnaissance photographs. A
application of this test was 15%, -with most -cases considerably -lower. In the period 1 January 19h3 to 15 October 19L.3, the percent of the total identified group fall hich was plotted within 1000 feet of the Appendix
-TH,
aiming point has been recorded for each group attack in column
under column
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PART II
Sp
1.
Review of Operations as a Whole. In Part I of this memorandum we have described the methods of
measurement employed with respect to individual Group formation patterns. In making cumulative comparisons, however, the additional problem arises as to the selection and classification of the data. This involves bear-
ing carefully in mind the objective of the particular comparison sought. Thus, if the objective is to compare the intrinsic performance during one time period with another from an accuracy point of view, significant differences may be completely masked by differences in weather conditions or by the purely fortuitous circumstances of better photographic coverage during one period than the other, if no discrimination is used in the selection of the data. In.general, we have adopted three classifications of the data insofar as direct counts about the aiming point-are concerned: Missions; Points; (1) All
(2) Successful Missions on Targets with Pre-Assigned Aiming and (3) Successful Group-Attacks on Targets with Pre-Assigned
Aiming Points. All Missions: Here we express as a percent, of all bombs dropped
over enemy territory, those known to have fallen within 1000 and 2000 feet, respectively, of pre-assigned aiming points. It is obvious that this
classification results in.a very conservative appraisal of bombing accuracy. Successful Missions on Targets with Pre-Assigned Aiming. Points: By "successful mission" we mean any mission in which one or more of the participating Group formations in a task force (i.e., a force, regardless of size, designated to attack a specified target at or about the same time) succeeds in placing some bombs within 1000 feet of a pre-assigned aiming point. place Conversely, where no Group formation of an attacking force s of the aiming point, it is classified
~-ih-
as a "mission failure" and all data from such attaking. Groups are excluded from this second classification. Our purpose in setting up this
classification is to isolate and reject those instances in which some overriding situation, affecting all components equally, made normal bombing of a pre-assigned target virtually impossible. This includes
such factors as weather, smoke screens, and faulty navigation, The particular line of demarcation employed was adopted only after investigation of a reasonable number of cases disclosed that some such factor was present in almost all instances where no Group succeeded in placing any bombs within 1000 feet of a pre-assigned aiming point. Hence, it is evident that a table showing the average performance of the Command or any unit thereof on days where no such factor was present is more revealing as to intrinsic "bombing ability" than one in which all operations are lumped together. By the same token, attacks on targets without pre-assigned aiming points (all targets of opportunity and a relatively small number of assigned secondary or last resort targets) must be excluded for this purpose. Due to the absence of a pre-determined reference point, there
is no completely objective standard for measuring performance. The classification thus set up is designed to answer the question "What measure of accuracy is achieved by our force, or any component thereof, against pre-assigned targets when conditions are such as to make reasonably accurate bombing possible?" Successful Group-Attacks on Targets with Pre-Assigned Aiming Points: In a preceding section (p.7)we have defined and discussed It should be fairly evident that for certain purposes,
"gross error."
particularly in isolating causes and developing plans for improvement, it is also of interest to know the rate of performance achieved when neither the overriding influences which affect an entire force nor the disturbing influences which affect particular formations and interfere. with normal aiming operations are present. flect by isolating those cases in This we have sought to re-
operating..
counts have been made about a single point and in no case have such counts been made about any point other than a pre-assigned aiming point. With the foregoing considerations in mind, we set forth below a general review of the experience of the B-17 units of this Command on daylight attacks on European targets. (This review is limited to the theoperations of the B-2L
units, since these studies were started, has made any genuine appraisal of the latter impossible.) From a time point of view, the experience of this Command falls into four reasonably distinct periods: 1943; 1943; (2) (1) 17 August 1942 to 1 January (3) 15 May 1943 to 1 August
and (4)
adaptation of our bombing technique to unusually severe conditions of defense and weather; the second was one in which a relatively small force
(L groups) reached a reasonably high degree of efficiency in the employment of techniques which had evolved from the earlier period; the third
was one in which a large number of new Groups and combat inexperienced personnel joined the Command and in which techniques were being found and perfected for the most efficient use of large attacking forces; the
fourth and last period has been one in which new policies in the use of the overall force have been in effect and the techniques of group bombing have been in process of refinement. As to the first period, 17 August 1942 to 1 January 1943, resuits cannot be expressed with the same degree of assurance as for the remaining periods. The methods of analysis heretofore described had
not yet been developed and estimates must of necessity be based upon
-163-
composite results of the entire attacking force (in. contrast to the Group components), as shown by photographic covrge taken following the operations. As to the remaining three periods, however, the basis the same methods of anal-
ysis have been employed and the same measurements applied. The results for these periods, broken down into the three classifications referred to above are as follows:
(1)
All Missions
% of HE
Aug.
Jan. May Aug.
17, 1942 - Jan. 1, 1, 1943 - May 15, I 5 1943 - Aug,. 1, 1, 1943 - Oct. 15,
11.3
6.3
24.6
17.6
28.7
130O
(2)
Jan. 1,
12143
Jan. 1, 1943 - May l, 1943 May 15,. 1943 - Aug. 1, 1943 Aug. 1, 19143 - 0ct.l5, 1943
(3)
16.7
l 5016" 36.4
29.6
10.6
21.9
48.5
76 114 135
Successful Group-Attacks on Targets with Pre-Assigned Aiming Points 19142 1943 1943 1943 - Jan. 1, - May 15, -. Aug. 1, -,0ct.l1, 1943 19143
-
1943
1943
27.0 18.3
59,0
51.0
63.5
28.7
47 ;66 103
The striking thing, of course, is that in the latter period, despite the problems which size of force alone'impose, 16 groups have been brought to a level of efficiency somewhat above that attained after six months' experience by a much smaller force,
* These figures are estimates based upon certain selected missions for
'which post-operation photographic coverage was sufficient to make reasonably accurate judgments. Corresponding figures cannot be given for the remaining two classifications because (1) the coverage was not sufficient to give a judgment on all missions and (2) in the absence of Group breakddwns, segregation 6f gross errors was impossible.
p--m-
2.
Certain Specific Relationships Which Have Been Shown to Affect Bombing Results in This Theater Bearing in mind that, from the point of view of an operating
theater, probably the most important objective of studies of this nature is as a guide to improvement in results, we have deemed it a matter of interest to set forth some of the specific relationships which have clearly emerged from the analyses heretofore described. be discussed under three headings: (A) These will
Sizes on the Percent of Bombs Placed Within 1000 Ft. of the Aiming Point, and (C) Relationship between Size of the Overall Attacking
Force and Bombing Efficiency. A. Effect of Different Techniques of Releasing Bombs When Attacking in Formation When, for defensive reasons, it is found necessary to attack a target by formation of planes rather than by individual aircraft, the question immediately arises as how to determine most effectively the time of release for the various aircraft in the formation. When air-
craft attack a target individually, it is obvious that the release of bombs from each aircraft must be-the result of independent aiming operations both as to range and deflection. On the other hand, where
several airplanes attack a target in formation, it is equally obvious that, except for the lead ship, no individual aircraft exercises control over its deflection course. As to time of release (range sighting), (1) all ships in the
formation may determine time of release by independent sighting operations; (2) all ships may release on signal from the lead ship which (3)" some combihation intermediate
between (1) and- (2)- may be adopted, such as all ships in,.each element or squadron dropping on signal from their respective leaders who in turn will have performed a range sighting operation. "Squadron leader"
dropping as used in this memorandum covers only cases where the squadron
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"squadron runs" which have been used only very infrequently -nthis~
Theater. Each of the three alternatives listed above has actually been employed numerous times in this Theater, and records have been kept of the resulting performances. The following table sets forth the comparative
performance, in terms of percentage of total weight of bombs dropped which fell within 1000 and 2000 feet respectively of the aiming point, under
January 1943 and 15 October 1943, forwhich positive information is available, have been included, except cases where there was no pre-assigned aiming point or wherd no participating Group formation dropped any bombs within 1000 feet of the aiming point. % of HE Bombs Dropped Which Fell Within 2000' of A.P. 1000' of A.P. 24.6 11.8 8.3 53.0 32.2 28.0 No. of Group Attacks 132 100 21
The relative effectiveness of the three methods seems to cut across all other known variables, such as the order of the Groups over target, the degree of opposition, and particular Group differences. For
instance, a comparison of the results under the several techniques where Group formations were 1st or 2nd over the target is as follows:*
% of HE Bombs Dropped
Technique of Sighting Group Leader 1000 Which Fell. Within 2000' of A.P. of A.P. 25.6 56.0
No.
of.
Group Attacks 71
17.5 12.0
41.0 31.6
45
10
Similarly, where individual Groups have tried more than one technique over a 'sufficient period of time, the same relationship appears. The
contrast between dropping on the Group Leader and each aircraft making individual range sightings is illustrated by the experience of the following two groups:
* The effect upon bombing efficiency of the order in which the several
F Group
306th
% of HE Bombs Which
Fell Within 2000' of. A. P. Range 32.6 39.0
Group
Leader 21.5 16.7
Independent
Range 1.9 8.0
Group
Leader l.0
Independent
100th
47.5
While the contrast between dropping on the Group Leader and dropping on
Squadron Leaders is illustrated by the experience of the following two groups:
Group 91st
%of HE Bombs Which Fell TJithin 10001 of A. P. Squadron Group Leader Leader
33.9
% of HE Bombs Which Fell Within 20001 of A.P. Squadron Group Leader. Leader
66. 67.0 30.5 32.4
94th
41.0
11..0 10.4
Thus, it appears fairly certain that, at least under the operating conditions which have prevailed in this Theater, there is a significant advantage to the technique of dropping on the Group leader when bombing from group formations. The question as to why this should be so is more difficult to answer with assurance. In searching for reasons probably one of the most
significant facts is that, except for the lead ship, aircraft flying in formation under combat conditions seldom provide a stable platform from which to perform a sighting operation. ship, Aircraft, other than the lead
while under attack and on bomb runs which of necessity must be of relatively short duration. Synchronization on a target becomes a virtually
hot
of course, that under combat conditions differences in skill between bombardiers become greatly magnified, such that a carefully selected lead.bombardier will consistently do a considerably better sighting job than the average of all the other bombardiers in the Group formation. But whatever the reasons, the evidence pointed to above would
indicate quite conclusively that,at least as long as attacks must be in formatiop under conditions approximating those that have prevailed in
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20
rests with the technique of releasing bombs on theGroup formation leader. B. Effect of Pattern Sizes on the Percent of Bombs Placed Within 1000 Feet of the A. P. We.have heretofore .discussed various techniques employed by Group formations in laying down a bomb pattern. We are here concerned with the
relationship between the size of the pattern and the percent of bombs placed within 1000 feet of the aiming point. Analysis shows that on the
average the smaller the pattern the greater the percentage of bombs within 1000 feet of the aiming point, at least where the radial error of the center of the bomb pattern is less than 1200 feet. Two different measures of the compactness of a bomb pattern have been employed. The dimensions of a rectangle (sides parallel to the track
of the formation across the target) which encloses the bomb fall have been recorded. For the same bombfall patterns, the.percent of the bombs lying
within a circle of 1000-foot radius which encloses the greatest number of bombs, was also determined. It is apparent that there will be a close connection between the dimensions of the pattern and the percent of bombs in the circle so placed as to circumscribe the greatest number of bombs. are associated with small percents and vice versa. Large dimensions
The relation of
pattern size with the percent of bombs in a circle of 1000-foot radius about the aiming point is not so immediately discernible. Small patterns
well aimed will give large percentages, and poorly aimed may give zero percent. Large patterns cannot give high percentages even if well aimed
but will tolerate greater aiming errors. To ascertain the relation as shown by the patterns made in operations against enemy targets, the patterns have been classified in a twoway scheme as follows: The patterns were first divided into five classes
based on their area as computed from the dimensions of the rectangle. Each of these five classes was then subdivided into six sections depending on the aiming error as measured by the radial distance from the aiming
L,
qyal L
percent of bombs in the 1000-foot circle about the aiming point for each of these categories is. given below: Average Percent of Bombs in l000Ft. Circle About the Aiming Point as Related to Area and Aiming Error Area of Pattern Radial Error hal0 800 100 in Feet of Center of Pattern 1601- 200112018012000 2900 1600 1200 32% 31% 23% 22% 21% 26% 20% 19% 12% 15% 15% 17% Ave. for All Errors
5 Million Sq. 70% Ft. or Less 5 to 72-Million Sq. Ft. 53%. 72 to 10 Mil43% lion Sq. Ft. 10 to 12 Mil39% lion Sq. Ft. Over l2 Mil35% lion Sq. Ft. Ave. All Areas 56a
58%
3%
7% 6% 10% 6% 7%
1% 2% 4% 7%
39%
"28%, 20% 20% 20% 27%
42%
37%
34%
31%
4%
3%
l%
The averages are based on from 17 to 3 instances, there being 183 patterns available for classification. given in detail in Appendix The individual figures are
HI.
The tabulation shows that, at all levels of aiming error up to 1200 feet. (which is the average aiming error), patterns of 122 million square feet or over were only half aseffective as patterns of 5 million square feet or less in area. The correlation between aiming error and That is, there is
no tendency of small aiming errors to be associated with s mall patterns. The proportion of gross errors is quite constant for all pattern sizes. For these reasons, attention is di.rectedto the column at the right which shows the average percent of bombs in the thousand foot circle about the aiming pcint for the five different area classes averaged over all aiming errors. I. is inescapable that any technique of dropping which would
reduce the pattern area to 5 million square feet or less Would raise the air force average of 27% for aimed patterns very considerably, possibly
t-22
V
a.
..
and percent of bombs within 1000 feet of the aiming point are shown below:
Average Aiming Error Average
Within 1000
Feet of.A.P.
2050
3550,
1270 Feet
23.8%
2350
h8o0'
1250 Feet
20.2%
57
Large Patterns
3200'
.
vantage, already pointed out, Qf Group leader dropping over the techniques of squadron leader dropping or independent range sightings.. The following
table makes it clear that longer patterns have resulted from squadron leader dropping and independent range sightings:
-2-,r
Average % of
' ' verage Pattern imensions (feet) Along Track Across Track Bornbfall 1000' of Pattern Center 58 50 4.6
iithin
Technique Group Leader Squadron Leader Independent Range 3200 4200 2500 2500 2600
4600
The average radial distance of the pattern centers from assigned aiming points for all categories is essentially the same, i.e., 1.200 and 1300 feet. between
percentage of bombs within 1000 feet of the aiming point is plotted against errors of the center of the pattern for group leader dropping cases as opposed to all other cases. It will be noted that for errors
up to at least 2500 feet, an advantage rests with the more compact patterns resulting from dropping on the Group leader, such advantage becoming increasingly greater as the errors become smaller. The present overall average dimensions of the pattern are approximately 2500 feet across track and 3500 feet along track. Both these
dimensions, particularly the length, appear to exceed the dimensions occupied by the formation in the air. The increased length is in part
accounted for by the length of the train of bombs dropped by each aircraft. To offset this, efforts have been made to use minimum inter-
valometer settings and to emphasize the advantage of a tight formation. However, perhaps the single most important factor in accounting for the increased length is the lack of simultaneity of bomb release by the various aircraft in the Group formation. For example, since one squadron
flies above the lead ship, there is inevitably some delay occasioned by using the appearance of the bombs from the lead ship as a release signal. There appears to be some difficulty in finding a satisfactory visual signal, especially since the bombardiers may be otherwise engaged at the time. The idea of a radio activated release relay has been suggested
but such adevice has not yet been used operationally. The evidence which is now available to show the degree of improvement which could be attainedd6 T the bombing pattern is
y 4
iA!tuJ
a strong inducement for exploring every possible method to achieve this result. C. Relationship of Size of the Overall Attacking Force on Bombing Efficiency. In addition to the problem of obtaining the maximum effectiveness from individual Group formations there is the problem of obtaining the maximum effectiveness from an overall attacking force where such force is composed of several Group formations. Of course, if it were
true that the performance of individual Group formations were independent of the size of the overall attacking force, identical.. the two problems would be
did not exist, at least under the methods of attack then being employed. Again, without in the first instance attempting to give reasons, the experience of this Command for the first seven months of this year
has demonstrated conclusively that the practice of sending several Group formations over a target in trail and in close succession results in a rapid decline in the bombing efficiency of successive Groups.. This is
quickly seen by reference to the following table where the average performance of formations in various positions over the target from 1 January 1943 to 1 August 1943 are set forth for comparison. (As in
other tables, all instances have been included, except cases where there was no pre-assigned aiming point or where no participating Group formation dropped any bombs within 1000 feet of the aiming point.)
% of HE Bombs Dropped
Order Over Target 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th and Over Overall Average Which Fell Within 1000' of A. P. 2000' of A.P. 23.14 16.3 9.9 7.8 4.2 13.4 9.9 37.1. 32.0 20.1 19.8 33.2
43
36 33 32 192
Throughout the entire period represented by the above table, a policy of rotation of Groups in the respective positions was followed; Thus,
p11
the relationship is independent of Group differences. The si:nificance of the steady decline in performance as the position in efficiency of Group
the overall attacking force becomes apparent. The net effect must be that
the overall efficiency of an attacking force must be considerably below that of its period in component Groups when in the lead position. question, Thus, during the of their
while the overall average of the Command was only 13..h%. Furthermore, the phenomenon in question must also mean that the larger the attacking forces employed, the lower will be the overall efficiency of our operations. This is illustrated by a comparison of the
average performance of attacking forces where h or less Group formations participated and where more than L participated during this same period. This comparison is as follows:
In this connection, it should also be pointed out that there is no evidence that would indicate that the preceding Group formations are better because there are other Groups behind them. If this were
so, the performance of the first two Group formations should vary with the total size of force. That this is not the case is shown by the
following table where the average performance of the first two Groups in the attacking force is listed according to the total number of formations in the attacking force. (For the purpose of this table, our employed.)
Percent of HE Bombs Dropped by First Two Group Formations Over the Target which Fell within 1000 Feet of AP Related to Number of Groups Attacking
% in
1000' 2 Group Force 3 Group Force L Group Force 5 or More Group Force 19 19 22. 19
% in 2000' 50 6 L6
No. of Instances 10 10 13 23 23
~-
Thus, it
leading Group formations is independent of the number of Groups behind them. This being true, it is quite apparent that one way to increase
the overall efficiency of the Command would be to split the available force into as many independent attacking forces as possible, thereby increasing the proportion of lsts and 2nds. .This would be true what-
ever may be the reasons for a decline in efficiency in larger attacking forces. Bearing in mind, however, that defensive considerations may
well dictate a minimum size force and that strategical considerations may frequently require an attack upon a single target at approximately the same time by relatively .large forces, it is of the utmost importance to try to isolate the causes for the lowered efficiency of succeeding Groups. In this connection, it is important to note that by far the major factor in the decline of succeeding formations is the increasing proportion of bad misses or gross errors; i.e., where the pattern center misses by over 3000 feet. The following table shows for each position
the percentage of gross errors between 1 January 1943 and 1 August 1943. (Again excluding attacks where no Group formation placed any bombs within 1000 feet of the aiming point and attacks on targets without pre-assigned aiming points.) % of Total Attacks Which Were Gross Errors 10% 37% 39% 58% 72%
On the other hand, while there is some indication of an enhancement of the aiming error in positions beyond second place where normal aimings have been made, it is much less significant the effect of gross errors. than
tive performance during the same period (January 1 - August 1) where gross errors are excluded.
..... _K1
n Positio
'
A ?._
101fA..
__
__
__
__
No.of
Instances
Position
18t
26. 2
55.5
43
28 22
2nd 3rd.
25sO 16.4
18.3
57.0
4th
5th and Over
Thus, it
51
5.0
50.0
at least in large part, for the phenomenon here in question: increasing likelihood of mistake, confusion,
(1)
The
a Group
forma-
tion may be, resulting from the fact that its actions are inevitably
in-
fl.uenced
and (2) the increasing difficulty of target identification resulting from obscuration of the target and surrounding terrain by the bombfalls of preceding Groups. So far as (1) is concerned, assuming'it. is desirable for other reason: to put several Group formations on
the same time, the first correction that suggests itself is sufficient spacing over the target between attacking units to give greater freedom of action and eliminate the danger of interference, point of view, however, From a defensive
this is probably not feasible at present for It has actually been tried,
group formations. Since approximately 1 August, the policy has been ' fairly consistently followed of spacing combat wings over the target by intervals of 1 to
5
minutes.
achieved under this system with the previous policy of sending Group formations over in trail and in close succession,. This comparison is reflected in the following table where the experience for the period
ry -g~to~l h-28
uut
~ J~htor 8 COn~t~ras~
th e p er-iod 1 August
% of HE Bombs Which Fell Within 1000' of A.P. Jan. 1 Aug. 1 Aug. 1 - Oct. 15 23.4 26.5
% of Improvement 13%
2nd
3rd hth 5th and Over Overall Average
16.3
9.9 7.8
19.8
22.2 20.119.8 21.9
21%
12h% 158% 370% 63%
h.2
13.1
The striking thing, of course, is that while there has been some improvement in Group performance in Ist and 2nd position, the performance in succeeding positions has improved to a much greater extent. Bearing in mind that Groups and combat wings have been consistently rotated so far as position is' concerned, the inference is reasonably compelling that the major portion of the improvement in succeeding positions is in large measure due to the tactic in question rather than an intrinsic improvement in individual Group performances. It is likewise of significance to point out that a major factor in the improvement has been the reduction of gross errors. Thus, whereas
from 1 January to 1 August, hOt of all group attacks were gross errors, from 1 August tol5 October only 24% of such attacks were gross errors. On the other hand, after eliminating gross errors for both periods, only a 28% improvement over the earlier period appears as against a 63% improvement if gross errors are not excluded. The average percentage of
bombs which fell within 10001 of the aiming point on this basis during the earlier period was 22.h% as against 28.6% in the later period. Thus, it appears to be a reasonable inference that the practice of spacing combat wings over the target has had the effect of cutting down the incidence. of gross errors and thereby increasing the overall bombing efficiency of a total attacking force. Two observations remain to be made: (1) While the practice of spacing combat wings over the target
has gone a long way to eliminate the differential between the early and late Group formations, there still remains a substantial
'
IC
PR1
n &ge
The dif-
ficulties that remain are probably largely associated with the problem of target obscuration by early bombfalls. where strategically and defensively feasible This means, of course, that
pected by (a) attacking several targets at once or (b) by increasing the spacing to intervals which are sufficient to allow the target to clear. (2) The differential between Groups. within a combat wing still
persists as illustrated by the relationship.between the performance of the lst and 2nd Groups. it Assuming that defensive considerations make
impossible to increase the spacing between the groups within a combat remains to be solved. Conclusion With the type of bombing which has been developed in this
Theater,
there
are
three principal ways in which results may be improved: (2) by reducing the
(1) by reducing the proportion of gross errors; aiming errors 6f formation patterns; due to the formation pattern.
As to (1), great strides have already been made by recent developments in tactics. However, there still remain 2L of our group
objective which does not seem unreasonable -- would increase the overall effectiveness of our bombing by'at least 20%, even without any further improvement in individual group efforts. There are at least two causes
of gross errors in visual bombing which it seems can be still further minimized in order to approach this result: target or surrounding 'terrain; (a) misidentification of
of patterns
-.
little
among Groups in this regard, indicating the possibility of overall improvement, the average for the entire force has tended to remain fairly
1 4
-30-
"
jk,2t
constant. le "Phy;m
nz
pffc
can be looked. for in this respect is more careful selection and training of lead combat teams. As to (3) -- reduction in the dispersion within a Group formation pattern -- great improvement still seems possible. Indeed,
it is in this respect that there is reason to hope for a striking advance in effectiveness. Every device at our disposal should be employed There is every
reason to believe that any success in this direction will immediately reflect in substantial improvement in results.
Prepared by: Dr. 1W. J. Youden, Dr. J. A. Clarkson, Major P C. Scott, OR.S. Consultants. Approved for release by: John M. Harlan, A.C. Lt. Col. Section Chief, O.R.S.
-.31
ni- t~~Si s
jl-:
~-
c -.
vi
:
LJEGxEN
(1) Targeta
(2)
Date of attacko
(3)
(4)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
Percent of identified bombs which fell within 2000 feet of the pre-assigneed aiming point. Percent of identified bombs which fell within 1000 feet of the "Pattern Centers " Percent of identified bombs which fell within 2000 feet of the "Pattern Center."
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15) (16) (17)
hundreds of feet..
Length of pattern along track, expressed in hundreds of fet, Width of pattern across track, expressed in hundreds of feet. Technique of sighting employed: L; S
Al
SR: I:
ships dropped on signal from the formation leader. .Ul ships in each squadron dropped on signal from their respective squadron leaders, who in turn had made independent range sighting operations, (Included in this classification are all cases where some ship or ships other than the lead ship made independent range sightings, provided the number of such ships was less than 50 of the total in the formation.) Each squadron made an independent run on target with all ships in squadron formation dropping on signal from the squadron leader. Mere than 50o of the ships in the formation made independent range sightings.
(18)
Classification of attacks: A: B: C: D: Cases wrhere the radial error of the "Pattern Center" was less than 3000 feoto Cases where for some reason, such as smoke or cloud cover, the degree of success of the attack could not be measured. Cases of attacks on targets of opportunity. Cases of "Mission Failures," i.e., where an effort was made to bomb an assigned target but no participating formation placed ny bombs within 1000 fee;t of the pr-assined aiming point.
E:
Cases of "Gross 'Errors," i.e., wshere the radial error of the "attern Cener" w~s 300 feet or more, even tehurh 0ome othecr partciating fomation plced some bomnbs ithin 1,000 feeti of the pr~-s signed aming pont~i.a _
Operational Research Section Hq,. VIII Bomber Command. B-17 Groups Total Nuber of Group AQSuccessful B, 91 92 303
15 October.
305
306
59 21
351
379
381
28
384Com.1st 26
26
B J..94
31
9
33 11
96
100
385 16
388
390
15
Cor
3.rd
. BD.
205 85
21
VIII
B.C.
Attacks
58
21 2
12 11
28
61
58 31
4
10 8
37 9 2
10 6
29 12 2 9
1
410
37 15 3
25 11
1
23
11
25
615 233
Attacks
8 1
10
20
2
13
10 2
8 2
7 3 4
0
148
21
12 3 8 5 3 11 23 29
7
2
8
1
10
3 8
0
3
10 10. 15
0
9
5
8 5 4
3 6
1
42
151
95 55 91
9
4
8
1
6
1
3
1 2
56
4 5 8
18
10 16
12 9
16
25
5 14. 22
25
10
7 9
15
4 9
17
12 5
7 18 12 16 43
6 9
15
21
4
2511.6
Total
imb i
Attacks
8
13
7
12
21
6
12
25
10 17
25
8.7
15.0
2l- 2
8,
13 17
24.
13
31
31
12
22 26
20 30 37
14
25 35
S 3 i'3 a
Attacks Listed.
19
26
rTaE
29
17
2419
27 20 36 63
23 21 40 55
Tot
T
22 38
60
32
52
60
17
15 29 62
21
20.x. 2 35.0
56o 6
23
48
60
2.
2443
60
33
76 76 500
800
29
52
61 850 660
1270
40
61 76 630
390
770
25
45 63 640
480
900
Y~i
attacks Listed.
. A ane.
38
61
32
58
29
49
37
52
45
62 910 710
40
~ 1ttacks
Average I
Listed3
55
800 670
i ific tion
&e .
c l1020
nu er
670
670
1070
860
Errcor
Feet
;~of
Bo
i n SLrcle
'10001-l
2000
f.1tL'Jj25
are
11480 53 77 42 33
56 80
25
835 800 1070 810 725 600 850 1030 7T-0 750 780 610 1120 860 850 960 795 1280 1230 1270 1360 1090 1450 1190 1270 1700 51 53 62 63 57 47 56 47 80 76 79 89 91 84 71 86 73 40 44 34 33 44 4+0 38 42 36 25 26 21 23 23 25 28 27 27
84.0
500
850
1110
530
810
5~6
84 31 25
675
685 1110
775
755
1210
1360
55 5
85
1080 1190
1040
68
93 28 22
43
83 2y.
50 75
42 25
60
92 33 25
67
98 24 23
56
83 31 26
57
55
39
26
37
25
Error mneasuremen'ts
for
Class A
only.
The
(2
3. 13. 23. 27r 16.
2J.
(3)
1 3 41 -I
(4-)
(5)
(6)
10
(7)
220 24.0 234-. 235 255 230 250 21205
225
(8) 32 30
(9) 62
(10)
52
(II)
(12)
(13)
(4)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
St~ Xazaire
Lorien~t v~i11?e!:shaven Brest venes . may, buen
27.
4-0
R>'Iouen
12 10 9 1416 13 2 3 16 15 2 1 15 13 2 3 12 1 13 4- 18 3 16 18 2 L:15
LL
1000 ?.E
T500 L'
5 5 5 5
500
4-5
26 s 2S
16 R
8L
31-
4-5
30
1000
1000
'iH~
1i'
iE
10
39
59
78 0
41
3
1! S
50
35
20 0
4-9
50
72
88
5
5
1000
7S
535
o6- L 2L
26
35
7
Ii
35
35
4-5 3 20
D D
42
SR A
Can
Tom'
5
6
1000 E
5 5
6
73
61 08 50
4-8 63
55
57 55
33
79
82 97
P,.
7
1 L5
25 20 35 55
25 25
20 20
20
21
7T 14-L1
4-IR
6!
20
~orienit
t.
167
17. . 1314-, 15Q 17.
19.
1 1 1
16
100 0
1000 EB 1000
6 6
85 61 L 231
2L
48
SR
SR
A
A
L5
13
28 4- 2
6429 100
89
BE
5 5
5
10
JIc z sie
424
15
J-8 16
4-
17
92-
1CR
73
100
2 .6
3-
4-0
25
30 35
25
SR
A
A
A Ai
53
31:
70 32 S 60. 4-6 81j. 58 53 75 13 S
511L
18
215
270 252 225 32
0 C.
35 L 12 R
5R
(2MIdles)
S
,S11m'
3230
30'
54 35
L5
s
D
1
2
17
16 1 18
4-
21.
47
16
18 17
14-
10 10 2 10 10 10
73,
9 69 57
30
25
250
215 280 L 30 86R
15 s
273
244-
44-
251L
RP~earch Section ;aeration Hq. VIII Boib er CO rtemn. 15 October 1913 (1)
IST2
(. 15 17. 16
iJ}IJThTT -"NS
OF B9OK"LAJL
PAT.1 7.-2IV
_"JJ11
(Continsued)
TiTh
(1) (8)
f2
230.6 28. 6 4.7 14.7
(3
4. 1
(6)
10 2 10 24 16 10 10 10 10 16
(7)
20 262 245 1L,52 280 273 278 2.6 275 198 190 210 161
2_4
(s)
(9)
(lo)
(I)
(is
(1)
St.
Nazaire
25
7L
7L.
63s
8R
5RZ
.Amiens T/O
3
6
4
18
17.7
2. 7
100E 250 ,,
67 52 0 0
(Cloud.
28 RI
(~erya
Hamburg e 4asel ishing
14
17 11 12
9,00 r
500
Cover)
60
25.7
26. 7 29.7 4
500 ,E
I-
31 79
8
5R
6L.
69
40
40
500 Hz
500TH1 X00 i 300lF. 300TH: 1000 H 2000 E~ 500
52
79
Coherent
30.7 12. 8
15.8
2 6 5
1
17
10
19
(No
Pattern)
16. 8
19
12
67
U 0
17D .fcBourg
.
27. 8 31.8
4.
11
6.
tnien .lens r
9
9
7 9 5
6
3 11
18
500-"
12 12 10 38) 2) 12 12
and 351st Bo bfalls impossible) (Coverage Thsufficient to riot Complete Pattern) (Cove~rage Ji.suffici ent to m~ot Complete Patten)
(segregation of 91st
C D
A
A
0
B
0CUN
15. 9
16. 9
23. 9
60
C
37
30
20 SE
10 0HE.
14
15
0 69 98
50B3
Naneur
27. 9
2.10
5OI~
500
100
17
15
15
(Blind Bombing)J
(Blind.
82
Borthing )
5- L
0G
20
20
4+.10 8.10
11
15.
9.10
10.10 14.10
9
10
nBE 1B
40)
2}
4.2
12 3) 5) 42) 2) 10
100
25
20
1L
it
B
B.
A
HE
500 1
62
70
70
15 S
2R
15
L.
Bob
C
Oerational TRcsearch Section ?"ian& ' "ovi. r- V._..f_ 1. 15 October 191.
MiJSE?
, JTS
OF
BQ1rrCBWALL PAT
.S
92nd Croup
(4) 8 8 12 13 16 15, 5 7 (5) E 1000 E 250 TB 2000 500 BE HE 500 E 500 2000 E 500 E 500 HE
500
(2) 15 17.
(3)
(6) 10 16 2
(7) 260 253 260 238 250 266 255 257 262 282 2i 2 196 210 220 170 240 20 24.0 250
24-7
(8) 4
29
(9)
38
(12)
(13)
21
(z4)
(.19)
25
(16)
(17)
(18) C
76
47
100
4S
11
22 10
20 20
19.
29. 1325. 26. 28, 26, 12. 16. 17. 19. 24. 27. 31. 3.
St azaire Bremen
94
82
6L4
8 L
30
A
C
ry
10
Vii1acoub1E~y
St.
Nazaire
*'~Nantes Hanover
15
13 11 12 17 21 17 17 15 18
10L
~V~Kiel
Ruhr FlushJng .~
500 HE
300 T-E 500 E 300 500
iT
10 10 2 10 10 10 10 10
6
0 0. 0
C
E
2 0 0 0)
'100
71
42
88
13
65
22 R R s IC-10
26
101
30
453
80
25 30 30
,Ti
C 14 A
Le Bourget
Sch weinfurt
Filushing <3 V;11acoubJ ay
16
10 12 12 12 38 . 144
-L
76 0 47
0
78' 52
50
100 76 84
I s
iO
1s
0. 84 0
4514
ZR
2R
47
40
20
(i CoherenbtSPattern) o
SL J
200
.LB.
VNantes
13 18 15
20 Frage.
11
22
38
70
2-1L
13 R
25
60
25
16
19
4v) 2)
225 2414
24+0
(
15
~i. 1
Boming)
40)
2). 40 12.
17 18
21
F FE
(Blind Bombing)
45
28
61
TB
16 13
FE 500 F
1000 F
1+L 501L
5L 65 R
15
50
45
L4
85
L4 L4
53
80
( Impossible
to
Segregate
Falls
Operational Research Aection Hq. Viii Som~ber Coimiai d 15 October 19L.3 (1) St. Nazaire Lille Lorient G Tilheln shavenl Tmden St. Nazaire Wilhelmshaven Brest Rotterdam :Lorient (2) 3.1i 13. 1i 23. 1 27, 1 16. 2
27.
PyTI&RlS
(3) (4+)
1 2 2 10 18 14
(5)
1000 12 1000 12 500 Iii
1000
(6)
5 5
5
(7)
205 235 23 0 250 220 255 240 225 210 210 210 24F0 220 240 272 225 240 235 245 260 255 230 230 245 205 230 251 260 245 240 247 270 20
(8)0
(9)
(ic)
(Ui)
(12)
(13)
(14.)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
(Inadequate
Photogr~aphic
Coverage)
3 1. 4
2
H12
6
13 12
41.3
3
1
15
16 17 12
12
El, Rennes
-Rouen omnens ~-Vege sack Rouen $' Rotterdar Renault .. tvz.erp n Lorient
SBremen
4
2
3
3
4.
2 1
5
3 3 3
19 20
4.
2 1 2
15
17 17 20
500E2 500 BE 500 12 1000 12 1000 12 1 000 12 500 12 500 12 1000 12 1000 12 1000 12
500 1000
10 10 10
0 33
(To
Coherent
Pattern)
10 10
5 5 5
1 0 22 22
H12
1000 12
16. 4 17. 4
-3 St.' Nazaire Antwerp isletsulte Kiel, Heligolanid L~orient Kiel 'jilhlnshavcfl St. Nazaire W4ihemshaven Bremen Hiuls
1.
13a
3 3 5
2 1 2 2
17 16 21
10 15 21 18
BE
12 6 6
6 6 5
53 38 76
0 0
( Impossible to Segregate Bombflls of- 303rL ~nd 305th) SR (1'To Coherent Pattern) SR 20 50 9 6R 7S 57 SR 15 70 6 4R 4L 38 25
L2
{59
C7-
53
0 0 13 0 0 0 31 28 10 0
(No
79 7L Coherent pattern)
14R
4,2R
7
L42
30
25
I I I D "M
28
55
tS
39
0 0 0
7020
5
5 5 5 5
6 5 5
2
Pattern)
38 S
3L 3L 1L
37
54
19 R 7R 12 R 17 R
42
65
30
I
D
56
4
2 3
7 18
19
1000
500
500 2000
1000 500
5 2.5
7
1
18
19
16 17 15
500
10 10 1210 10 12 5 10 12 10 BE 2 12 12 5 10 H2 H.11 10
67 35 0
S 12 R 13 R 29 26
E D
97 100
175S 235S
33
69
59
82
85S
6R
10
35
30
Ay
Operational Researc~h Section Eq. VIII Bomber Cormian& 15 Octcober 194.3 (1) T/0 Beaumont Le Mans Abbeville Villacoublay Heroya Hamrburg (2) 2 .6 2 .. 6 4. 7 1c. 7 14. 7
MEASUBi'iTS OF BOIBffi
T~hL
(3)
2 6 3 1 9 .2
(z,,)
18 17 20
(5)
500 fl 300I1 500 HE loo 1 5001BE 500I
(6)
10 16 10 24 10 10 10
(7)
230 2.0 222 235
214-0
(8)
(9)
(10)
38
(1i)
78
34+
(12)
(13)
(14-)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
3
18
20
13 L 26 L (Inadequate Photographic
28
1OL
50 R
17 58 4.8 18 21
Coverage)
21 R 16 R 17 R
37
87
4COL
35
35
24,7
2 .7 26. 7
2 .7
153
5S
11S
L S
20
500I1
501 500 HE 250 lB 500 HE 250 IB
100Im
280)
271 230 275 244 217 24.0
195
S
.
Hamburg
T/0 T/1 F~Kas se1 SRuhr = jrens
15 4 3
1 11 1
10
10 16 10 16 24
25. 7
3C 7 12. 8
1r:.8
20 17 19
18
39
64
100
25 s
4. 2S
120 R
125
80 50
25
4.0
E L L
54.
16. 8
17.8 15 8 2 .8
20 16
10
300 H 250 1B
100
16
16 24 2 10
6R 1 L
7 5 10
A
. B B
C rs.
30
20
20 20
20
HE
215
190
19
1Romi11y
3.8 3, 9
9. 4
2
1 2
15 18 19
15
12
10 14l. 12 12 2) 12
29
58
100
59
58
59 100 79
78
5R
7R
IO
44
22
78
8L
9
i11
25
65
55
1E . 9
2.9
245 228
199 264 235
A 0C00
, A__
69
37
8L
20
500 HE
100 Th 1000 HM 500 1z
500H
27.9
6
5
12
(Blind. Bombing)
x.019
237
250
4.10
12
42
0 30
0 83
33 L
36 11
35 25
25
25 L
f.10 ~.1 1
1(). 0 1 ,10 9
20
18 20
100 IB
1000 HE
100 lB 100 lB
1000
Munster Schweinfurt
3) 5) 40)
2
72
100
8s
7L
A
G A
16
1000 JI 100 lB
_3. 5)
44
94
-W
56
91
2L
2R
25
20
-------
--
0perytcma
H~o
Research Sectlion
c:II .I
913
ysAL
,' 1;
305th
(2)
Group
(3) 3
1 1
(4.) 21
22
(5)
100012 500 115 500 112 1000 1
(6)
5
10
(7)
220
220 230 25 24 .0 230 215
24.0
(8)
(9)
(10)
4.8
(11
0 3S Co ?erent Pattern)
46) 8R
8R
(17)
(I8)
33
0 0 31
Lorient
23
W._'helmshaven
~iihelmshaven
Rotterar Lorient Rennes Rouen
i~anE
2-1.
18
4.
17
15
5
10
16c
3
1 2
2r/
40
17
12 14. 15 14. 17 17 17 18 16 18 15
(!To
SR
6.
La
3
1
ens
123
18, 2L-@ 2 31, 16 170 1.
3
2
1rege sack
Mi1helrnshaven Rotuen R~tt eriaanz
3
1
2 1 4.
1000 i-I 500 lE 500 .t 1000 ".115' 1000 1I 1000 H: 500 115 1000lI 1000 HE
5 5
10
74.
81 27
2_00 230
210
(Itiwjossible to Segregate Eombf ails of 305th and 303rd.) 7 1L 35 7S 79 62 5 4.0 4 3R 2 L 819 78 SS1 IR T (N10 Coherent Pattern)
r .
6
6
5
12 6
79,
97
1 L
Lt,
20
25
L
S
CA
60 29
5L
8R
3R
35
50
4-5
30
20
19 s
1000
uS
6
6
93
56 100 0
4.
3
18
19
4.
.Naaire
5
17
5 5
2 10 10 10 10 10
66
100
23S
4.
25 4.0 20
S
L
30 30 20 25
25
NOW"
1000
.i.US
3
1
16
20 17 14. 19 16 15 19 14.
15
500 500
HE1
TE
55
89
35
30 30 25 30 20
5
15
S L
L
L
..
11 en'
Wilhelmshaven
St.
Nazaire
5
1 4. 1
250 24.5
25.
73
0 0
5
9
60
95
8L
34
35
25
500 1HE
2000 115 500 HE 500 HE
4.5 31L 2
9v
100
8s 8S
11 R1
4.1R
14-
~.500 112E
500 1HE
259
19
10 10 10 10
36
35
53
10OL
17 L
21
4.0
30
A
C
n
0pzerat .:a_1 Research Section omber Command Bi Hq0 15 October 194"3 1V ~SUR J EI4TS OF BO IFx1LL PA.TTEPITS 305th Group (Continued)
(1)
St. Naza~ire Nantes Caen Villacoublay Heroya Hanover Kassel Kiel Ruhr Flushing Le ]Bourget Schweinfurt Flushing a1",lc.oablay 7,7tten
(2) 28. 6
(3)
1
(4-)
16 16
16 16
(5)
2000 HE
(6)
2 10 16 10 10 16 10 10 10 16 16 16 16 12 2 12 .2 10 12) 12) 10 12 4.0) 2) 6 12
(7)
255 24.5 24.0 230
(8)
(9)
(10)
(I1)
(12)
(13) 0 1R
(14.)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
7 1C# 7 14.~7
4Q 24.0 7
500HE
300 HE 500 HE
s. 9L
4. 3
6 1
4.7
96
18
114.
20
500 HE
250 TB
17h.
290 270 270 290 220 220 230 200 21:0 160 230 24.0 260 228
(nImpossible
25
30
L L
26. 7 28.. 7 29. 7 12.,8 15. 8 16, 8 17. 8 19. 8 2Z-0 8 27. 8
500 HE
500 H 500 H-E 300 B 30 HE X50 TB
35
70
30
1 3
18
16 16
25
35
20 20 L
9
9 5
18 20
20
4.5
86
18 7
1
17
16
13 R
14.
36 30 22
4.0
31. 8
} 9 E. 9
JC
17 16
2
2
11 17
18 16 16 2 16
0
20 25
26
33 L 30 67
80
13 L
2R 15 L
3uL
65
30 25
L L S
IE
HE
231
206 165
4+2
153
Pattern)
4.5
4.
2
500
HE
500 I
100 lB 1000 HE 100 lB 1000 HE 1000OHE 500 HE 1000 HE 500HBE
(TNo Coherent
3
7
13
17 17
32-
63
Photographic Coverage) 15 13 R 7 L
E
A 0C C
50
4.0
5
12
14.
232 264.
L L L
1V
Group
(1)
St. Nazal-re Lille Lorierit i lhelmshaven Emde~n St. Naizaire mshaven Brest Lorient Re rMne s Rouen ,'miens, Vege sack 1a ven fiihe
(2)
(3)
(L4.)
(6)
5
10 10
(7)
21 5 235 230 230 190 2320 235 230 220 220 210 230 230 24.0 24,.0 24.0 230 270 255 244
(8)
(9)
(10)
(Z1)
(12)
(13)
(4.)
(15)
(16)
(17)
SR
(18)
3.
1323. 270
4.,
.5
5 5
HE
500 HE
1000 HE 500 HE 1000 HE
1000
Wilheo
28
4.0
33
424
2S 3L
35
50
4.-0 30 4..0 4.0
20
t1
4.
1 1
10
16
19
6. 8.
12.
HE
HE
5 5
10
4.
2
15
19
500 HE 1000 HE
1 33
18 0 0 26 0 0 0 0 29 38 0 12 63
7S
8L
15
3R~
9L
20 20
t: J
1318.
22. 28,.
4.
1
20 20
19
1000
5
5
4.0 35
4.0
-_;
4.0
3
3 2 2
2
20 27 16
12 18 12 16 18 19
17o 13,
5 5
0
1000 HE
2000 500 1000 500 1000 250 500 2000 500 500 500 500 HE HE HE H HE lB HE
3
1
6 6 5 5 2
10
(Inadequate P'hotographic Coverage) 27 L . 29 S3 66 4.-2 6 2L 6s 60 t+3 (No Coherent Pattern) (No Coherent Pattern) (No Coherent Pattern)
(Inadequate
<"
Photographic Coverage)
IL
18 L
13,a
Bremen HlSt.i Kiel
15.
216
250 236
6
1 5
5
10
100 78
71
5L
5
11
25
S1111 23
4.5 25
25
35
20
20 I
A
. a :.
14$.
r
17
21
5
16 10
230
250 220
16 R
12.
13.
3
6
21.
141. 16 18 18
16
HE
HE
HE
2
10 10
252
259 275 24.3
83.
1Os
21 L
(2 Niles) 15 ilL 29 L
30
20
E A
HE
HE
10
10
36
20
.n
._rr.
C
Q
_' .4: 01
earth
Section
hM SI-HTS'
(6)
16 2 10 16 4.0 10
OF BUTiBFAILL P iT!RMNS
(2)
26.
(7)
230
(8) 17 30, 0
(9) 28
(10)
(U)
(12) 12 L
(13) 28 L
2 R
(14.) 30
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
St.
Nazaire
17
16
15
Nantes Caen Villacoublay Heroya Hanover Kas sel KiSel Rluhr Flushing Le Bourget Schweinfurt
4.
1C. 24. 2E. 2 . 25. 1'. 1 .
1E.
150
1 6
1
BE HE
265 235
233
55
0 100
3S
4
7
11 37
25 60
30 30
20 20
T
15
100
1000
IB
235
154. 279 259 280 270 24.2 200 210 200 230 150 24-7 262
4
2
'20
17
14.
50HI
HE 500 Hz 10013B 500 I
53
8 0
75
18
38
100 63
5
10 40 10 16 16 5 16 12 2 12 10 10 124 12 12 4t0) 40; 2) 6 12
36
0
43
7R
11L
A
A E B
2S
1iL
37 L
S S
3
2 7
13
16
20 19
300 HE'
3001-2
1000 az 3 00 10 50HII 2000 i 500 IlM
36
32 0
6s
22 L 4.7 94. 335S
15 L
6L 9L
16
23
7 3 27.
.21
20 18
3
0
80 35
30
40
25
34.
35
7
2
9
16
57
0 0 0 25
57
0 0 0
Rol
(No Coherent Pattern) (Inadequyate Photographic Coverage) 41 L 61 4.L 41 4.1 (Inadecjuatc Pho to raphic Coverage) 50
E. Bru s
20 8
1 1 17
7C.
C
265
241.7
25
35
S
La
17
18 14. 18
18
5 5
220 194. 250 223 230 250 24.0 24.0 240 225
77
57
96
123
1iL
12
30
'E
Mrter,
Schweinfur
4..10
4.10
1
111
1000 I1~
14+
1000HE
18L
20 La La 'a
8.10
8
5
9.10
10. 10
20 20 18 5
L A A.
CC
5
12 6
53
80-
H-q.
B03LB
Group
PJIL TL.NS
15 October 194+3
351st
(3)
1 (4) (5)
(1)
Courtrai
Braden
(.2)
(6)
10 10 10 10 2
(7) 220
240 260 260 230 263 234 250 230
210
(8) 36
(9)
(ltd)
47
(11)
58
(12) L
(13)
(1k4) 6
(15) 65
(16) 25
(17)
(18)
Kiel
St. Nfaaire jilihel mshr veia Bremen Ilul S T/0 St. Nazaire Le :'fans .miens Heroya ~Ha burgC Hamburg Masse].~
ji1helmshaven
13
18 14 12 16 18 12 15 17 19 17
500 IE
500 I0,
57
5?.
2 3 5 5
8
500 1 500 Mi
2000 H-3 1000 I 500 BE 500 I{H
5
10
25.
28.
5
2
1
500 TI 2000F2
50007-L
4.*
1;.
17.0
10 10 2 10 10 10 40o 16 16 10
10
10 R
40.
25
20 20
S3
57 57
-9
10
15 21 17 15 18 1
14
100 ThE
210
81 85 85
10OS
8 S 33S
13 L
15 L 7?R
15
15
13
35
50
25
25
S
L
S
A :,.
35
500rm~
100 TB 25,0 TB 250 TB 500 Hi~
250
162 260 260 260 260
290
2.
25. 26.
29.
4 5
6 3
Ruhr Schw~ei
4
2 6 4 1 6 8 2
ViI aco k ay
E.
7.
90
18 21 18 16 20 19 16 19 18 19
500 300
1000
mI
0 38 0
59
44
86 51
24?.
32
30
70 40
30
25 20 25
S
S
300 I
IE
16 16 5 12 2 12 12 10 12 144-
39
47
15 R
27?. 0 70 R 39R.
18
46
154 241
244 253 229 246 0 0
0 0 0
93
55
A
L
E
81 39
45
70
35 30
S
L S
C E C
B
11UL1
__
(1)
Romnilly Nantes Nantes
Emd~en
(2)
(3) (4f)
(5) 500 BE
1000 HE 500 HS
(6)
10) 2) 12 12 12 2) 42
(7)
220 210 181 246 234 256 259 134 24.6 235
(8) 21 21i.
(9)
68
(10) 62
(11) 75 4s 7Lj
1lL
15.9
16. 9
23.9 27.9 2.10 44D10 8.10 9.10 10.10 141l0
4.
7
1
14
19
13
12
25 35
20 20
s L
A D A
500OHE
500 HE 100 lB
65
17 19
8
93 74(Blind Bomrbing)
(Blind Bombing)
5R
10
1000oBE
14.
100 lB
S
(No Coherent
D 0
14
20
500 HE 1000 HE
Pattern)
25 S 27 L 39
SL
L
100 lB
8
10
2) 6
58
64
73
75
2L
2R
52j
Operational Research
Section
(6)
2
ii
''.,DNTSOP
BOi
'-I~L PATTRPNS
HCI. VIII Bomber Conpand 15 October 1943 (1) St. Nazaire Vilhelishaven Huffs T/b Villacoublay Beaumont Le Mans Abbeville VillacoubJlay Heroya Hamburg (2) 29. 5 Ui. 6 22.6
JNF~
(2
2S
Miles Short)E
379th Group
(3)
8 '2 3
(i )
16 18 14
(5)
200 B 1000 iF7 500 HE 5001TBE 500 H 300HBE 500H 100OHE 500BE
(7)
225
(8) 0 0 0
0 0 10 19 8
(9) 0 0
(10)
(11)
5
10 10 10 16
10
255 240
250 260 240 210 230 240 174 270 260 235 280 220 200 210 150 235 230 272 245 215 24-5 230 254 244 251 120 268 233
79R1
79
25. 6
26.6 28.6
19
4. 7
10.7
14.7
5
1
13 13 17 19
19
2
7 1
24 10
10 10
53 45
60
22 S
(3
LMiles)
2L 131R 10 L 21
9R
24+
60 70 25
30
24+.7
var
L Bourget S-chveinfurt Wtaten
4~en8
21 20 12
500OHE
500 HE 500 I
14.
19
62
25
5
2 3 10 2
3
13 19 21
18
15
27.8
31.
21
16 20
W1iily
3.
8
9
C..ary
jMtaL te s :..I, an te s UP. nden den Frankfurt Bremen .Anklam Munster Schweinf'urt
6. 9 9. 9 16.9
1
2
23.9
17 18 14 19
18
27., 9
2.10
17
4.10
.10 5,10
4 4
2
16 20
20
10 16 250ThB 16 20 Frag. 144x l6 300 I 250ThB 16 2 2000 BE 12 500OH12 500 HE 36 100ThB 20 Frag. 14 12 500 HE 12 500 M 40Q) 100 lB 2) 1000 BE 12 500 HE 12 500 HE 12 500 HE
250 1B
10 17
58
100
100 92 67
22 L~ 15 S
0 11IS
14 L 0 0 21 R 0 23 15 25 15 40
95 0
21
100
11
100
z
L
69
28
65
7L
3R1
75
30
L
S
A
D
S
(Blind Bombing) (Blind Bombing) 61 94
C.
0
14 70
0 63
100
92
82 100
1000
HE
10.10 1,,10 6
15 17
3) 5)
4.2) 2)
61 14
30
4*0 25
s
31 69
0 A
3)
5)
66
100
93
2L
30
20
41,00,
--mmalmlim-
r
0per.tiona1 Research Section Hcj, ',0I1lBomber Con~rnand. 15 October 1943 (1) Antwerp T/O St. Nazaire
Le
E2) t3) Q4.)
L ESIJHi L-HTS
-W- M-MI
(16)
381st Group
(5)
1000 HE 500OHE 2000 HE
50OOHE
(6)
10 2 10 16 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 16 10
(7)
250 280 240 210 221 267 170 250 270 270 250 285 200 210, 160 2).0 220 260 240
230
(8)
44
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
('h)
(15)
(17)
(18)
2 6 3 2
19 17 17
19 17
96
79
96
6s
6_
30
20
L S L
A
E A C E C B
A
Mans
4c'7
14. 7 17 72. 7
3 00 HE
500THE
5 5
25.7
26.7
14 20 14
15
500 HE
41 R
357L IL
50
42 21
25
20 30
L S
500
I 500BE
29.7
30.7
18
5f00 HE
18
16
19
500 HE
500 HE 300 BE
500OHE
8
29 15 0 0
40 50
35
12.8
16.8 17.8 27. 8 31.8 3.9
cLe
Bourget
4
2 -5
13 1Q 19
16
5
1 1
6. 9
(1
9. 9 15 9
16.9
19 15
18 17
1s
3 4
23.9
11
18
2.9
2.-10 4.10
80,10 9.10 6
19
12
18 16
10,110
11;.10 2
5 15
2 2000 HIF 12 500 HE 12 500 HE 100ThB 42 12 .500 HE 20 Frag. 144 12) 500 HE 2) 1000 HB 12 500O19 12 500OH-E 12 500 HE 40) 100 lB 2) 1000 HE 12 HE 500 12 500 Hu 3) 1000 HE~ 100 Th 5) 40) 100 lB 2) 1000 HE 6 500 HE
(Impossible to Segregate Bombfalls of 381st and 9lst)S S 20 65 11 O0R 68 5L 54 SR (Inadequate Photographic Coverage)
A B G
67
96 98
88
43S
7s
0 8R
9L 0
43
11 26 0
30 25 25 30
20 22 25 25 L L L
1
34
0 52
842
77 54
52
213 192 186 225 243 255 24+3 14;5 255 218
24S
A
D .3
99
99,
84
100
31 L 0
54L
5R
75
5
30 25
20 25
L
L
D A
G
c
B
57
100
60
L L L
95
100
48 s
39 R
61
20
20
- -E
t
(12)
rnr
(16)
(17)
(2)
22,.6 25. 6 2E, 6
(3)
1
(4.)
20
(5)
1000OHE 500 HE
(6)
10 16 10 24. 10 10 16 10 10 16 16 2416 10 2 12 10 144. 12 10 2) 12 4.2 4.2
(7) 234.
24.0 234. 219 220 253 139 260 230 250 256 300 234. 190 190 1t0 2j,0 238 255 197 235 226 24.3 263 239 14.5 253 215
(8)
0
(9)
11
(1Q) 80
(ii) 91
(13)
(1k-)
(15)
(18)
5
1 4.
2 13 16
25 S
(3
13 R
29
30
70
15 - 35 25
15
L
L S s
A 0
300 HE
0
0
Miles)
3R 19 R 15R
4p 7
1C. 7
14.7
500 HE
100 HE 500MHE 500 HE 250 lB 500 HE 500 HE 250 1B
3
8
14. 14.
19
5
14 0
2;i,7 2C. 7
98 12 12 36
65
35
L
Li C B
2E o 7
2c, 7
3C.7
11. 4.
6
1 2
5
12 11
12. 8 15.8
1E.8
11,
17
36
27 28 0
17.08
27.8
3 3 3
1
3. 9
6. 9
19 12 18 12
500MB
20
15 12 17
90 9
160 9
23.9
27. Emden Frankfurt Bremen Anklam Munster' Schweinfurt
9
6 5 3
183
18 16
60
4.5
30 B
30
37 S
(BIind Bombing) (Blind Bombing)
5R
37
.H~T'm
80
30
s L L
FE
2.10
L,.10
X3.10
19
19
9.10
10.10
15
8
1.0
14.10
HE lB lB B lB. lB HE
HE
4.8 16
%4
37'
25
L L
3) 5)
4.2)
L
L
A 0 A
lB
5)
50
95
83
1IL
20
15
Operational Research Section Wj. VIII Bomber Coinrnand. 15 October 194-3 (1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(UI)
(12)
(13)
(3z)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(z.8)
17. 8
19. 8
12
13
10 5)
225 215
15
31
42
82
3S
29 L
29
50
20
40th
St. Nazaire Wilhelmshavenl 29, 11, 13. 22.
Cobat ling
6
5
3
1~7
18
2000 500
500 500 HE
13 17
11~ 14. 1a 16
2 10 10
0 0
76
52
100
82$S 52 S
48 R 0
95
52
25
20
1L0
10 10 10 10 12
4.
V:acoublay S hweinfurt
selo s
5
2
70
23
217
250
0 0
Combat
55 49
21S
12L
6L
R K 29 L
23
13 30
40
30
41st
~
e azaire lmshaven en.
'ing
59 70
2cJ.
11. 1. 22. 17j.
9
3 12
li4 1.5
17
.15
14+
18
7. 7.
4f 5
20
500
0
0
32 S
6R
32
30
25
(Inadequate
Photograp~hic
9s
Coverage)
24 0
44
0
3L
10
4-0 30
30 30
-.---
-.
TIPI S
(1)
(2)
(3)
(1.)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
0 o)
(Ui)
(12)
(13)
(14.)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
Composites Bremen
Which
Bremen
Antwerp Meaulte Kiel Kiel
Gilze--Ri.jen
17e
l1 143f
5 5
5 10 10 5 7)
12
19 2!4.
8
$
15
60
42-
0 0 0
37 4.7 65 68
51 62
6Gs
38 R
39
92 100
16 L 188S 88s
31 R 32 R 18 L
35 36 20
35 70 60 4.5
30 25
s
20 35 I, S
B A
A
25 30
20 20
S
s S S
E
E E B
Villacoublay
13
20 ~g 50: T
214. 210
4.3
fimuda va 60 ramm
;Hmm-
cry
p-sir
Operation~al
Research 19".3
(2)
Section
Hq[
LEL
(11) (12)
15 October
(3)
1
2
(4.)
16
17
(5)
300 HE 500 HE 250 lB 500 HE
500 HE 500 HE 500 HE 1000 HE 500 HE 500 HE 300 H 250 lB 250 lED 500 HE 500 HE 100IH 100 HE 1001HE 500 HE 500 HE
500
(6)
16
10 16 10 10 10 10
(7)
230
228 264. 230
(8)
(9)
0
(z0)
(3.3)
(14.)
32
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
St, Omer
Ar werp
Ema1en. Lori_'nt Fensrig Emlen Rennes Cuxhaven Kiel
134 5 5 14._.
4.9
71
29 S 7L
IL
13 L
4R 2IL
60
90
20
S
S
D) D A A D
151, 5
17'e 5 19. 5
3
2 1 2 1 2
15
16 14. 18 16 15 8 14.
231
234.235 265 255 230 220 24+5 24.5 190
40
Le
Le
Mans
5
10
10
16 16 16 10 10 24. 12 12 10 10 12 10 14.4 12 10 12 12 8 38 12 10 4.0
7IL
35 L
4.6L
Bourget
2 1
19
19 18 11 17 21
14.IL
4.6
38
80
35
B
T/O T/O 0Ochersleben Bonn Abbesvie Regens Bordea B .auva. "$ Paris T/O e
5
1
232
215 210
19 77
3461
160 8 16. 8
17.* 8 24. 8 3: 9 60 9
3 3 7
19 19 19
12 18 16 21 20 21 21
220
180
33 76
30
38 56
82 90 83
100
L0 16 S
2+ S
18 R
5R
5
>5
4.R
50 4.0 25 30
30
20
S s S
30
25
230
230
1HE4
50
15.
9
9
9
1 2 2
16. 9
23,
27. 9
T/O Bremen MIarienb urg M~unster Schweinfurt 23.0 L:.10 E.10 1410 1(.10
6
19 17 2
L6
230
24.0
27
69
75 62 98 76
95
25 S 15
2R
?6
70
30
7R
7 5
30
25
20
20
L IL
L
5s
19 18
'8
HE
500 HE 10o0 TB
1L 1.J0
21
10oo IB
38
55
65
62 69
65
94
25S 6s
2 7
25 30
30
235
IL
L
A
B
37
'86
4-IL
IL
0~a~%RS aroL Section Conm and IiqA Vii : Bombr 15 Of,:tobar 19':3 (c)
St.* 0mn r Anltwerp?
N :_ 5
(2) 1;;" 5
(3)
2
(f)
15
(5)
300
14. 5
21
7
500 E:
250 lB 500 E:
500
BE
(6) 16
10
(7)
24. 215 270 24.5
(8)
(9) 77
7
(10)
58
39
(11)
(12) 7s
2L
(13)
4L 25 L
(3.4
(15)
(&}6)
(1 ) B
S
Lorient
Emdena
Rernies
17. 5
4
1
16
10
33 0
79
61
8
25
5Q
50
20
21..5
5
10
3 3
6
18 15
BE:
10
10 10 10 10
240
240 275 260 120 210 250 240 1390 230 250 180 250 213 210 180 210
240
40
13 3
2
16 21
18,
22 21 20
3
2 3 2
HE:
24. 7
4
16 10 10
0 0 8
0 0 44
100
43
96
(8 !alies)
72
(2
4.0
:fies)
50
57
50010~
250 lB
500 HE
C
B
2E. 7
1+, 8
1F. 8 17. 8
15
9 21 21 14 20
16
10 10 12 12 16 10 12
3
3
5
1 1
0 29
0 81
0 8
20 i44 100
61 55
42 85
10 R
10
24
A. A
97
79 100
6L
23 R
1 R
2A. 8
711.
6..9 11.. 9 if*. 9 23. 9 27. 9 2.1.0 #x.10 8.10 9.10 10.10 14..10
14
7..9 5. 9
21 18 21 20
18
18L
53
18
40
7 25
40 Cr
20
5
2 12 12 10 12 12 1.2
500
BE:
500 HE
500 HE.
65
4R
500 HE
500lBE: 500 HE: 1000 HE:
21 22 19 19
6
38
100 lB
100 13
44
46
88.
15
lOR
20
35
25
a.
L
L
C
B A
A.
4.
1
23 17
20
500 HE:
1000 lBE
38
12
113
24.7 220
4Q0
l0OR 531 79 78
10
36
0
4-11
66 s 1.7L
14.
83
7 80
40 25
L
L
Operational Research Section Hq. VIII Bomber Con iand 15 October 194.3 (1) Courtrai Emden Lorient Flensburg Emden Rennes Vilhellshaven Kiel Huls Le vIans Le Bourget T/O Hanover Oschersleben Bonn Merville Vendevij~ l abbevi1 Regen Borde Mardyo Mveulan~ fatten'
C0
LPATTRNS
(3)
2 1
(4.)
21
19
(5)
300 HE
500: HE 500l HE 500; HE 500 HE 500 HE 1000 500 BE 1000: HE 500 HE 300 BE 500: HE 1000 12 250 12 250 HE 100 12 100' 100: HE 100: HE 500 BE 500 HE 500 HE 500: I1In 500: H2 2000 HE 500 HE 500 HE 500 HE 500 HE 500 BE 1000 HE 500 HE 500 HE 500 HE HE 100 13
(6)
16 10 10 10 10
(7)
230
248
(8)
0
(9)
03
(10)
(u)
(12)
(13)
(14.)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
3 3
1 2
12
19
21 20 16 10
5
10
13. 22!
29. 1+.
9
1
18 20
21 16 12
5
10 16 10
24.0
220
230 230 24.0
4.7
1472
1 1
100
59 72
4.S
L9L :1
20
20 35
20 15
L S
A
A
25.
26. 28. 12. 15.
5
6
2 2
4 16
19
16
32 1 0 0 2
51 32 0 0
62 (No Coherent Pattern) (No Coherent Pattern) (No Coherent Pattern) 14.S 96 71 98 60 5L 7S 97 75
A
Ain
L L B P,
195
24.2
16
12
12 12 12 10 10 12 12 10 2 12 12 10 12 12)
1
1 1
19 23
23 19 14. 18
24. 2
7"
19
20
4. 2
1
16 18
19 19 12
19
153 T/O0
16. 23.
26. 27. 9 L.10 8,10
209 210 200 200 190 230 190 205 230 230 230 233 200 213
4.6
4.8
99 84. 0 0 36 93
9 R 1R
16
20
25
AC0
6
7
35
25
20
15 20
L L
AMP
72 4.7 66
4.2
99 56
9
77 80 P1hotographic Coverage)"' 16 L2 L 103S 8 0 8L 103s lOS 5L 7L 12 12
30
(Inadequate
A 25 25 L
L
A C
A
16
28
55
2)
12 12 12
254. 253
233 232
74.
4.1
35 35
35
30
L L
2,10
39
20 20
8.10
12 38
Mviles)
(1)
Gdynia Muns ter Schweinfurt
(2)
9,10 1010 1.,10
(3)
(4) 18 20
18
(5)
1000
(6)
(7) 235
247
240
(8)
31
(9) 63 63
(70)
(ii)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18) C
L A A
6
l L2 1.0
4
10
500HT
500 H
19
L
L
I m
C-, C/*
:277-17-s
C7
"t'
hIIEb
Operational
Resec)rc
Section
274V2TS
(C
(3)
6
6
(4i) 5
16 19 20 22
(3)
500 IHE
2000 500 1000 300 1 HM
(6)
10 2 10
(7)
24 0 278 200 260 250 203 220 200 220 261 202 232
(9)
(l0)
67 35
(1U)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15) 30 80
410
(1G)
(17)
(18)
2E,
10
2;5. 6 14 . 7 24. 7
2r-
4. 7
7
4 44
1
0
2 0 30
H
H
19
13
16
14 1 20 21 4 4 21 6 "14
5
17 11
2
2.9
(d..9
WWatten
Beauvis lei
7. 9
c.
18,
19 18
2
1 1
15... 9
U3~ 9
;mden .j
17
16
23. 9 27. 9
2.1O 1;.. 10 83.10 x.10 10.10
18
20 17
16 6
2 13 12
16 10 10 500 IHE 10 500 H 10 500 HE 10 500 1H 12 100 HE 12 100 Ih 16 250 lB 500 HE 10 12 500 BE 16 250 lB 2 2000 IR 20 .raga 14.4 12 500 HE 10 500 IE 12 500 HE 12 500 IH 12 500 THE 6 1000 HE 100 lB 38 100 lB 38 12 500 HE
500 Th
4L 13 R 14. 90 4? 90 L (N~o Coherent Pattern) 23 (Ina~dequate Photogra Bric Coverage) 10 9L 4L 91 air 100 47 34
71 80 27 66
20
A
E
+A
A
30
20
I I
1
I
1+L
5 L 4.S
1S
4.3 83 73
L9
14 R 10 L 8L 6L
A,
-180
20.5
230 210 225 230 230 204 229 245 250 230 24.6
50 60. 22
34
15
51 73 (Blindi Bombing) (Blind Bombing)
12 S 23S 23 L 8L
12 R
2 L 2L 3 24f 10
30 70
30
20 30
jo~kA
VMA
17
55
4R
35
35
10
C
0
30 20L 23L (Inaaccuate Photographic Coverage)
138
230
-U
c.
Operational Research Section Hq. VIII Bomber Coriirand 15 October 191.3 (1) Amsteram T/O T/O Oscherslebena Bonn Vitry Regensburg
1
r
iiJAST
1--(12)
(3)
2
(4)
(5)
500 H
(6)
10 10 10 10 10 24 10 10 14-4 12 12 12 12
(7). 213
240 225 200 24-3 201 24.0 180
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(13)
(iL
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
7 7 7
8
8
5
19 15
500 Hi
500
7
3
2
IE
2
11 20
115. 1
17. 8
43
1 1
20
11.E
T/O
6. 9
Beauvais/Tille Paris Kerlin-Bastard Emd~en Emnden T/O Bremen Marienbur ; J~lunster Schweinfur
91
1
r
19
21 20 18 18 15 18 21 17
53
98
82
100
b,-s
12 L 3S 16 S 5S
3R
8L
15
17 4-0
20 20
S L L
0
A
L5.c
HE
E
500 I
230 234230
223
55
76
2L
1 15
20
6
38 10 38 38
233 243
252 123
69 32
98
75
69
100 100
28S 14- S
1 R
20
236
230
77
La UE1 5iNTS
OF
BOL.,ILL P ,MORNS
(2)
:17. 7
25.
('4)
16
19
(5)
500: HE
500
(6) 10
10 HE TB HE HE
(7)
220 220 230 195 232 215 220 190
(8)
(9)
(10) 53 57 66 56
64
(I)
88
{l }
{z3)
(1 0
19 6
(i)
{ 6
tip
{I$
32
79
17 L 2L 0
8R
5Lj
4.0
25
25
S
L
26. 28 12.
15.
7 7 7 8 8
15 9
18 21. 21 21 21
2).
500
500 250 100 100 100 100
10
10 16 12 12 12 12 10 10 12 12 10 12 12 12 4.0 12 12
41.
43 4.6
0 68
87
100
40
35
A.
B
7
1 I
Vendeville
Poix Abbeville Regensburg Bordeauxc Dlenain Meulan T/O Beaumont
2
2 2
1 1
99 91 12
100
20
100
93
100
4.L
0
24. 8
2, 9
15
HE 500' HE 500 HO
500
190
180 200 165
38
78 44
58
75
96
10 s 2S
11L
35 35 30 35
12 25 25
25
20
20 30 30 25
L L
16
19
3. 9
20
13
18
2
2
16 21
16
230
215
24.0
35
83
500
100
21
15 21
4.10
8.10
9010
IVY
er
10,10
5 11
17 18
16
100o0
500
500 HE
42
12-
69
(f1ind. Bombing) (Blind Bombing)
1s
232
226 231 220
5 38)
12) 10
0
19
0
63
(32~ Miles)
14.10
(impossible
.rrr..
haMuR1-1iN2'T01? Or,BF.wlluPTlk1P- T
..
.r
.n
(2)
1.
(3) 3
(5)
500
100
500 flo
(6)
10 24L 10 10
(7)
278 226 200 200 230 230
24.8
(8)
(9)
(10)
(ui)
94.
X12}
- }
(1h.)
(15)
16)
(17)
(18)
Bonn Vitro? Regensburg Bordeaux Watten Beaumont Paris La Pa11ic~e Vannes Widen Emden T/0 Bremen M arienburg Mvunster
Shwein~.
38 0
R-
100 1
15 8 17.8
3
3 3 2
96
0 0 (Inadequate Photographic
24. 8
6. 9
9 20 3 20 21
21
500
500
1000
2000 500
5
2 I1M
coverage)
9L
L 20 2
25
12 12
12 12 12 4.0 38 10 12
L B
500
500
2~". 9
27. 9 4410 40 10
E.10
21
20
500 B 500 BE
27
79 72
71
99
100
3L
10
14.
L L
A
C
A
21
(Blind. Bombing)
(Blind Bombing)
L
53
13R
25
21
16
c.10 1C.10
11~.10
3
3 13
19 20 21
C.
A
10
100
18
17 19
73
85
100 61
58
100
100
2
10
15 25
25
L5
.L
A A
25
25
95
4-
-Crrnn
CH''
C-,
a i
Lit' d
.. rrr
;L.;
-,
esearc1
Section
October
(1)
194-3
3rd
(2) 2. 27t. (3)
(4.)
13 12 21 15
(5) 500 H
250 lB
2000
(6)
(7)
24.0 24.3 155 24.0
(8)
78 5
(9)
100 4.0
(10)
(Ui)
(12)
(13)
(14.)
(15)
(i6)
(17)
(18)
7
3
3C. 7 4.10
4 L 75
100
2L 20 R 20 25 25
L L
9
10
HE
100 lB
500 H
A
C
3C. 24
24. 27
7
1 .2
17
18 19
10 144. 2 10 10 2
237
230 230 167 225 215 175
2 26 0 45th
11;.
S 60
A
G
21
53
0
',ing
51.
25
L
Cobat
25. 7 3C. 7
27. 8 5.10
56
80
99
100
64.
100
99
IL Is
Lk R
3R
4.4.
20 15
25 15
A
B
1 21
100
A.
5
10
24.5
Composites wJhich Can Not Be assigned to Combat ' ings
15.
ie 15.
22 17 15 13
500 HE 1000 HE
235
255
265 24.0 250
36
70
39 L
6L
39
4.5
1000 HE 5001HE
5
10 10
22s
22. 2L. 28.
10 11 1
2 1
8 19 13 17
18 14.
500
2000
i-,
1000 HE 1000 H0
HE H
5 5
2 2
235
233
255
260 250 250 24.0 217
4.2
0
55
25 .50
30
2000 HE 1000 HE
1000
3 25.
290
19 12 12
250 lB 250 lB
4. 4. 16
10
35. 16 14.
75
39 53
35
4-3
75
68
79
4.1
171S
6L
18
-------
- pmr-m
0-FT. 1T
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{O .J1lG . IUD
RR of
Pattern 2900
.', 2000
Area of
Pattern
4.00
0-
of~
Center'
1600 23
6 *
32
29 44.
38
21 27
5 to 7- Million
Sq.
Ft.
30
4.0 4.9 1+6 28 44. 51
53
31
29 4.5
23
34.
26 29 28 32
38 1+2
35
24. 31
32
7~ to 10 Mvillion
Sq. Ft.
4.7 4.8
36
37 27 1+6
25 22
14.
35
33
33
30
0 0 0
38
36
17
4. .7
2
14
4.2
39 30
31 38 33
26 29 24.
10
36
31 27
36
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