The 6th Bomb Group

This was a daylight precision bombing mission involving 30 planes from the 6th Bomb Group:

The second combat-credited mission was flown on the 8th to bomb the airfield on Moen Island in the Truk Group.  Thirty ships bombed the primary target hitting it with hundreds of 500 lbs. general purpose bombs.  Enemy opposition was negligible and strike results were fair.  Sixth combat crews got their first look at flak bursts on this mission, however no planes were damaged and all returned safely.

[Pirate's Log, p. 29]

20th AF Mission 27

Date: 8 February 1945
Code Name: Panhandle # 2
Target: Truk Airfield One, Moen Island
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 31
% A/C Bombing Primary: 97% (30 A/C)
Time Over Primary: 081057K - 081133K
Altitude of Attack: 29,500 - 30,700
Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 9/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results poor. One early return. Enemy air opposition nil. AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average bomb load: 10,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,000 gallons.