Pathfinder (PFF) Crews
Flying the Pathfinders
In the early days the 493rd BG supplied all of the aircraft and crews
for each of the missions and visual bombing techniques were employed.
However as autumn approached, the European weather systems decided
they would play a part in making this method extremely difficult.
“Heavy cloud cover” and “10/10 Undercast” were terms that were regularly
used in the mission reports when targets could not be pinpointed.
Fortunately the advances in “Electronic Navigation” and RADAR came
to the rescue in the form of the “Pathfinder” (PFF) aircraft.
Because of the new technology, the 493rd BG was unable to service
its own fleet of PFF aircraft, so would “borrow” aircraft and crews
from other groups, primarily the 34th BG, 486th BG and the 96th BG.
Initially an aircraft commander would be supplied to fly on these
lead aircraft and direct the operations. As training facilities became
available a selected number of crews were designated pathfinder crews
and as such were required to leave Debach and join the other groups
on a “Detached Service” basis. Up to 90 men could be serving off station
at any time. They would fly the Pathfinders normally only on missions
being flown by the 493rd BG and would meet up with their colleagues
during the formation assembly process. Servicing of these aircraft
was carried out by personnel of the operating station.
As ground facilities and maintenance training was enhanced, by December
1944 the 493rd BG was operating and maintaining its own fleet of specialised
Pathfinder aircraft so the Detached Service crews could return home
to Debach.
Little Walden
Control Tower at Little Walden - 1945
Although Debach airfield was relatively new, from the early days
there were problems with the perimeter track and runways breaking
up, with regular repairs being made. Between August and October 2
units 0f the 829th engineers were on site carrying out major repairs
to the taxiways and runways. After the particularly harsh winter of
1944-45 the runways could take no more and with the growing number
of take-off and landing accidents caused by the break up the decision
was made to re-lay the 3 runways, and a substitute base for the aircraft
was needed.
AAF Station 165 “Little Walden” proved to be ideal. Originally constructed
to be used as a “Class A” airfield it had recently been vacated by
the 361st fighter group, who were temporarily deployed to Belgium.
For 2 weeks prior to the change over, Officers and enlisted men prepared
station 165 for the arrival of the aircraft and support personnel.
On March 1st 1945 the aircraft took off from Debach on a mission to
attack the tank part manufacturing plant at Uim, Germany. As soon
as they were in the air the ground crews began the mammoth task of
transporting the necessary equipment from Debach to Little Walden.
A huge convoy carried all of the essential supplies and personnel
that would be required in their temporary home. Fortunately there
were no delays or mishaps en route and thanks to the outstanding efficiency
of all concerned Little Walden was ready to receive the aircraft when
they returned from Germany.
Little Walden was to serve the 493rd BG for the month of March whilst
the runways at Debach were ripped up and re-laid. Over two thirds
of the 493rd compliment were based there, with only the essential
services and those sections that could be operated from a distance
remained at Debach for this period. All of the aircraft servicing,
maintenance and armament & ordnance sections, the medical, fire
and administration sections plus everything else required for the
day to day operation of a heavy bomber group were established at this
remote field. A regular shuttle service was run between the two airfields
to ensure the efficient operation of both bases.
20 combat missions were flown from here and on the last one, on 31st
March 1945, after the last aircraft had taken off for the mission
to Brandenburg, Germany, the convoy once again rolled along the roads
back to Debach. Again no vehicles (or personnel) were lost en route
and the mammoth task
of preparing to receive the incoming aircraft began. Once again,
as the first aircraft landed on the freshly laid runway at Debach
the ground crews were ready to receive and service them.
Throughout the period from Mid February to the end of March not one
day of operational activity was lost due to this move and is testament
to the efficiency of the planning and the personnel who carried out
the move and continued to operate the aircraft as if nothing had changed.
Wormingford
On 17th February 1945, an initial roster of 7 officers and 176 enlisted
men of the 862nd BS left the 493rd BG to become attached to the 55th
Fighter Group as part of the 3d Scouting Force, based at Wormingford
in Essex. 8 new B-17s were assigned to the group and along with existing
P-47s and P-51 Mustangs along with their Pilots and support crews,
the 3rd Air Division Scouting Force was complete.
Stripped of most of their armament the aircraft (B-17s) were crewed
by a Pilot, co-Pilot, Navigator, Engineer, Radio Operator, Tail Gunner
and a meteorologist. Up to 6 B-17s and multiple single engined aircraft
would be required on any mission acting as weather observation ships,
as well as performing radio relay duties for both Bomber and Fighter
escort groups.
Numerous trips were also made to Ireland, Paris, Scotland and other
destinations to ferry personnel on official Business and on furlough.
Several missions were "Classified".
In April alone, 140 missions were flown by the 3d scouting force,
with multiple B-17s being used on 22 occasions. During this month
the Intelligence section held "special studies" for the
Pilots and Navigators who were expected to take part in the pending
"Revival Missions"
The 862nd BS went "off operations" on the 7th May 1945,
after flying scouting missions for the "Operation Chowhound"
food drops in Holland, and, after the announcement of Victory in Europe
on the 8th May, the squadron again underwent a complete change. The
3d scouting force was to be de-activated, so the ground personnel
packed up in preparation for the move to rejoin the 493rd BG. The
flying crews were sent to the 70th Re-enforcement Depot to await transportation
to the Zone of the Interior.
On the 17th May 1945 91 Officers and 371 enlisted men returned to
Debach, where the 862nd BS was again re-established as a bombing squadron.