Mission 760 Overview & The Third Force (2nd Air Division) Framework

Mission 760, conducted on December 24, 1944, was a maximum effort deployment by the U.S. Eighth Air Force. To manage the scale of over 2,000 bombers, the operation was structured around its three constituent Air Divisions, each designated as a distinct "Force" with specific aircraft types and primary target categories. This document provides a concise overview of this command structure and the division of responsibilities.

(Note: Detailed overall mission objectives, date, and strategic context are assumed to be covered in "Mission 760 Project Parameters, Personnel Manifest & Phase 1 Data Points." This post focuses on the Force/Division structure for internal SMDB reference.)

1. First Force (Comprised of the 3rd Air Division):

• Primary Aircraft Type: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

• General Target Category: Luftwaffe Airfields and related infrastructure in Germany.

  • Examples of assigned targets: Frankfurt-Main, Zellhausen, Babenhausen, Gross-Ostheim, Darmstadt, Biblis. (These airfields housed elements of Jagdgeschwader 4 and 11).

• Strategic Aim: To degrade the German Air Force's operational capabilities by damaging runways, aircraft, and support facilities, thereby reducing enemy fighter opposition over the continent.

• Secondary Targets (Examples): Marshalling yards (e.g., Darmstadt, Kaiserslautern, Pforzheim) if primary targets were obscured.

2. Second Force (Comprised of the 1st Air Division):

• Primary Aircraft Type: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

• General Target Category: Luftwaffe Airfields and related infrastructure in Germany (distinct from First Force targets).

  • Examples of assigned targets: Merzhausen, Kirchain (Kirchhain), Hungen, and other airfields generally located north of the Frankfurt area targeted by the First Force (some housing Jagdgeschwader 4 elements).

• Strategic Aim: Similar to the First Force, to reduce enemy air power through direct attacks on their bases.

• Secondary Targets (Examples): Marshalling yards (e.g., Niederlahnstein near Koblenz, Siegen).

• Contingency (Plan B): If unable to take off for primary targets, this force was assigned to the Lützel marshalling yard (Koblenz area).

3. Third Force (Comprised of the 2nd Air Division):
(This Force is the primary subject of the "Project SMDB" for 

• Primary Aircraft Type: Consolidated B-24 Liberator.

• General Target Category: Tactical targets, primarily German transportation and communication infrastructure vital to the Ardennes front.

  • Focus was on interdicting railway lines, marshalling yards, and bridges in the Eifel region of Germany and adjacent areas.

  • Specific target examples for units within this Force included: Eller, Arloff, Düren, Euskirchen, Gerolstein, Daun, and key rail lines (e.g., between Wengerohr and Koblenz; Daun and Mayen-Ardorf to Sinzig).

• Strategic Aim: To directly impede German military reinforcement, resupply, and logistical capabilities supporting the Battle of the Bulge.

• Key Units within the Third Force (Directly relevant to 

  • The 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (CBW).

  • The 467th Bomb Group (stationed at Rackheath), assigned to the 96th CBW. (Leading Lady was an aircraft of this group).

  • The 466th Bomb Group and 458th Bomb Group were also key components of the 96th CBW for this mission, assembling with the 467th.

• Secondary Targets (Example for Third Force): Military objectives of opportunity in the vicinity if primary targets were obscured, or any identified military objective inside Germany not limited by prevailing directives (last resort).