398th Bomb Group
Memorial
Association


Lt. Mark J. Woods, Jr.'s Diary
Navigator, 600th Squadron

Woods
Mission No.
4

13 May 1944
Target
Politz, Germany

May 13, 1944 Mission #4
Mission: Politz near Stetlin, alternate Peenemunde near Wolgast.

Load: 36-100 lb. bombs

Target: Gas Works. Alternate target - chemical works

Altitude: 26,000 feet

Remarks: Finally hit target near town. Flak heavy, two holes battle damage. Weather lousy. Fighters all the way except for about 20 minutes. P-51s, P-38s and P-47s. Saw 75 German FW-190s go through the low group saw a B-17 spin in. Right waist gunner saw a fighter explode.

Day’s loss: 2 bombers, 5 fighters
Coordinates: Strasund target of opportunity 54" 18'N 13" 05'E
Briefed target 53" 33'N 14" 34'E. Alternate 54" 08'N 13" 47'E
Flight Time: 10:15 hours

Notes:
  • Lt. Mark J. Woods, Jr. was a Navigator on Stanley R. Reed's 600th Squadron crew.
  • The above transcription was provided by Carolyn Woods and Joe K. Mansell.
  • This transcription is a reproduction of the original. Spelling and punctuation changes have been made to improve readability. In some circumstances, material may not have been transcribed or was rewritten.
  • Clarification of acronyms or special words or guesses of certain words are shown in brackets [ ].

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