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These secret reports provide a summary of the disposition of Allied and
German combat units from June 6, 1944 to VE Day. When they were declassified, they were filed with the Library of Congress
where copies may be obtained. Accompanying each report was a detailed map of the European Theater. The maps have been scanned
and are available online in Map Collections at the Library of Congress. In the Military Battles and Campaigns section, search for Battle of the Bulge. This information
is extracted from those reports.
From 161200A Mar 45 to 171200A Mar 45
Dated 172300 Mar 45
AIR. (16 March). Ninth Air Force: IX Bombardment Division: Dispatched 292 bombers against a communications
center at LANDAU R2766, a railroad bridge at NIEDERSCHEID G3955, a marshalling yard at HERDORF G1542 and various casual targets.
860 fighter/fighter bomber sorties were flown by the tactical air commands.
WEATHER (Battle Area).
Precipitation: None. Clouds: Patchy, dissipating by noon in the south. Visibility: Less than 2,000
yards at dawn, improving to 1 to 2 miles by 1000A and becoming 4 to 6 miles by 1200A. Wind: 6 mph, west. Temperatures at NAMUR:
Maximum 55oF. Minimum 32oF.
From 171200A Mar 45 to 181200A Mar 45
Dated 182300 Mar 45
AIR. (17 March). Ninth Air Force: IX Bombardment Division: Dispatched 792 bombers against marshalling yards in KAISERLAUTERN
R0295, NEUSTADT R3083, ALTENKIRCHEN F9332, SIEGEN G2053, DILLENBURG G3838, FRANKENBERG G7574 and BAD HOMBURG M6380; a communications
center at EITORF F8041 and an ordnance depot at GIESSEN G6720. 599 fighter/fighter bomber sorties were flown. Claims included
2 enemy aircraft, 366 motor transport and 396 railroad cars. One aircraft was lost.
WEATHER (Battle Area).
Precipitation: None. Clouds: Broken. Visibility: Less than 1,000 yeard in fog at dawn, otherwise 1 to 2 miles by 1000A
and 3 to 5 miles by 1200A. Wind: Light and variable. Temperatures at NAMUR: Maximum 56oF. Minimum 34oF.
From 181200A Mar 45 to 191200A Mar 45
Dated 192300 Mar 45
AIR. (18 March). Ninth Air Force: IX Bombardment Division: Dispatched 688 bombers. Targets included marshalling yards
at WORMS M4514, WETZLAR G5418 and BAD DURKHEIM R3297. Eleven bombers were lost. 1,143 fighter/fighter bomber sorties were
flown. Claims included 7 enemy aircraft, 684 motor transport, 64 tanks or armored vehicles, 394 railroad cars, 108 buildings,
101 rail cuts and 13 marshalling yards. Eight aircraft were lost. [One of them Dad's.]
WEATHER (Battle Area).
Precipitation: None. Clouds: Scattered to broken, Visibility: 1 to 2 miles except in fog at dawn, becoming 3 to 5 miles
by noon. Wind: 8 mph, southwest. Temperatures at NAMUR: Maximum 56oF. Minimum 44oF.
From 191200A Mar 45 to 201200A Mar 45
Dated 202300 Mar 45
AIR. (19 March). Ninth Air Force: IX Bombardment Division: Dispatched 590 bombers against targets which included railroad
bridges at BAD OEYNHAHSEN W7200, LAGE B7277, NDR. MARSBERG B7819, VOLKMARSEN B9613 and NETZE G9592; a communications center
at ENGELSKIRCHEN F7765 and a marshalling yard at WUPPERTAL F5896. 1,804 fighter/fighter bomber sorties were flown. Claims
included 21 enemy aircraft, 1007 motor transport, 59 tanks or armored vehicles, 117 locomotives and 1,229 railroad cars. Seven
aircraft were lost.
WEATHER (Battle Area).
Precipitation: Light intermittent rain and drizzle. Clouds: Broken low clouds spreading southeastward during the day.
Visibility: 1 to 2 miles at dawn, improving to 4 to 6 miles by 1200A and to more than 6 miles during the afternoon. Wind:
Varying southwest to west, 23 mph. Temperatures at NAMUR: Maximum 57oF. Minimum 45oF.
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