Assumed Location: Western Front at the time of the Ardennes Offensive or the Normandy Invasion.
1600 Hours: Order to Geschwader: Tomorrow ground attack mission by Geschw. in front sector B. Strong concentration of MT and tanks observed there. Start about 0900 hours. One Gruppe will carry bombs, one Gruppe R.P.’s and one Gruppe will furnish fighter escort. Load: 250 kg. explosives (without delay) and 21 cm. smoke shell rockets.
Geschwader to Gruppe: Transmits above order to Kommandeur, also orders to attach bomb-racks and to clear a/c. Bombs will be in readiness alongside the respective a/c. Order to lead will be issued early. Pilots will receive detailed briefing in navigation to and within front sector B.
At the Gruppe: The Geschwader order transmitted to the Staffelkapitane. Stakas initiate immediate attachment of bomb-racks, checking of fusing system, transport of bombs to individual a/c. Detailed briefing of pilots on front with aid of 1: 100,000 map. Short refresher instructions for pilots on bombing procedures and ground attack tactics (approach, sun, break-off). When all this is done, the ‘all clear’ report is given to Geschwader. The same procedure as above in the 2nd Gruppe, except that instead of bomb-racks the attachment of R.P. apparatus is ordered.
Next morning: Start orders for the Geschwader at 0900 hours. Attack area B, main target: concentration of M.T. Exact front-lines (conspicuous land marks) from A over B and C to D. At the same time J.G. 10 will be committed in this sector as additional fighter cover in altitudes from 5000 meters to 7000 meters.
From Geschwader to Gruppe: The above order for the mission, also: assembly at 0915 hours over L at 1000 meters curving left, in the following order: II Gruppe – R.P., I Gruppe – Bombs. Both Gruppen in open, slightly stepped up formation. III Gruppe 500 meters in the rear and above ready for combat as close fighter protection. Altitude of approach 4000 meters. Wide envelopment to the South will be made to attack out of the sun. Leveling off at 4000 meters. Return after the attack to the rear of front line. When contact with enemy fighters is made, III Gruppe engages enemy, so that formation can carry on mission undisturbed. If no contact with enemy fighters during approach and over target area, III Gruppe carries out a ground attack right after II Gruppe and resumes immediately thereafter fighter protection of the homing bomber A/C.
Mission report from Geschw. to next higher echelon: Includes the following information.
Start time, landing time, no. of a/c, targets encountered, bombs and r.p. used, results observed, losses, A.A. defenses.