Sixth mission: Plauen

Daddy's longest mission, at 9 hours 10 minutes. His pilot's name was Brandt, and they were members of the 338th Bomb Squadron, so I think his plane had to land in France on this trip. Probably ran out of gas, or could be battle damage. Smitty would know, but I'm too embarrassed to call him again after I bawled and squawled through our last conversation.

For the second time this month the group visited Plauen. But the bombing was just as badly executed as it had been on the first visit. Bombs fell far short of the tank factory. As the group reformed for the return to Snetterton, it was engulfed by rapidly deteriorating weather. While approaching Amiens, France, the squadrons were scattered by torrential rain, hail and dense cloud. C Squadron took the worst of it. Five A/C ran short of fuel and had to land in France. From the 339th, Lts Charles McGehees, Billy Lynch and Bill Schram landed at Amiens and Poix in France and at St Trond in Belgium. From the 338th, Lts Brandt and Greer made it to Merville, France. The others landed safely at Snetterton. -- Snetterton Falcons

38 planes dispatched. 37 planes dropped 107.5 on the primary target and 1 plane failed to bomb. 38 Credit Sorties. During assembly a 34BG plane collided with a 452BG plane, both crashing killing both crews. B-17G 43-38402 L/P Mid-air collision with a 452BG B-17 during assembly. Planes crashed at Framsden and Crettingham, UK. With 391BS. Pilot: unknown. No Missing Air Crew Report. All Killed. Plane salvaged 26-3-45. -- 34th BG

Leading 37 aircraft from this command was Major Sandman, the formation taking off at 09.00 hrs under very poor conditions before assembling over France. The primary target was Zeitz, Germany. On the bomb run the high and lead squadrons were unable to pick up the target and did no drop their bombs, while the low squadron bombed with poor results. Another run was made on the target but due to cloud coverage it was again obscured, after which, the secondary target, Plauen, was hit. Considerable accurate flak was encountered throughout the target area and battle damage to aircraft was extensive. Several aircraft landed in France due to a shortage of gas and battle damage. Lt Hawley landed at B-50, and his plane burned immediately after landing with two crew members slightly injured. Lt Smith, of Baden’s crew, received a perforating flak wound in the right hand. Several aircraft landed in southern England, short of gas and battle damage. All other crews are accounted for except Lt Price, who left the formation over France. -- 381st BG