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Summary:
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This was the third consecutive mission to bomb the Cologne railroad marshalling yards, a focal point of the German effort to supply their ground forces fighting near Aachen, only forty miles away. Over the three days, some 3,000 bombers had been dispatched to the target, accompanied by 2,000 fighters.
On this mission the 401st put up three squadrons, comprising the 94th Combat Wing "B" unit. Once again cloudy weather forced the use of PFF (radar) bombing techniques. Unfortunately, the Group lead ship experienced a PFF malfunction on the bomb run and, as there was no time to change leaders, the Group dropped its bombs on the preceding Group's smoke bomb. Results could not be observed.
No enemy aircraft were encountered, and flak over the target was moderate and inaccurate. However, one four gun flak battery encountered en route put up very accurate fire, resulting in major damage to one aircraft and minor damage to ten others.
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