|
Summary:
|
This was the first of two missions flown this day in support of "Operation Varsity", the Allied ground force crossing of the Rhine River. The 401st put up its usual three squadrons comprising the 94th Combat Wing "B" Group. The target, a Luftwaffe airfield, was attacked visually with good results.
While no enemy aircraft were reported, flak encountered on the bomb run was deadly accurate, with 16 aircraft sustaining major battle damage and two others minor damage.
One of the badly damaged ships, No. 43-38733 ("I'll Be Seeing You"), piloted by Lt. Charles J. Campbell, made it back to England despite losing two engines over the target and having elevator controls shot off, which made the aircraft nearly uncontrollable. Spotting an airfield near the coast, Lt. Campbell let down to land, but on final approach another engine failed, which threw the plane into a spin and resulted in a crash. Seven members of the crew perished, but two miraculously survived.
|
