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Summary:
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The three squadrons of the 401st made up the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group on this mission to attack the Spanau amrament works in Berlin. Although the weather was clear up to the target area, smoke and haze made it necessary to bomb by the PFF (radar)method. Results could not be assessed.
While no enemy fighter opposition was encountered, flak over Kassel and over the target caused major damage to two aircraft and minor damage to 18 others. One crew member of a returning aircraft was wounded.
One of the ships with major damage, No. 43-37551, piloted by Lt. Joseph W. McCullough, was hit by flak over the target and was last seen with the port wing on fire. The plane remained with the formation for some time but suddenly went into a spin and disappeared into the clouds. When the bailout signal was given, six members of the crew were able to parachute to safety and were made prisoners of war, but four were killed.
The crew of another ship, No. 43-37790 ("Lady Luck"), piloted by Lt. J. J. Kamper, flying its first mission, bailed out over the Continent and all landed safely in Allied territory. However, the Group history makes no mention of the incident, and the circumstances of the incident are not known.
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