TARGET: I.G. FARBENINDUSTRY LEUNA CHEMICAL WORKS
MERSEBERG, GERMANY
28 JULY, 1944

The synthetic oil section at the I. G. Farbenindustrie Leuna chemical works (Leuna) was producing at 75 percent of capacity in spite of four bombings since 12 May. The 457th composed the 94th B Combat Wing, which was eighth in the Division formation. Major George C. Hozier was Air Commander, with Captain Schuchmann as pilot. Major George A. Beere led the low B box, and Captain J. L. Smith led the high B box.

The flight to the target area was without incident. Clouds hid the ground most of the time, but considerable shipping was observed on the Rhine River.

At the IP a complete undercast existed. Bombing was by PFF through the thick undercast. Considerable antiaircraft fire engaged the aircraft, but only one airplane suffered damage. Bomb results were not observed.

On the return flight a strong tail wind pushed the planes so fast that in an hour and twenty-five minutes they were back a the North Sea. Significant to the day’s operation was the appearance of the Me-163 rocket fighters, which were observed by other groups, but none attacked. All 457th craft returned safely.

The Lt. Breit crew flew their last mission on this date.