TARGET: BMW AERO ENGINE WORKS
MUNICH, GERMANY
31 JULY, 1944

The 457th Group, together with seven other combat wings, was assigned the Allach BMW Aero Engine Works as the visual target and the City of Munich as its PFF target. Thirty six planes, led by Major Fred A. Spencer, formed the entire 94th C Combat Wing. Lt. Mueller led the low box, and Lt. Charles E. Newmeyer the high box. Assembly was without incident, although as the route was flown constant deviations were made in order to stay out of the prop wash of the 94th B Wing ahead. Near the Rhine River altitude had to be increased to 26,000 feet because of the cloud formation at flight altitude.

At the W a thick undercast obscured the ground and additionally the Wing had been crowded out of formation, so it was necessary to pick up a slightly different heading from the briefed one. Bombing was by PFF over the southern part of the city.

Antiaircraft fire was accurate on the low box. The ship piloted by Lt. Byron S. Shiffman took a direct hit and the right wing came off. The craft went into a spin and exploded. Seven crew members did not survive.

The month of July ended with the Group having flown 19 missions, which struck a variety of targets. The 457th was now looking for Mission No. 100.

The crew of Lt Byrin S. Shiffman was lost on this date.