MISSION NO. 218
TWENTE/ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS
24 MARCH, 1945

“Afternoon Mission “

Captain Anderson led the 94th Low A Composite Combat Wing in the 1740 takeoff. As the afternoon crews were busy going about briefing and readying for the mission, the morning mission had returned and word quickly spread concerning the heavy enemy opposition. One plane in particular had returned with a big chunk torn from its wing. Morale of the crews suffered.

The box assembled in Group formation with the 35 1st Group as lead. Bombing was visual, with squadrons in trail. The lead squadron was too far left and did not drop, making it necessary to execute a 360 degree turn for a second run. The low squadron released its bombs on the first run. There were no clouds, only slight haze and smoke. Bombs of the low squadron were dropped from 21,400 feet. Bomb results of the low squadron were fair.

Low and high squadrons did not wait for lead to make a 360 for a second run, but returned to base.
The Germans had saved some ammunition for the p.m. attack. Flak was moderately heavy and fairly accurate. A few days later, Lt. General Lewis H. Brereton, the Commanding General of the 1st Allied Airborne Army, sent a message to the Eighth Air Force, expressing appreciation for the excellent support given to the First Allied Airborne Army in its successful operation across the Rhine on 24 March.
A similar message was received from the Commanding General of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, General Dwight D. Eisenhower.