TARGET: DEMAG FAHRZEUG WERKE FACTORY
BERLIN, GERMANY
28 MARCH, 1945

The Group, comprising the 94th C Combat Wing with Major Spencer as Air Commander, made its final mission to Berlin. Industrial areas were the targets. The Demag Fahrzeug Werke factory was assigned to the 457th.

Assembly conditions were poor. Haze and heavy contrails made it necessary to raise assembly altitude to briefed plus 4,500 feet. Both the 35 1st and 401st crossed the assembly area during assembly.

The 457th assembled in Wing formation behind the 40 1st instead of the 351St as briefed. The 351st was unable to locate the Wing formation because of heavy contrails and clouds, but later joined the Division bomber stream.

The 457th was not in proper position and was the 94th A Group instead of the C. Route to the target was uneventful and was flown on course at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 feet above briefed in order to avoid contrails and clouds. Cloud coverage at the target was nine to ten tenths, and it was necessary to bomb the PFF secondary in Group formation by means of radar equipment. Poor visibility caused constant interference. Bombs were dropped from 26,500 feet. Bombing results were unobserved due to cloud coverage. After bombs away, the Group proceeded to fly the briefed course westward. “Big B” lived up to its reputation and provided antiaircraft opposition.

Eight aircraft sustained damage.