TARGET: MARSHALLING YARDS
FREISING, GERMANY
18 APRIL, 1945

The marshalling yards at Traunstein were the primary target. The Group comprised the 94th A Combat Wing with Captain Rollins as Air Commander.

Group and Wing assembly were without incident. Division assembly line was flown on course and in proper position. No difficulty was encountered.

Route over the Continent was flown approximately as briefed. The Group was about five miles left of course most of the route, in order to remain in Division column. Cloud coverage at the target was five to six tenths, but clouds were moving out and preparations were made for visual bombing. Squadrons took interval without difficulty, swung slightly right of the IP, because of antiaircraft fire, and prepared for a visual run.

A run was made on Traunstein, the primary target, but it became obscured again by clouds, and no bombs were released. The Group Leader then ordered squadrons to make a PFF run on the secondary target, Freising, with the low squadron leading, since the PFF equipment of the lead squadron was not operating normally.

Down the bomb run, the clouds broke sufficiently to permit a visual run. The low squadron bombed just ahead of the lead squadron, however, it was necessary for the high squadron to execute a 360 degree turn and make a second run on the target, because it was unable to identify the Ml’l on the first run. No other difficulties were encountered. Bombs were dropped from 18,000 feet. Bombing results were excellent.

Meager, inaccurate flak was encountered in the vicinity of the IP.

Engine No. 4, on the craft piloted by Lt. William T. Thistle, flying deputy lead of the lead squadron, began smoking, but the plane was under control. While on the bomb run, the waist door was jettisoned and f’our to six parachutes were observed. After the chutes cleared, the craft peeled ofT to the left in a 180 degree turn, dropped its bombs and closed its bomb bay doors. The crew, except one member, parachuted suc cessfully and was listed as missing in action. Freising was liberated ten days later by advancing ground troops.

Thistle’s crew was the last one lost because of enemy action. Sgt. John T. Miller became the last member of the Group killed in action.