MISSION NO. 56
TARGET: AIRFIELD
LUXEuil, FRANCE
31 MAY, 1944

May ended with a trip to a French military airfield that was used by the German Luftwaffe. The Group provided twelve aircraft to lead the 94th Combat Wing, third in the Division formation. Lt. Col. Henry B. Wilson flew as Air Commander with Lt. Malcolm E. Johnson as pilot.

Lead crew Lt. Col. Wilson (Air Commander) and lt. Malcolm E. Johnson (Pilot)

The entire formation was bothered by dense contrails, and the Division leader abandoned the mission, followed by the second wing in the formation. This put the 457th in the lead position. The wings following the 94th Combat B Wing turned around so the 94th found itself alone a hundred miles inland over enemy territory. AP-5 1 fighter group was located overhead, but because of weather conditions became separated from the 94th Combat B Wing. The Wing let down to 18,000 feet and found CAVU conditions.

Target Luxeuil, France

Bombing results were excellent, the bombs dropping directly on the target. No enemy aircraft were encountered and flak was light. Soon after the Wing rally, fighter escort appeared and brought the 94th Combat B Wing back to England.

During the month of May, the Group had flown eighteen missions, some being the toughest the 45 7th had encountered. Later, congratulatory messages were received from the Wing, the Division, and the Eighth Air Force, for the efforts expended during the month. No one knew the invasion date, however, everyone knew it could not be far distant, from the many signs provided by ground communications and aerial missions