TARGET: AERO-ENGINE FACTORY
LEIPZIG, GERMANY
29 JUNE, 1944

The target was the aero-engine factory located five miles northeast of Leipzig, one of the sources of production for Ju 88s, Ju-1 88s and He-ills. Many of the targets designated by the Eighth Air Force for this mission had been previously bombed, but fully repaired.
The 457th led the 1st Division and furnished the lead and low boxes of the 94th Combat Wing, a total of thirty-six aircraft. Col. Luper served as Air Commander, in the lead box, with Captain Russell M. Selwyn as pilot, and Major Peresich was Commander, with Lt. Lady as pilot, of the low box.

Due to weather related difficulties, only twenty-one of’ the total number of ships dispatched attacked targets. The lead box made a 360 degree turn over the target. On the circle back to the IP, six 410s made a pass at the lead box and damaged one plane. Escorting P-51s intervened and drove them away. Bombing results were considered good.

Flak had tracked the low box all the way to the target and scored a direct hit on the aircraft piloted by Lt. Albert Gumuslauskas. It went into a steep dive, the crew bailed out and the craft exploded. Four of the aircraft bombed the primary target.
Eight craft of the low box bombed a target of opportunity, the railroad marshalling yards at Wittenberge, with good results. The craft piloted by Lt. Norman Breit encountered considerable flak. Thinking the craft was going down, three of the crew bailed out. Intense and accurate flak was encountered and fifteen craft sustained damage.

June ended with the Group having flown 23 missions for the month. A letter received through Supreme Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, brought a message of gratitude to all personnel from His Majesty, King George V.

The crew of Lt Albert Gumuslauskas was lost on this date.