The bridge Maison Laffitte, carrying rail lines directly into Paris from the northeast, was the target assigned to the group for the evening of May 27 by Wing Field Order 73-322. Thirty-seven aircraft were dispatched at 1907 hours on a course to Beachy Head, to Etretat, to the initial Point for the bombing run at 48 degrees North 01 degrees 36 minutes East to the target which was reached at 2046 hours. Twenty-three of the B-26's dropped forty-five 2000 pound General Purpose bombs on the bridge, six failing to identify the target until too late, five others releasing on a point mistaken for the primary target, two failing to attack due to mechanical troubles, and one hit by flak on the bomb run.

Of the six flights, only one received a "Good" rating from the first phase interpretation of the strike photos, which said "In a scattered pattern, bombs fell on and near the M.P.I., with hits on the centre of the bridge and on the buildings at the northeast bank of the river." Intense accurate heavy flak fire was encountered shortly after opening bomb bay doors, and it continued from seven to ten minutes.

Number three ship of the high flight, first box, was hit in the right engine over the target, the engine catching fire. The prop was feathered by the pilot, and the plane, while losing altitude gradually, was returning on single engine, when light flak fire from the vicinity of Louvieres caught it and it crashed soon after. Three chutes were seen.

In the meantime number five ship of low flight, first box, was hit over the target and was seen to crash in the vicinity of Averned, but six chutes were seen indicating that the entire crew escaped.

Twenty-five of the remaining ships suffered flak and battle damage, and four crewmembers were wounded.

Planes returned to base via Etretat and Beachy Head and landed at base 2230 hours.

2nd Lt Koehler's Chute was damaged by flak, and he bailed out with Sgt.Rider using one chute.

Woodrow W. Fry, 0748173, 2nd Lt, Air Corps, United States Army. For wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States on 27 May 1944, while serving as Pilot on a B-26 airplane on a combat operation mission over enemy occupied territory. Entered military service at Elmont, Long Island, New York. 2nd Lt Fry's plane for this mission was 42-95809, P2-O.

Capt Francis P Zimmer, 0-733249, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for participating on a mission as bombardier-navigator against enemy installations 27 May 1944. While on the bomb run the aircraft was severely damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Capt. Zimmer courageously remained at his post and dropped his bombs on the target with devastating effect. He then navigated the crippled aircraft back to base, carefully avoiding the heavy flak areas. Capt Zimmer's great determination and coolness under fire contributed in large measure to the successful completion of this mission and the safe return of his aircraft to base.

A Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded to Lt. Julian P. Alexander for outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot on an important enemy target on 27 May 1944. The aircraft was seriously damaged by anti-aircraft fire while on the bombing run, but Lt. Alexander held his plane in formation until the bombs were released on the objective. He piloted the crippled plane back to base and, despite extremely poor visibility, successfully landed the aircraft without injury to his crew or further damage to the plane.

Lt Alexander's plane for this mission was 42-95807, 4L-J, nicknamed "The Swoose."