Target: Communications Center at Aldenhoven, Germany
Time Of Take-Off: 10:04 / Time Over Target: 11:21 / Time Landed: 14:15
36 B-26 aircraft loaded with 4x1000LB General Purpose bombs were dispatched to attack an enemy Communications Center at Aldenhoven, Germany. As there is no Field Order in the mission records, details of fighter escort and/or cover is unavailable.
Weather conditions were 2 to 3/10 low clouds with light haze over the target area.
No FLAK was encountered enroute, but the formation experienced Heavy, Moderate to Intense, Accurate FLAK over the target area. Each flight made 2 bomb runs over the target with 23 aircraft sustaining battle damage.
Cpl. James J. Mallen, White's waist gunner in a/c 810-C, was slightly wounded by flak. Capt. Kenneth W. Mitchell, pilot of a/c 576-V and his bombardier, Capt. Ross H. Buk, were both slightly wounded by flying glass caused by FLAK. Capt. Herschel S. Harkins, pilot of a/c 837-N; and 1/Lt. Don W. Allen, bombardier in a/c 820 were also slightly wounded by flak. S/Sgt. Lloyd A. Ernsting, flight engineer of a/c 309-G, was slightly wounded by flak in his cheek. Sgt. Carl M. Zayonc, Walter's engineer/gunner in a/c 747-T, was seriously wounded.
A pattern of bombs from the 1st flight of the 1st box fell about 800 feet E of DMPI in open fields. The lead bombardier of the 2nd flight was unable to pick up primary due to haze. The flight bombed the town of Julich about 3 miles ENE of primary. A dispersed pattern of bombs is seen across residential areas in center of town with hits on two roadways and one large building. A pattern of bombs from the 3rd flight of the 1st box fell about 700 feet ENE of DMPI with probable hits on two buildings. Results were rated as FAIR for the 1st and 3rd flights respectively.
A dispersed pattern of bombs from the 1st flight of the 2nd box fell about 1,500 feet N of DMPI across one roadway and in open fields. A dispersed pattern of bombs from the 2nd flight fell about 200 feet NE of DMPI across two roadways with hits on several buildings. The lead bombardier of the 3rd flight was unable to pick up primary due to haze. Flight bombed town of Julich about 3 miles ENE of primary. Dispersed pattern fell in central part of town across one roadway with hits on at least 6 buildings. Results were assessed as POOR and EXCELLENT for the 1st and 2nd flights respectively.
The hydraulic system of a/c 841-A was shot out and Shoemaker and crew made a belly-landing. The aircraft was later repaired.