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Although the day called for overcast skies, it was back to Germany again with Pathfinders. The 2nd Air Division went to Saarbrucken to hit marshalling yards. The Group put up 23 planes, of which 2 had to abort.
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The 14th Wing led the 2nd Air Division with the 392nd BG and the Pathfinders in the lead formation. The 492nd flew on one side of them. The Group was led by Captain Smith, the pilot of Crew 906.
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The force to Germany had plenty of protection. Although this mission was in Germany, it was close to the French border on the Mosel River. According to reports, the Luftwaffe was nowhere in sight.
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Flak was moderate, but fairly accurate. The 492nd substained some damage to their Liberators, with 3 men wounded in action. The lead group, the 392nd, also had 5 of their planes damaged.
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Of the 21 ships attacking the target, 3 weren't able to do so. One of them had a gas leak in the bomb bay while the other two had engine problems. All planes were able to reurn to base.
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Since this was a Pathfinder-led mission, the results of the bombing could not be judged. After the Group dropped their bombs through the clouds where they were instructed, some of the crewmen of the 392nd said that they found openings in the clouds and could see that they had hit the railroad.
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This was the Group's second trip to Saarbrucken. The first time, they had lost 1 bomber and the 8th Air Force had lost 24. This time it was easier, or they were luckier, as they only had three of their men wounded. In fact, the whole 2nd Air Division was lucky, losing only one ship.
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Tomorrow's mission would be deep into central Germany. The Group wondered it their luck would continue.
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| Mission Data |
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42
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Date:
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28 Jun 44
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Saarbrucken, Germany
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Marshalling yard
for an aircraft facility
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Aircraft
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Bomb Load
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Tons:
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34
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Type:
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250 lb GPs
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Result:
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n/a
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Enemy Action
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Flak:
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Moderate
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GAF:
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None
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Counter Action
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Kills:
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0
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492 Casualties
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KIA:
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WIA:
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POW:
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INT:
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