| MISSION DATA: | |||
| DATE | 384th BG Mission # | 8th AF Mission # | 384th PRIMARY TARGET |
| 1944‑04‑24 | 94 | 315 | Target: Dornier-Werke GMBH Aircraft Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany |
| Aircraft Factory Demolished: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) led the 41st B Combat Bombardment Wing, and provided the majority of the high composite group of that wing, on today's mission. The objective was the factory in which the Do 335 Multipurpose Fighter was being built. This innovative aircraft was seen as a substantial threat to Allied fighter and bomber forces, and no effort was spared to cripple its production. In addition, new bombing formations were being tried for the first time, which made the mission even more hazardous. Regardless of the risk and challenges faced by aircrews, the mission was successful, crippling Do 335 production. For its part on this mission, the 384th was awarded its second Distinguished Unit Citation. | |||
| SORTIE DATA: | ||
| COMBAT CREDIT | STATUS | TARGET ATTACKED (MODE) |
| Yes |
Completed Mission Comments: Landed away at RAF Manston, Kent, on return due to crew casualties and battle damage. This aircraft had two killed and four wounded aboard. 2nd Lt. Charles Gowder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. S/Sgt. James E. Williamson, tail gunner, was awarded the Silver Star. |
Primary (Visual) |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | ||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17G | 42‑107058 ⇗ | 546th | BK*C | WHITE ANGEL |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Gowder, Charles Fred⇗ | 546 | Wounded |
| Co-pilot | Thompson, Willard H⇗ | 546 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Fazio, Vincent Joseph⇗ | 546 | KIA |
| Bombardier | Brooks, James Joseph⇗ | 546 | Seriously Wounded |
| Radio Operator | Barnes, Francis Eugene⇗ | 546 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Beaugh, George (NMI)⇗ | 546 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Ball Turret | Sacco, Salvatore R⇗ | 546 | Wounded |
| Tail Gunner | Williamson, James Edward⇗ | 546 | Wounded |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Higgins, Robert Stephen⇗ | 546 | KIA |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Leber, Richard Edward⇗ | 546 | Completed, Uninjured |