For this mission to the area around Paris, France, the 457th put up a maximum effort of 57 aircraft. The target for the 457th was airfields and supporting facilities. The Germans put up some three hundred fighters in this region on this date. The weather was CAVU and the flack was heavy and very accurate. For reasons unknown the bombs were not dropped on the first pass and the group proceeded to do a 360 turn to make another pass. During this turn the group was attacked by about 15 German fighters that passed through the three boxes that were in trail. Bomb results were poor. Five planes were badly hit and were lost.....the worst mission yet for the 457th. For gallantry in action on this mission, Major Syptak and Sgt Birchen each recieved the Silver Star. The crews lost were 42-97579 (Allen), 42-97062 (Johnson), 42-31568 (Rogers), 42-102464 (Blackwell), and 42-31618 (La Paze).

Plane s/n 42-97062, flown by Lt Malcom Johnson with Lt Col Cobb flying copilot, was shot down on this mission to Le Brouget/Melun, France. The plane took a direct hit over the target and pulled up through the high squadron, spun down out of control and then exploded near Champdeuil, Fr. Five of the crew were killed and five became POW's, and one evaded. The copilot on this mission was the Wing Commander, Lt Col Cobb.