MISSION NO. 55 OSCHERLEBEN, GERMANY 30 MAY, 1944 For this mission the 457th had to penetrate deep into Germany for the fourth successive day. The target was the FW 190 aircraft assembly plant. The entire Eighth Air Force sent aircraft to similar type facilities to emphasize the determined effort to eliminate fighter plane production in Germany. The Group provided eighteen ships for the high box of the 94th Combat Wing, fifth in the Division formation. Major William F. Smith was Air Commander, and Captain Clarence E. Schuchmann was pilot. Because of the concentration of bombers in the area, the 94th Combat Wing was forced to attempt a bomb run on a different heading. This change of plan, together with a faulty gyro, created problems causing a 360 degree turn to be made. Bomb results were poor for the lead box. While the Wing was rallying, about thirty Me-109s attacked the lead and low boxes and shot down two craft from other groups. Only one pass was made by the enemy fighters on ' the high box. Flak encountered was moderate and inaccurate, and there Was an absence of flak over the target area.

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