Mission No. Three – August 4, 1944

“Wing and a Prayer”

Artwork by Len Krenzler. Used with permission.
Ever wonder what it was like to fly into a flak barrage? This artist’s rendition of an air raid over Frankfurt, Germany shows just how heavy the flak barrage could be. I found this image online while searching for a nice flak barrage photo and, while there are many out there from the War, this one caught my eye for 2 reasons: it is nice and the plane depicted is a Triangle K! This is “Little Lovely”, piloted by Robert Cardwell, 379th BG, 525th Squadron. You can read more about this image here.

Target: Peenermunde – V1 & V2 Experimental Station
Bomb Load: 5-1000# G.P.
Gas Load: 2700 gallons
Briefing: 0645
Plane: T9800 – Patches
Position: #3, #1 Element, Low Sqdn., 41st “B” Gp.
T.O.: 1019 Land: 1821 Time: 8 hours, 2 minutes
Left Base: 1024 @ 4000′
Bombs Away: 1448; 21100′; -16 degrees C.
Distance: 1383 SM

Remarks: Right tire blew out while taxiing out to take off. Was changed immediately. Took off late & joined formation along assembly course. Heavy but inaccurate flak over target. Minor damage. Learned value of goggles. Nose was filled with particals of flying plexiglass from two hits in nose. Very tiresome mission, but not too bad. Mostly over water.

[Note: This was the 379th Bomb Group’s 180th mission.]