461st BG (H), Mission 13, Bad Voslau Airdrome

Description: 23 April 1944

When the crew members learned at briefing that they were to attack their first target in the Vienna Area, they fully realized that they were now in the big time. Before our Group hit its target the 304th Wing had performed an outstanding job in practically demolishing the buildings at the Airdrome. Uncovering the three flights of each Section in approaching the target, the Group, led for the first time by Captain Dooley, completely sprayed the landing field with fragmentation bombs. The bombing pattern was one of perfection. The returning crews doubted if it would ever be necessary to return again to that target. Several encounters were had with twenty-three enemy fighters, two of which were claimed as probably destroyed. Fourteen planes over the target were hard hit by flak.

There were two casualties as a result of this mission: Bombardier, F/O R.B. Stewart, and a ball turret gunner, Sgt. P.N. Godino, both on 2nd Lt. G. Fulks’ crew. Each was hit in the foot by flak.

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