Another successful mission gents.
402nd and 485th had instructions to search for and engage any enemy aircraft in their respective sectors - 402nd in the vicinity of Düren, 485th above the front lines near Meijel.
Anticipating a lukewarm reception from our Luftwaffe adversary again, both squadrons elected to carry bombs should some ground targets make themselves apparent towards the end of the patrols, and again this decision paid off.
402nd found a number of airfields in their area of operations and set to with a will destroying AAA, trucks and parked aircraft across 3 separate airfields. The result? A grand total of 31 enemy ground targets destroyed, including 13 e/a on the ground with 2nd Lt Fenton Rea claiming a remarkable 6 Fw 190s alone. If they won't come up to fight, eh gents...?!
This is a record haul of ground targets destroyed for the Group in single mission so damn fine work 402nd, keep it up!
After a quiet air patrol the 485th again found targets to attack around the front lines ahead of the push by our ground forces in the Wassenberg area. Setting to with their usual fervor, the 485th accounted for 23 AAA and artillery pieces and once again earned the appreciation of our soldiers. Another excellent performance 485th and just what we've come to expect from you hard charging bastards.
We were not without loss however; 2nd Lt. Dennis McFly of the 402nd hit the ground whilst attacking the airfield at Strassfeld.
2nd Lt. Sidney Gittens of the 485th had a close call with the flak and took damage and Maj. Payne-Less endulged his horticultural persuasions by collecting a tree during one of his strafing runs; but we are glad to say that they each made it back to force land at friendly airfields near the front.
The Met boys say that the weather looks good for tomorrow, the 28th October, so keep the partying low-key 'cos you'll need clear heads for the morning.... [to be flown on Sunday October 4th 2020]
The Squadron logs: