Mission: #53 Field Order: #236 Target: Friedrichshafen, 18, March 1944

The mission this day would see the 392nd suffer its heaviest losses, both aircraft and aircrew members, of any individual raid ever flown during its combat experience in World War II. Before the mission was completed, fifteen aircraft and crews would be lost and 9 other ships damaged by fighters and flak, all totaling 154 casualties. The mission lasted 8 hours and 45 minutes bringing to a close the most tragic effort ever mounted by the 392nd.

Click here to read Col. Keilman, first hand account of this mission.