Field Order # 225

Aircrews were initially briefed for the Robert Bosch Electrical Equipment works at Potsdam outside Berlin on 4 February only to have it scrubbed before take-off. On this date, an airfield at Cognac was struck and between 0400-0530 hours (28) aircrews were briefed. The 577th with Lt Colburn as lead Bombardier and 578th with Lt Joachim as Bombardier in the lead were assigned primary aiming points to hit a briefed target of Chateau Bernard airfield. At 0830 hours, (28) aircraft began takeoffs.

Weather over France prevented the primary target from being struck. Targets of Opportunity were hit instead with (19) aircraft bombing an airfield at Landes de Buddac with fair results and the remaining striking the Cognac airdrome with poor results. All aircraft bombed releasing a total of (336) 500 N GP weapons. Six (6) twin engine enemy fighters were encountered with no gunner claims. Flak was light but accurate.

A total of (16) aircraft were battle damaged; (12) by flak and (4) by enemy aircraft. One aircraft, N 489 'Q' for Queen and a veteran of the Gotha raid, was lost for causes unknown with 2nd Lieutenant C. J. Hunter's crew - all from the 577th Squadron. Aircrews arrived back over base around 1710.

This mission information was taken from "The Liberators from Wendling, the history of the 392nd Bomb Group", by Robert E. Vickers Jr. available through the 392nd BG Memorial Association.