After the 41st Combat Wing had formed, heavy cloud cover over France prevented positive identification of targets. The formations returned without bombing, in accordance with VIII Bomber Command policy of no indiscriminate bombing of targets in German-occupied countries.

All flak experienced was meager and inaccurate. No battle damage was sustained. One to four enemy aircraft were reported, with no attacks on the 303rd BG(H) formation.

Excessive prop wash was encountered due to the converging of the Combat Wing and steep and unnecessary turns by the Combat Wing leader.

More info on this mission at the 303BG website

23 aircraft assigned to this mission: Completed Mission - 20. Aborted - 1. Spare, Returned As Briefed - 2.

Three a/c of the "A" Group aborted as follows: F/O Bianchi, returned to base at 1040 hours because the gas cap was off his #3 engine; Lt. Swift, returned to base at 1230 hours when he lost power in #2 engine, and Lt. Hughes, turned back off the French Coast when valves on the Tokyo tanks stuck and landed at base at 1230 hours.

Two a/c of the "B" Group aborted as follows: Lt. Rubottom, when #2 supercharger went out and landed at 1200 hours and Lt. Hennessy, turned back at 1034 hours when the oxygen supply on the Pilots side cut out.

The remaining 43 a/c proceeded to the Target, except after crossing the Coast on the way out into the Bay of Biscay near Coudre, the formation was south of the briefed course so the formation made four wide circles into the Bay of Biscay and headed for the IP and Target. The Target was cloud covered and the bombs could not be dropped. The formation then headed for Cognac Airfield, the secondary Target, which was also cloud covered and bombs could not be dropped. At this point 18 a/c jettisoned their bombs because of gas shortage. One a/c jettisoned its bombs when a 20mm shell set its incendiaries on fire.

Flak encountered was meager except in the Target area where it increased in intensity. About a dozen enemy a/c were encountered in the Target area with most attacks out of the sun, but none of these attacks were pressed home.

Lt. Todd, in a/c 42-30837 "Ole Bassar" left the formation north of the Target with #1 Engine feathered and was shot down by FW 190's.

S/Sgt. Harvey Norton, Ball-gunner on Lt. Kempton's crew was very seriously wounded by a 30 caliber bullet.

After the bomb run when this a/c was attacked by fighters, Sgt. Norton was very severely wounded. Though suffering extreme pain, he remained by his guns, fighting off the vicious assaults until the last plane had been driven off. Only then was he helped from his turret to receive emergency first-aid treatment. Sgt. Norton received the Silver Star for gallantry in action.

Lt. Moyer in a/c #350, returned with a crippled plane and the entire crew bailed-out over England safely. Lt. Joho landed at Bevingdon because of gas shortage.