401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 208, 15 Feb 1945, Dresden, Germany. The Group was briefed at 0400 hours. Aircraft loading was eighteen 250 pound G.P.'s and 2,780 gallons of gas. At 0705 several loud explosions were heard southeast of the field, and at 0750 Flying Control was advised that two aircraft from Chelveston had crashed into a living site in that town. Ambulances, crash crews and M.P.'s were rushed from Deenethorpe to the scene of the crash. All 401st operational aircraft were airborne by 0805 hours. After takeoff one ship reported No 4 engine out and No. 1 engine missing and was able to land at Cottesmore. Four other ships also returned early and were also diverted to other airfields because of low visibility at Deenthorpe. This was a repeat of the previous day's mission, to interdict railroad facilities critical to the German army retreating before the Russian advance. On this mission, the 401st provided three squadrons making up the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group. Because of a complete undercast, bombing was conducted by PFF (radar) technique, with unobaserved results. There was no enemy air opposition, and no flak over the target. Meager and inaccurate flak was encountered en route at Frankfurt and Brux, but no 401st ship sustained battle damage. By 1700 hours, 34 operational aircraft had landed at Deenthorpe upon returning from the mission despite a ceiling of only 400 feet and visibility of 3,000 yards. Three others landed at other bases.