B-24 "My Peach" Serial 42-100415 encountered little to no Flak up to the point of the target area [Primary target for the Squadron: the airfield at La Perthe, NE of the other target for the Group, the airfield at Romilly-sur-Seine.]



Engineer Frank Schaeffer recalled that: "While on the bomb run, with the bomb bay doors open, the #2 engine began to speed up and the synchronizing switch would not slow it down. We had a runaway prop that was turning over at 4500 RPMs. Our Co-Pilot [2nd Lt Winfield S. Gippert] operated the feathering button and closed the throttles, but the propeller would not feather."



Despite Schaeffer's turning off the fuel selector valve and booster pump switch to that failing engine, it continued to run wild and the oIl pressure went to zero. The engine continued to howl and shake violently and Schaeffer was afraid the propeller would come off and fly right through the fuselage.



By that time, the plane had reached its target and the Bombardier, 2nd Lt Charles H. Lain had released the bombs. On the return flight, the B-17 was ultimately put on automatic pilot before all 10 crew members left the burning plane and landed in France.



Eight crew mem managed to evade, helped by French patriots : the Pilot, 2nd Lt Bernard J. Komasinski; the Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Winfield S. Gippert; the Navigator, 2nd Lt Edgar W. Michaels; the Bombardier, 2nd Lt Charles H. Lain; the Engineer/Top Turret Gunner S/Sgt Frank N. Schaeffer; the Right Waist Gunner, Sgt Nelson E. Brott; the Left Waist Gunner, Sgt Walter E. Bohenko and the Tail Gunner, Sgt Stanley J. Hulewicz Jr.



Two were made Prisoner of War (POW) : the Radio Operator, Sgt John H. McKee and the Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Coley W. Richardson (who was a substitute for the Komasinski crew that day). Missing Air Crew Report : MACR 8080.