401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 205, 9 Feb 1945, Lutzkendorf (Primary) Eisenach (T.O.) Germany. The Group was briefed at 0530 hours. Aircraft loading was ten 500 pound GP's and 2,780 gallons of gas. One aircraft, on takeoff, could not unlock its tailwheel u and went off the runway, necessitating a change from Runway 23 to Runway 28. All aircraft were airborne by 0945 hours. Gale warnings were received at 1340 hours, with winds of 50 miles per hour. By 1755 hours, all operational aircraft had returned except three which landed at other bases in England or on the Continent. The 401st provided the three squadrons making up the 94th Combat Wing "C" Group on this mission. The target was covered by 8/10's to 10/10th's clouds, but the Lead and Low Squadrons bombed through breaks in the clouds. While the Lead Squadron's photos were obscured by clouds, photos indicated that the Low Squadron's bombs landed in the area of the assigned MPI. The High Squadron was unable to pick up the target but made an excellent PFF (radar) run on a target of last resort, with only partially observed results. No enemy air opposition was encountered by the bomber force, although Allied fighters downed 24 German aircraft. Flak was meager to moderate and resulted in minor damage to seven aircraft. One ship (44-6113) piloted by Lt. Richard R. Scheller, forced landed on the Continent and was abandoned.