Memorial

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The target for the 457th on this date was manufacturing facilities about five miles west of Weimar, Germany which was believed to be making V-2 rocket bombs. A nearby barracks of the Geatapo was also a target. The group put up 36 planes. One plane, s/n 42-09755, left the formation and was not seen again. Over the target another plane, s/n 42-97571, was hit by flak and lost and four others were badly damaged. The target was clearly visible as the squadrons bombed in trail. The target was left a smoking, burning ruin. No fighers nor flak were encountered on the way home. The group lost two planes on this mission. This plane s/n 42-97571, piloted by Lt Winfred L. Pugh, was hit by flak over the target. It dove out of formation with wing afire, spiraled down, pulled up into a stall and the right wing and tail came off. The plane then went into a spin and exploded at about 10,000 feet.