XX-50487.Over American Assault Area.

For several weeks the group had been practicing low-level formation flying, sometimes as low as 100 feet. The preparations were for Montgomery's Rhine crossing. Allied Headquarters had kept the entire area blanketed in military smoke to conceal the buildup from aerial observation. The crew could see it from hundreds of miles away. When the day came, the aircraft was loaded with parachute-equipped supply canisters in the bomb bay and a basket of blankets hung in the ball turret well, suspended on a quick-release toggle. At briefing the crew picked up an additional member: the official 8th Air Force photographer. The mission called for a nine-ship company front formation at 75 feet, nine aircraft flying tip to tip, with the crew in the deputy lead position on the right wing of the squadron lead. The high right flight held some 200 feet above. They came up on the Rhine on a clear day to find a massive flotilla of landing craft ferrying tanks, trucks, and men across the river. Ahead, smoke and fires marked the drop area. Individuals on the ground were firing up at them. The gunners returned fire. The bomb bay malfunctioned. They circled and made a second pass, then a third, before the canisters finally pulled free. Below them, gliders and C-47s lay crashed and burning. Men hung dead in their harnesses. By the third run they were the only aircraft left over the area, and every German gun that could reach them was trying to. Small arms fire hit the aircraft. One ship was lost from the larger force. The photographer shot thirteen pictures that day. The pilot later saw six of them.