Mission 843

The target was a rail line southwest of Leipzig. Heavy flak was active throughout the area and one ship with ten men was lost to it. Their own aircraft came through without casualties, but a fuel check over the target told a different story. Flying A-Able, known as a gas hog, they were critically low. They left the formation and dove for lower altitude, where fuel consumption was better, and made for the continent. They put down in France at D-53 with 40 gallons remaining. The crew returned to base the following day.