Mission 928

B-24M serial 44-50697, assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, departed Hardwick on 5 April 1945 on a bombing mission to Bayreuth. Eyewitness F/O John H. Van Zandt, flying as co-pilot in ship 157-L of the same squadron, observed the aircraft crossing the Dutch coast at approximately 400–600 feet altitude on the return leg. The aircraft was being engaged by 20mm and 40mm flak fire. The aircraft initiated a steep bank to the left, apparently attempting to evade the fire. Van Zandt's engineer, S/Sgt Ernest H. Fleming, reported that the plane completed a 180-degree turn and was observed inverted at the end of the maneuver. Last known position was 5130N 0330E at 1204 hours. Nine crew members were aboard; all were reported Missing in Action as of the date of the report, 9 April 1945.

Bayreuth. Formed over Charleroi in poor visibility; a B-24 spun in. Descended the Rhine River on the deck in Javelin formation; near Bonn/Cologne encountered barrage balloons in murk. McGuire threw ship into vertical bank right, then left, dodging balloons by reflex and luck. One or two ships lost in the incident. Hanf spotted the second balloon. Form 5: 2:10 CP, 4:10 P, 2:00 P-AI.

B-24M serial 44-50697, assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, departed Hardwick on 5 April 1945 on a bombing mission to Bayreuth. Eyewitness F/O John H. Van Zandt, flying as co-pilot in ship 157-L of the same squadron, observed the aircraft crossing the Dutch coast at approximately 400–600 feet altitude on the return leg. The aircraft was being engaged by 20mm and 40mm flak fire. The aircraft initiated a steep bank to the left, apparently attempting to evade the fire. Van Zandt's engineer, S/Sgt Ernest H. Fleming, reported that the plane completed a 180-degree turn and was observed inverted at the end of the maneuver. Last known position was 5130N 0330E at 1204 hours. Nine crew members were aboard; all were reported Missing in Action as of the date of the report, 9 April 1945.