On this mission, the 388th furnished two Groups, an A & B which wer lead and low of the 45thC Combat Wing. The 45th A CW was to lead the 3rd Air Division. The 45th and 13th CW's attacked the synthetic oil plant at Brux in western Czechoslovakia. The 4th CW attacked the aircraft plant at Zwichau. The 1st & 2nd Air Divisions were to attack oil refineries and aircraft plants in the Leipzig and Mersburg area. 20 A/C plus 2 PFF of the A Group took-off by 0826 hours and three of these aborted for mechanical reasons. 22 A/C of the B Group took-off by 0807 hours and four of these aborted for mechanical reasons. 1 A/C of the A Group returned as a scheduled abort.

Formations were effected without difficulty and the briefed course was followed to the Target. On the route to the Target, in the vicinity of Frankfurt (1225 hrs) the formation was attacked by about 75 enenmy a/c, FW 190's & Me 109's. This attack lasted for 35 minutes and one of our A/C was shot down. Lt. Loslo in a/c 42-31549, in the low squadron, went down at 1238 hours with #4 engine on fire. After the crew had bailed out, an Me 109 shot the plane down.

Visibility was perfect at the Target. The PFF A/C of the A Group had a malfunction on the bomb run, held his bombs, and decided to make a second run. Just as the formation was about to leave the Target area, the #3 ship in the second element of the lead squadron suffered a direct flak hit and cuased the bombardier to salvo the bombs. Consequently, the group leader decide not to make a second run and proceeded to the RP. The a/c in the formation who were still carrying bombs, dropped them on the PFF A/C in the vicinity of Hol on the return route. The B Group attacked the Target with excellent results. Hits wree seen on the main M.P.I. and surrounding buildings.

Meager flak was encountered at Koblez and Scheinfurt and very accurate flak in the Target area. Several ground rockets were seen in the Target area.

32 A/C landed safely at base by 1710 hours. Lt. Salles in a/c 42-107165 made an emergency landing at Manston. Lt. Mergenthaler in a/c 42-32030 made an emergency landing at Honington. All crew members are safe.