Kenneth DeLong Mission July 8, 1942

***MISSION 7

Tues. 7/7-Thurs. 7/9 HOME BASE. Lydda, Palestine

TARGET Benghazi Harbor, Libya (convoy)

COMBAT HRS. (this mission) 13:30 total tour 67:35

BRIEFING 1200 (7/8) TAKE OFF 1720 (7/7) LANDING 1840 (7/7-Fayid)

                                 TAKE OFF 1555 (7/8) LANDING 0220 (7/9 at Heliopolis)

                                 TAKE OFF 0620 (7/9) LANDING 0645 (7/9 at Fayid)

                                 TAKE OFF 0900(7/9) LANDING 1020(7/9 at Lydda)

CREW Lt. T. D. Brown PLANE NO. 17

BOMB LOAD 6-1000 lb. TARGET TIME SUNSET BOMBING ALT. 23000'

NO. of PLANES 6 of our B-24's

BOMBING RESULTS Saw bombs hit in harbor area near ships.

ENEMY ACTION Anti-aircraft fire was very heavy. Shrapnel hit upper turret and bomb bay doors. No fighter aircraft were seen.

OTHER REMARKS After leaving the target area, we flew back--mostly over water ... had difficulty locating Fayid ... running low on fuel ... requested permission to land at Heliopolis on sand runway ... RAF personnel were very hospitable ... took off for Fayid at daylight ... it was a weary crew that finally reached Lydda at 1020 ... only to be told the shocking news that #4 "Ole Rock" had been seen to go down in flames over the target ... Group History says 4 ME-l09's attacked the formation before reaching the target. We lost one B-24 and 2 fighters were shot down. I show nothing about a fighter attack but we agree about the lost crew: 1st Lt. K. W. Butler (Pilot) and Lt's. Kyser and Hiatt, Sgt's. Cwikiel.and Blair and Corporals Thompson and Bedrosian---good buddies from HALPRO “B" Flight, crew #10.