Kenneth DeLong Mission October 30, 1942

MISSION #22

DATE Thurs 10/29 & Fri 10/30

COMBAT FLYING HRS 8:45 (Total tour             214:00)

TARGET Melani Aerdrome, Crete HOME BASE Lydda, Palestine

BRIEFING 1330 TAKE OFF 2230 LANDING 0715 (10/30)

CREW Capt. T. D. Brown PLANE NO. 11 (new crew members: Nav. Lt. Schoonmaker, Bomb. Lt. Matheny, R.O. Sgt. Harley, Armorer Sgt. Barnes, and Tail Gunner Sgt. Carr).

BOMB LOAD 9-500 lb TARGET TIME Not shown BOMBING ALTITUDE 14000' NO. OF PLANES Not shown

BOMBING RESULTS--Lt. Matheny did good job--direct hits.

ENEMY ACTION--Over island for long time, flew through almost 2 hours of continuous anti-aircraft fire(most of the shells burst high above us). Capt. Brown wove through it unharmed. Bright moon, saw no night fighters.

OTHER REMARKS--#18 Black Mariah failed to return or call in. After futile search of the area by sea planes, it was listed missing in action.  The Pilot was Lt. Kidd, a favorite with all the air crews. His Radio Operator was Sgt. Venegas; the rest of the crew were new.