Lester L. Rowekamp, mission April 24, 1944

April 24, 1944             First mission by whole crew. We went to Ploesti, Romania Oil Refineries. Flak over target was very intense and accurate. Plane was badly damaged. Left main landing gear was shot out and left rudder was partially gone. Many flak holes in plane. On landing at base, pilot held plane up on right landing gear as long as possible. After losing speed, plane ground looped off left side of landing strip and wound up on left wing and nose. Nobody badly hurt, just well shook up. I think plane wound up as spare parts. We lost 1 plane and 6 others were damaged besides ours (What a way to start.) App. 8 hrs.      (2)