Robert J. Weichhand Mission April 7, 1945

April 7,1945

#17

“WHERE CREDIT IS DUE”

We were to hit a bridge near Bresinone today. We briefed late, at 8:45 21th takeoff at 10:00. We carried 5-1000 lb’s. The ship was #88. But we never got to the target, as we had to turn back at 1:25 p.m. (Target time was to be at 2:35) We were at the 46th parallel - so we just got the credit for a mission. Weather was bad, and we had to let down through the soup. The reason for our early return - "abortion” - was that #3 was pouring out oil, and #1 lost the use of its turbo amplifier. We arrived back at the field at about 3:45 but the runway was being repaired - so the pilot decided to do a little buzzing. We buzzed the beach at about 100 ft. and an Ind. a speed of 240. Not bad for a heavy. We got credit and should, because the rest of the flight brought their bombs back. Couldn’t find the bridge We dumped ours into the Adriatic up near Fiume Harbor. They made a beautiful white splash in the blue water as they went off. We were at 15,000 (28 guns)