Carl B. Yerian, Mission April 3, 1944

On April 3, 1944 I flew my first mission to Budapest, Hungary. There were 31 aircraft on this mission and it was necessary to fly very close formation for protection from enemy aircraft. The total mission required approximately ten hours of flying at altitudes above 20,000 feet and the use of an oxygen mask after climbing through 10,000 feet. We dropped 500 pound bombs on railroad tracks and an oil refinery. We only encountered 5 enemy aircraft but 25 planes had holes from anti aircraft fire. Upon the return to base each crew was debriefed and retired to the sack to fall apart.