Date: 2 july 1944

MISSION #35

BASE: Castelluccio dei Sauri

TARGET: Budapest, Hungary--Rakos Marshalling Yard

SHIP: Jesse James …808

ESCORT: Thirty P-51’s (31st Fighter Group) flew high cover over the target area. Fourty P-38’s and P-47's met us after the bomb run to escort us back.

BOMBS: 10 x 500 lb. General Purpose from 21,500 feet.

ENEMY AIRCRAFT: Nine ME-109’s observed when approaching target area. Three FW-190’s observed over target.

FLAK: Moderate Volume, Inccurate Aim, Heavy Caliber

RESULT: Entire target area covered with bombs, destroying or severely damaging round houses, wagons and trackage of marshalling yards. Marshalling yard on fire as we left target area.

SORTIES: 2 Total: 51

MISSION TIME: 7:00 Total: 236:45

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NARRATIVE: I folded myself up into the ball turret and rode in the almost fetal position for the last time. I spent endless hours at the eye-straining sky watching that has been my main occupation--looking for the black specks of enemy fighters in the distance, but always hoping to not see them. We had a very good escort. Enemy aircraft did not attack our group. Not too rough, but I sweated it out more than usual being my last mission. FINITO! Sure glad it’s over.