The story of our crew is rather simple. We lost our superchargers on the bomb run (Target: Berlin, 21 June 44) and immediately salvoed our bombs as we were losing altitude rapidly. Just as we released our bombs we took a hit in our (over the) bomb bay (tanks) and fuel began pouring out. Dick (Ford) was able to slow the leaks somewhat and transfer fuel to the (outer) wing tanks.


Group Lead gave us coordinates for Malmo, Sweden. We went in on a sod field with the fuel gauges on empty. Swedish fighters made us come in high over tall buildings rather than let us land from the opposite direction. Ed (Rudowski) had to brake hard at touch down and this collapsed the nose wheel which caused considerable damage to the nose (of the plane).

The Swedes kept us until November (44), then let us go. We were flown out from Stockholm in stripped down B-24s, painted black without insignia. As I recall. Ford and other engineers had to remain behind to repair the downed planes so they could be flown out when the war was over.