First Daylight Mission Over Berlin

MARCH 4, 1944 – 9 hours, 40 minutes

The first daylight raid over Berlin almost didn’t happen. Originally scheduled for March 3, the mission was scrubbed early on due to bad weather. The next day, the weather was equally dismal, but 500 planes from the 1st and 3rd Bombardment Divisions began forming up as ordered. While still assembling over England, the 1st Bombardment Division recalled their planes due to worsening weather. The 3rd Bombardment Division continued to assemble, crossing over to the Continent as clouds thickened.

To this day, there is a dispute about whether or not a valid recall was issued, but, in fact, all Division aircraft turned back except the 13th “A” Combat Wing—19 planes from the 95th , one Pathfinder aircraft, and 12 planes from the 100th . Despite anxious queries from other craft, the commanding officer of the Wing, Lt. Col. Grif Mumford, insisted that the tiny group of planes fly on. Pathfinder bombardier Marshall Thixton wrote, “On we flew, courageously, brave, and scared as hell.”

Miraculously, two P-51 fighter groups showed up as the force arrived in Berlin and saved the day—“just like the cavalry coming over the hill,” according to one man on the run. If they had not appeared, the small force of 32 planes could have been totally destroyed. As it was, the 95th lost four aircraft, with most of the men becoming POWs and four, killed in action. But—the force hit its target and Berlin was shocked to realize it was not safe in daylight or in darkness, when the RAF struck.

Upon returning to Horham, the men found 8th Air Force brass waiting for them. Instead of reprimanding the commander, as some feared, the VIPs awarded him the Silver Star; the lead pilot, Al Brown, the Distinguished Flying Cross; and the Group, its third Presidential Unit Citation. The 8th Air Force needed a big win at this point. If it could not have it in force with the originally planned strike of 500 aircraft, it would take what did result—one lone combat box bombing the biggest target of the War. It was a public relations triumph and a huge psychological blow to the enemy.

“By heroically electing the more hazardous of two equally acceptable and honorable courses of action, the 95 th Bombardment Group clearly distinguished itself above and beyond all other units participating in this momentous operation.”
From text of the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation