14th Mission

Target was the marshalling yard at Bingen, Germany.  Bombing was P.F.F.  Couldn’t see results.  If I’m not mistaken someone hit a jerry hospital.  Knocked hell out of it.  Carried 10 x 500 lb and 2 M-17’s [Incendiary bombs].  Flak was meager.  As far as we were concerned we couldn’t stay with the formation cause our #4 engine was practically no good.  Went over on 3 engines and came back with same.  (534 “Witch”) [Witchcraft]  We flew by ourselves.  6 hour mission, 4 ½ hours on oxygen.  8:35 to 3:15.  One plane was shot up and had to land in Fr. Or Bel. [France or Belgium]  They had wounded aboard.  Joe Kerchner was flying with that [crew].  Don’t know whether he got hit or not.  Had a hell of a time getting down.  Weather closed in with a ceiling of 1,000 ft.  Landed with 3 engines.  Lost #4 on our approach.  Started to burn.  Assembly was rough.  We had dense contrails.  Isn’t a wonder we didn’t hit someone.  Joe got back ok.  Left waist gunner got a piece of flak in [his] head.