Jul-06: With no opposition in the air, the 78th launched a "Bodenplatte" style mission on an enemy airfield. In route a lone P-38 harassed the group, neither side could get an advantage and the P-38 was eventually driven off. With the Lightning gone the group attacked the airfield, taking out several targets on the field. Hawkeye was hit by flak and about 10 miles out his engine gave out. He made a successful crash landing but when Trukk tried to land to pick him up, he clipped a building and crashed himself. With two pilots down, Maj rescued Hawkeye and once they RTB'd, a second mission was launched. Hawkeye and Maj were able to sneak in, pickup Trukk and run home avoiding an enemy force that was looking for them. For more mission details see the
War Diary.
