| Sept 28,1944 Mission to Merseburg, Ger. #1 prop started running away when we got to altitude over Belgium, and we had just about 3 engines all the way. Fred Oltman was leading our group for his first lead. Just before the target he got a direct hit and blew in half. All I saw was the tail section pinwheel past us. Worst thing I have ever seen. Flak was very rough, Our Wing lost 3 ships, but one got to Liege and crew is safe. We had a B17 following us all the way out shooting at us. When we got to Belgium he turned back to Germany. Some say he was with us on the bomb run giving our altitude to the flak guns. Got a little drunk at the club tonight.-Robert J. Buettner |
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