About 30 enemy planes were seen, and a few were encountered. There were no claims. Flak at the target was intense, accurate and heavy. Crewmembers were surprised at the amount of flak coming from guns placed in open fields outside the city limits.

"SHACK HAPPY";

Delivered to Bruning 19 Oct. '43, assigned to Morton's crew. Demise: Downed 5/5/44 on Ploesti mission with Morton's crew aboard. 4 KIA, 6 POW. Tail #41; serial #42-07744. {Circumstances of Loss. "Today we went on a big one. The boys knew it was a 'double-credit' from the moment they walked into the briefing room for there was that long string leading straight to Ploesti." "Beginning at target area and continuing for period of about 12 minutes approximately 25 to 30 enemy aircraft attacked the formation." The agressive, frontal attacks wreaked havoc as the German fighters flashed through the 449th formation. While the 449th was rallying to the left coming off the target, ship #41 turned right, away from the formation, calling on the radio that the control cables were shot away by the flak over the target. "He was not out of control and was last seen in a big sweeping turn just south of the target." The copilot, bombardier, ball-turret, and waist gunner were killed in the ensuing action as the German fighters pounced on the crippled B-24. As ship #41 went down in flames, the remaining crew members bailed out.}

Nelson Clough JR