Today was my first experience at flying through clouds so dense that we were forced to turn back when approximately half way to our intended target, an air craft factory near Brunswick, Germany. Cirrus clouds up to 23,000 feet so frustrated our navigation that the mission was recalled. Some groups encountered stiff enemy air craft opposition but the 44^th Bomb Group saw none nor did we have any flak damage. Our group of 14 planes, with Colonel John H. Gibson in command, led the 14^th Combat Wing which led the 2^nd Air Division. Not one of 231 B-24's reached the target but 40 of 360 B-17's did bomb.

The 8^th Air Force lost no planes but 16 were damaged with 2 air men killed and one wounded. All tolled, this was a frustrating day. There was much confusion and the day seemed to me that we were in a dream world. The clouds were everywhere, we could not find an opening. The planes in our squadron weaved back and forth due to turbulence but there was a certain beauty due to the very dense contrails. We were credited with a sortie being that we did penetrate enemy territory for a considerable length of time. I was glad to get home after 4 hours and 45 minutes in the air.