I remember that after we landed back at Great Ashfield, formations were still in the air coming home. As they flew over they turned on their landing lights. It was Christmas Eve...

My memory of Christmas Day is that we were briefed for a target in the area of the Bulge. But Great Ashfield was absolutely "socked in" that day. We went through the routine and even taxied out for take off trusting that visibility conditions would improve. When take off time came, things were absolutely ceiling and visibility ZERO. The Colonel wanted to get this one off so badly, that he had the mission leader taxi down the runway to report on visibility conditions. The leader reported zero-zero and recommended against Take Off. The Colonel then ordered the deputy leader to also taxi the runway and report back. He also reported zero-zero and recommended against take off. The mission was then scrubbed for the 385th that day. This shows one how desperately they wanted that mission to get off.

On 12/27/44 the weather has hardly improved. We are briefed for Andernach. Pilot says he has considerable trouble taking off He's totally on instruments during take off. Take off accidents take a heavy toll. 33 killed in take off accidents this day. Flak at target is meager, no holes. Visual bombing. #43-38118 Miss Fortune.

We go to Andenach again on 12/28/44. We are briefed for Coblentz but bomb Andernach as last resort target. We fly this mission in Ruby's Raiders #44-6483. They had a contest for the "Most Beautiful WAAC in the E.T.O." This was won by Ruby Newell of Long Beach. As one of her rewards they named a bomber after her. Corporal Ploss, the great nose artist for the 385th did a remarkable likeness of Ruby on the nose of #483. Pictures were taken and it was carried in Stars and Stripes...We will fly her again. Jerry says we did a 360 over target. No flak (PFF). Jerry says couldn't keep up with formation...

Mannheim today 12/30/44. Medium flak but inaccurate (PFF). Thank God for chaff. We were the tail end of the Eighth today. Nine hour mission...Miss Fortune #43-38118.

Kaiserslautern 1/5/45. Flak moderate but accurate in target area. Our B-17 very old and in poor condition. Plexi cover-plate of chin turret missing and terrific blast of icy air accordingly passed through the nose affecting Bombardier and Navigator. Outside temp -minus 52 below. Bombing altitude 29,000. Six hours on oxygen. Our bomb release mechanism failed completely. We are obliged to carry a full load home. Feared dropping them because of proximity to our lines. Shortly before I.P. Ball Gunner lost consciousness due to anoxia. Waist gunner also became anoxic trying to assist Ball Gunner. Radio Operator and Tail Gunner combined effort to bring these men around. Ralph came around rather quickly but Al Boltz took over an hour to revive. We thought he was gone. We got him around OK but it was close. Used up most of our O2 in revival efforts, so had to leave formation and come home alone at lower altitude. I was concerned for Al's hand. His glove was off and his hand felt frozen. Put it back in heated glove and hoped for the best. Hand turned out OK Hank Brier got hit today but is OK Many planes landed at emergency fields in France. We returned to Great Ashfield with gauges indicating between Empty and 50 Gallons. #42-32078 Barbara B.