This aircraft was hit by six busts of flak while pulling away from the target, German Aquina gun batteries on the hill above the Casino line. The mission was in support of an allied assault on 16 March 1944. The aircraft crashed into the ground with its right wing on fire, but not before seven chutes were seen exiting the stricken aircraft. Pilot was 2nd Lt. Francis B. Hendrix. Among the crew was the group operations officer, Capt. Rucker (MACR 3219)
 

Donor: 320th B.G. Reunion Assoc. Archives
(Jules Penka)

File No.: A0176