401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 204, 6 Feb 1945, Giessen (T.O.) Eisfeld (T.O.) Germany. Briefing took place at 0415 hours. Aircraft loading was ten 500 pound GP's. During takeoff, one ship reported engine problems and was told to circle the field until called in. Another ship had a flat tire when in No. 3 in takeoff position. Within ten minutes the ship had been cleared from the runway, and takeoff proceeded. While the ship with engine trouble landed and the crew attempted to take off in a ground spare, they were unable to make the formation. One other aircraft was also forced to abort. Upon return fourteen ships were diverted to other airfields in England by bad weather, and two landed on the Continent. The 401st provided the three squadrons making up the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group plus another squadron which flew with the 94th CW Composite "B" Group. Because the clear weather expected over Germany didn't materialize, one secondary and 13 targets of opportunity were attacked instead. Since bombing was by PFF (radar), no results were observed. No enemy fighters were encountered, but meager and accurate flak was met in two different places and caused minor battle damage to five aircraft. With regard to the two aircraft that landed on the Continent, the Group History remarks, "a weekend in Paris maybe?". In fact, the crews returned immediately.