401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 190, 3 Jan 1945, Hermulheim, Germany. Briefing took place at 0430 hours, and all 39 aircraft were off by 0822 "Good take off!" One ship landed with No. 1 engine out and the crew shifted to a ground spare, taking off at 0910 hours. However, the crew could not find the formation and were forced to return early. One spare also returned early and another ship aborted because of engine failure. This mission was intended to disrupt German supplies to its troops, still engaging Allied forces in the Battle of the Bulge. The three squadrons of the 401st made up the 94th Combat Wing "A" Group. Bombing was conducted in Group formation using the Gee-H (radio beam) technique. Solid undercast prevented assessment of results. Meager but inaccurate flak was encountered over the Cologne area, but no enemy aircraft were sighted. The Group suffered no battle damage or casualties.