In the Black Cat's Shadow

摘要

At just after 10:30 a.m. on Apr. 21, 1945, a formation of 137 American heavy bombers―giant B-24 Liberators―was on its way to a target deep inside Nazi Germany. The war was in its final days, and there were no more strategic targets left for the heavy bombers. Still, Eisenhower was convinced that Hitler was preparing one last-ditch stand in the Bavarian Alps and was funneling troops and materiel into this Alpine Redoubt. So the target for this day was a railroad bridge in Salzburg, a key transportation link. But the weather ship, flying in advance of the formation, discovered a towering weather front over the target and advised abandoning the mission. The Command Pilot, riding in the lead ship, agreed and aborted the mission, ordering a return to base in England.