Late-April found the USS Waller at anchor in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Compared to the stress of warfighting and sailing the south Pacific, the crew while enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation. The evening of April 29, Radioman First Class Morris Anthony went to the movies to see “Bedtime Story.” “Bedtime Story” was a 1941 film starring Fredric March opposite Loretta Young. The film was what would now be considered a “romantic comedy.” [1]
The mission was supposed to have been cancelled at the last minute. The Germans had moved anti-aircraft guns from Budapest to Vienna because of the Russian advance in the East. But, Brigadier General George R. Acheson, the commander of the 55th Bomb Wing decided the mission to Vienna was worth the risks and losses. [1] The weather was poor, forcing the bombers to fly at 16,000 feet instead of the typical 22,000 – 24,000 feet altitude. [2]
The B-24 Liberators of the 780th Bombardment Squadron were in formation flying into the heavy flak. The B-24 flown by Lieutenant Richard C. Klug took a direct hit from flak, causing the bomb bay to burst into flame, members of the crew bailing out while the airplane disintegrated in the air. The formation continued on to the target. [3] The B-24 piloted by Lieutenant Everett Steiner dropped their bomb load. In his typewritten, confidential after action report, Lieutenant Steiner described the moments following the bomb run succinctly. “The formation had just dropped its bombs and we were losing altitude rapidly and taking evasive action to clear the flak area as quickly as possible. Our ship received a hit in the No. 2 engine, and, after extreme difficulty, we brought the ship under control.” [4]
The Things We Leave Behind 