General Robert Cardenas (1920-2022). Flew B-29 Bombing Missions Over Germany, Later Helped Break Sound

General Robert Cardenas (1920-2022). March 18, Captain Cardenas was flying as Command Pilot for the 44th Bomb Group on his 20th mission. His airplane, the B-24 "Sack Artists" was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire. His attack run was supposed to target the Manzell Air Armaments factory in Friedrichshafen, Württemberg, Germany. However, the right wing was severely damaged by a shell and two engines were set on fire. According to his report relayed to the War Department, his number 2 engine was "hit by flak [and] on fire," causing the loss of 3,000 ft. altitude. Despite this damage he "Rejoined formation for [a] second [bomb] run." After this pass his "[numbers] 2 and 4 [engines were] on fire," and "[number] 3 [was] vibrating badly" in addition to "gas leaks," damage to bomb bays, wings, and electrical systems, and "hydraulics inoperative." Several members of the crew were also wounded, including Cardenas, who received a head injury when a piece of flak pierced his helmet. Since the plane was severely damaged and losing stability, 1st Lieutenant Raymond J. Lacombe decided to pilot the plane to Switzerland. Cardenas' crew all parachuted safely. The bomber then exploded at a low altitude and shore off the tops of several trees. Capt. Cardenas landed on the German side of Lake Constance. He swam across the lake to the Swiss side in order to evade capture. He was first interned at a camp for American officers at Adelboden, and was later assigned to teach Swiss officers how to fly interned American bombers at Dübendorf Airfield near Zurich. On September 27, 1944, Cardenas escaped into France with the help of Swiss civilians and the French resistance. He was flown to Britain and then sent back to the United States to recover from his head injury. In November 1944, he attended Central Instructors School for the B-24 at Smyrna Army Airfield, Tennessee. After graduation, he became a test pilot and was then assigned to Wright Field, Ohio. While at Wright Field, he attended Experimental Flight Test School and later became assistant chief of Bomber Section, and chief of Bomber Operations Section, Flight Test Division. Helped break the sound barrier.

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Notes: As received from General Cardenas, see photos.

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