The white streak, at the right, ending on a flak burst, was added later, and represents the danger brought by the German anti-aircraft artillery to the pilots (this device appeared only on replacement aircraft).
The 416th received the Distinguished Unit Citation for this mission; the group lost four planes, and all the other 32 aircraft received battle damage from flak bursts.
It continued the bomb run, however, and toggled its ordnance, but was further damaged by multiple flak bursts.
Losing someone from his own crew was ten times worse-as if a flak burst had torn through the side of his Lan- caster and slaughtered a bombardier.
He observed numerous flak bursts and watched the escorting Hawker Typhoon fighters attacking flak batteries as they approached the DZ.
When the smoke cut off, the tree became invisible until, much higher, there was a puff of white cloud like a flak burst.
However, Woody has concealed the fact he has been hit by shrapnel from a flak burst.
Some scientists at the time rationalized the sightings as an illusion probably caused by afterimages of dazzle caused by flak bursts, while others suggested St. Elmo's Fire as an explanation.
Above the target, no flak burst.
Black flak bursts spat in the air around the German.