Mission 261

HEADQUARTERS 47TH WING APO 520

CONSOLIDATED MISSION REPORT NO. 261. Period ending 2400 hours 20 Aug 1944.

 

GENERAL: 94 B-24's of 98, 376, 449, and 450th Bomb Groups attacked SZOLNOK M/Y, dropping 237.5 tons of 500 lb GP bombs with good to excellent results. 6 B-24's of the 450th Bomb Group attacked SZEGED M/Y with 14 tons of bombs but most hit in middle of city.

1. 98TH BOMB GROUP. At 0603 hours, 28 B-24's took off to bomb SZOLNOK M/Y. 2 returned early. 26 over target at 0948 hours at 21,300 - 23,000', 25 dropped 59 tons of 500 lb. GP bombs with .1 and .01 and .025 fusing, 1 other returned bombs to base. 26 returned at 1228 hours. ROUTE: As briefed. RESULTS: Excellent. Good concentration on aiming point; some direct. Many oil fires in M/Y. Dropped 115 pkts of leaflets. E/A: None. FLAK: SIH at target. PHOTOS: 8 a/c attempted. OBSERVATIONS: At 0735 hours, 16,000', 42 40 N - 17 00 E, oil slick in west part of Lake; harbor, possibly boats, may have been coming toward us. At 1000 hours, 22,000', SZEGED, 46 06 N - 19 40 E, 1 B-24 seen to blow up.
2. 376TH BOMB GROUP. At 0550 hours, 28 B-24's took off to bomb SZOLNOK M/Y. 1 returned early. 27 over target at 0944 hours, 20,500 - 22,500', dropping 66.5 tons of AESF bombs with .1 and .01 tail delay fusing. The early return was prior to bombing; this a/c brought back 2.5 tons to base. 27 returned at 1210. ROUTE: As briefed. RESULTS: Visual bombing. Results good. Main concentration at aiming point. Fires on South side of M/Y, probably oil, also on NE end of M/Y. E/A: None. FLAK: SIH at target PHOTOS: 8 a/c attempted. OBSERVATIONS: At 1005 hours, 18,500', observed 400 - 500 cars in M/Y at SUBOTICA. At 1017 hours, 17,800', six (6) large camouflaged bldgs seen at 45 22 N, 19 33 E. At 1111 hours, 12,000', (previously) crashed B-24 observed at 42 48 N, 1 27 E.
3. 449TH BOMB GROUP. At 0550 hours, 25 B-24's took off to bomb SZOLNOK M/Y. None returned early. 25 over target at 0942 hours, 20,000 - 21,000', 22 dropping on target 52 tons of 500 lb. GP bombs with .1 and .01 fusing. 3 other jettisoned 7.5 tons. 25 returned to base at 1220 hours. ROUTE: As briefed. RESULTS: Target well hit, with more than 1,000 cars in M/Y. Several large fires with explosives and black smoke. E/A: None. FLAK: SIH at target. At least 12 flak guns in M/Y, some hit by bombing. PHOTOS: 7 a/c attempted. OBSERVATIONS: At 1005 hours, 20,000', 2 M/Y's at SUBOTICA, one north and one south with over 1,000 cars in each.
4. 450TH BOMB GROUP. At 0558 hours, 28 B-24's took off to bomb SZOLNOK M/Y. 2 returned early. 26 over target at 0945 hours, 21,000 - 22,200', 20 dropping on target 50 tons of 500 lb. GP bombs with .1 and .01 fusing. 6 other dropped 14 tons on second alternate SZEGED M/Y at 1150 hour from 20. - 22,000'. 26 returned at 1225 hours. ROUTE: As briefed except for slight change to hit alternate on return. RESULTS: Szolnok: 1st box, 1st attack unit: 18 1,500' to right of briefed IP 1,500' to right of briefed IP well hit, no lead bombardier chose wide open space needing treatment. 2nd box, 1st attack unit: Forced off course by 376 BG on bomb run and off to 2nd alternate. No pictures. Bombs in center of city. 2nd attack unit: Hit E/W; dropped into smoke; believed fairly good concentration. E/A: None. FLAK: IAH at target. Six (6) guns at SZOLNOK. Single burst at PLEVLJE 46 43 50 09 E. PHOTOS: 7 a/c attempted. OBSERVATIONS: At 0827, 20,000', target area, B-24 of following group down in flames. No chutes. At 0940, 21,000', approx 40 E/W a/c on VECSES A/D.
5. WEATHER: Target: CAPU with ground haze.
6. TIME TABULATION: TIME DOWN FLASH MISSION 98th 1228 1257 (29') 1345 (1 hr, 17') 376th 1210 1249 (39') 1334 (1 hr, 24') 449th 1220 1312 (52') 1345 (1 hr, 25') 450th 1225 1252 (27') 1335 (1 hr, 20')
    

THOMAS, A-2.

 

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