15th Army Air Forces; WWII
15th Army Air Forces; WWII

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Mission 264

HEADQUARTERS 47TH WING APO 520

CONSOLIDATED MISSION REPORT NO. 264. Period ending 2400 hours 24 Aug 1944.

GENERAL: 49 B-24's of the 376th and 449th Groups dropped 133.5 tons of 1,000 lb. bombs on SZOLNOK RR Bridge. 52 B-24's of the 98th and 450th Groups dropped 125.25 tons of 500 lb. bombs on VINKOVCI M/Y. Excellent results were obtained at both targets.

  1. 98TH BOMB GROUP. At 0555 hours, 27 B-24's took off to bomb VINKOVCI M/Y. 1 returned early. 26 over target at 1037 hours, at 17,350 - 20,500', 24 dropping 58.25 tons of 500 lb. GP bombs with .1 and .01 fusing. 1 jettisoned, and 1 returned bombs to base. 26 returned at 1223 hours. ROUTE: As briefed. RESULTS: Excellent. Pinpoint covered; good pattern. Several fires & explosions. E/A: 2 seen, possibly Me-109's, 1115 hours, 16,000', at 43 10 N, 18 20 E. FLAK: SIH at KALACSA, 46 30 N, 19 00 E. IAH at SARAJEVO. PHOTOS: 8 a/c attempted. OBSERVATIONS: Submarine sighted at 1155 hours, 10,000', 40 55 N, 18 15 E, 30 to 40 miles N of BRINDISI, heading SE. Saw wake and several minutes later 3 chaser bombed after it. A/C heading 195°. 84 pkts's of R-544 leaflets dropped near KAPUSVAR, 46 35 N, 17 48 E.
  2. 376TH BOMB GROUP. At 0600 hours, 28 B-24's took off to bomb SZOLNOK RR Bridge. None returned early. 28 over target at 1030 hours, at 19,800 - 20,100', dropping on target 81 tons of 1,000 lb AESF bombs with .1 fusing. 28 returned at 1226 hours. ROUTE: As briefed. RESULTS: Several direct hits and some near misses, with greatest concentration on west half of bridge. Large explosions and fires on west approaches of bridge. PHOTOS: 8 a/c attempted.
  3. 449TH BOMB GROUP. At 0606 hours, 28 B-24's took off to bomb SZOLNOK RR Bridge. 1 returned early. 27 over target at 1034 hours, at 20,000 - 20,500', 21 dropping on target 52.5 tons of 1,000 lb GP bombs with .1 and .01 fusing. 6 others returned 15 tons to base. Box from 376 BG passed under them preventing bombing. 27 returned at 1240 hours. ROUTE: As briefed. RESULTS: Very good. Probable 4 direct hits on bridge. 1 column black smoke up to 5 - 6,000' on W side of river. Gas or oil tank car on RR hit. PHOTOS: 8 a/c attempted. OBSERVATIONS: At 1050 hours, 17,500', explosion at BEND. 2 to 3 columns black smoke.
  4. 450TH BOMB GROUP. At 0610 hours, 28 B-24's took off to bomb VINKOVCI M/Y. None returned early. 28 over target at 1040 hours, at 19, - 21,000', 28 dropping on target 67 tons of 500 lb. GP bombs with .1 and .01 fusing. 28 returned at 1213 hours. ROUTE: As briefed. RESULTS: Good pattern on aiming points. Photos show most bombs in AP areas. FLAK: Nil-SH at SARAJEVO. PHOTOS: 7 a/c attempted. OBSERVATIONS: At 1106 hours, 43 54 N, 18 30 E, 17,000', 4 guns (heavier) around factory and 6 in nearby field. At 0900 hours, 44 29 N, 16 56 E, 18,000', Flak area on Prute Flak Chart #42 reported inactive. Three Groups over it without a shot.
  5. WEATHER: CAPU at SZOLNOK. 3/10 cumulus at VINKOVCI.
  6. TIME TABULATION: TIME DOWN FLASH MISSION 98TH BG 1223 1233 (10') 1408 (1 hr, 35') 376TH BG 1226 1249 (23') 1348 (1 hr, 22') 449TH BG 1240 1255 (15') 1347 (1 hr, 07') 450TH BG 1213 1223 (10') 1346 (1 hr, 33')
     

THOMAS, A-2.

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