Mission 159

XXVI Mission Summary No. 159, 1 Feb 45

General Summary. On 1 Feb 1945, 134 B-24 a/c (138 a/c scheduled) of the 376th Bombardment Wing took off at 0650-0834 to attack a primary target in AUSTRIA. There were 21 offensive sorties and 113 ineffective sorties (including 13 early returns) due to weather and mechanical difficulties encountered enroute to Austria. Fighter escort consisting of 30 P-51's were first sighted at 1145. at (4350-1645). Escort furnished penetration support from this point to 1230. at (4430-1517). A total of 42 tons of 500 lb GP (.1,.01,.025) bombs was dropped on alternate targets of opportunity. The 456th Bombardment Group dropped 2 tons on POLA from 19,500' at 1206.; another a/c of this same group dropped 2 tons on a small town located at (4432-1653), 17 a/c of the 460th Bombardment Group dropped 38 tons at 1130. from 23,000' between GRAZ and MARBURG. 33 a/c jettisoned bomb loads and 80 a/c returned bombs to base.

No flak was encountered by the formation although 8TH-4LH was observed in the GRAZ area. Over the primary target one a/c encountered YLH "0-1". YLH flak was observed at POLA.

No enemy a/c were seen or encountered.

Weather: Over the ADRIATIC 3/10 cirrus at 18,000', 10/10 stratocumulus at 16,000' over the DINAMIC Alps continuing to the GRAZ-MARBURG area, 4-5 (4500-1700) to the right and ahead solid banks of clouds, bases 18,000' to unknown tops but believed to be near 30,000'. Return route was similar.

123 B-24 a/c returned to bases and landed from 1445-1527. No a/c were lost to enemy action or for other reasons and no a/c are listed as missing.

450th Bombardment Group. On 1 Feb 45, at 0811., 35 scheduled a/c were dispatched to bomb a target in AUSTRIA. Group assembly and rendezvous with the 489th were as scheduled. Rendezvous with the Wing was accomplished at 0928.

4 a/c returned early. 1 a/c, unable to keep up with the formation due to supercharger failure, left the formation North of SPLIT and made a visual bomb run on POLA. From 18,500', 2 tons of 500 lb GP bombs, .1ME-.01 and .025 setting, were released on the target at 1206. on a heading of 105°.

1 a/c returned early due to a gas leak, took off again but was unable to catch the formation. This a/c followed another group over the IP enroute the primary target. A/c was hit by flak and seven lines cut. This a/c turned back, bombing at opportunity, 2 tons at (4442-1603). Results were believed negative.

29 a/c returned to base with a mean landing time of 1445.

449th Bombardment Group. On 1 Feb 45, 41 of 42 scheduled B-24 a/c took off to bomb the primary target in AUSTRIA. A/c took off from 0805 to 0824. 3 of these a/c taking off late. Group form-up and assembly were accomplished as prescribed.

Rendezvous with the 455th Bombardment Group was at correct time and altitude, with the formation of groups reported by the lead a/c as being loose.

The Wing rendezvous was accomplished correctly, with all formations being somewhat extended.

3 a/c returned early. 5 a/c jettisoned bombs.

Due to the Wing formation not approaching any designated 15th Air Force PFF target, and prescribed visual alternate being 10/10ths overcast, no bombs were dropped on targets. 31 a/c returned their full bomb loads of 2 x 2000 lb, 500 lb mixed GP and M&K bombs, fused .1 nose and mixed .01 and .025 tail to base.

Bombing recapitulation is as follows: 9 a/c jettisoned 18 tons 1 early return returned 2 " 31 a/c brought back 62 " 82 tons

31 a/c landed at this base from 1437. to 1501.

455th Bombardment Group. 33 of 35 scheduled a/c took off at 0822. in three flight units. The primary, or oil target, was not attacked. Assembly and Wing rendezvous were as ordered. There were 7 early returns. No a/c were seen nor encountered. 18 a/c dropped 38 tons of 500 lb GP bombs fused .1 N, .01 and .025T, at 1130. from 23,000' in the GRAZ-MARBURG area. Of the 26 a/c in the formation at the time of bombs away, 19 dropped, 6 returned bombs to base because they had not seen the leaders drop or had not identified the target while 1 a/c had jettisoned to keep up with the formation. tons dropped on target 38 tons jettisoned 2 tons returned to base 12 tons jettisoned by E/R 4 tons returned to base by E/R 10 66

26 a/c landed at 1445. All a/c returned safely.

456th Bombardment Group. On 1 Feb 45 at 0832., 25 B-24 a/c of 25 a/c scheduled were dispatched to bomb the primary target. The group assembled over the home base. Rendezvous with the 450th Group was effected as briefed. The Wing rendezvous was on schedule at 0930. The order of flight was 456th, 459th, 465th, and 450th Groups. 1 a/c turned back at (2215-1630) because of mechanical difficulties. The formation flew on the briefed course reaching VRNTL at 1135; there instructions were received by the group leader from the Wing leader to bomb the second alternate, PFF target #2. A run was started on PFF but on the bomb run, another group suddenly changed their course which placed the 456th in prop wash. A 360° turn was made and a second run started but on this run the target could not be found in the PFF scope. The Group leader then decided to bomb the first alternate, PFF target #1. After reaching a point approximately 40 miles East of this target, it was determined that a visual run could not be made. The formation returned to base. In the GRAZ area, the leader of Dep box saw chaff being dispensed and immediately called to find out if the formation was on the bomb run. The reply was misunderstood by the bombardier who released his bombs followed by the remaining six ships in the box. Interrogation failed to disclose the exact area. Photos show a bomb pattern in a flat open country with scattered trees. No property damage is in evidence. Bombs were dropped at 1221. at 23,500' on a heading of 174°.

RECAPITULATION OF BOMBS

7 a/c dropped on GRAZ area 13.75 tons 1 of these jettisoned in ADRIATIC .25 " 1 a/c jettisoned in Southern AUSTRIA 2.00 " 1 a/c jettisoned at (4400-1350) 1.50 " returned to base .50 " 16 a/c returned to base 32.00 " 25 a/c carried 50.00 tons

24 a/c landed without incident, mean landing time at 1527.

Bombing Analysis. Maximum effort of the 460th, 464th, 465th and 485th and 9 a/c of the 55th Bomb Wing was dispatched against a target in AUSTRIA on 1 Feb 45.

465th Bomb Group: This Group led the Wing formation on the attack. The BXX equipment of the lead and deputy lead aircraft was not operating. The second attack leader reported poor reception on his BXX to the deputy leader of the second attack unit took over the lead of the Wing. The a/c later developed supercharger trouble and was forced to give up the lead to the leader of the third attack unit. The weather ship reported impossible flying conditions over the primary target and since the first alternate was a visual target only and had been observed to be cloud covered enroute, a decision was made to attack the second alternate. A run was started on this target but, when the BXX operator was informed he had the wrong target on his scope the run was broken off. A second run was started on a heading of 115° and 19 a/c were in the formation at this time. There were four sighting angles given to the lead bombardier by the BXX operator. No results were observed but hits are believed in the MARBURG area.

464th Bomb Group: This group flying second did not drop any bombs. Numerous turns were made in the area of the second alternate target but the BXX operators all reported they were not near the target. There were no malfunctions in any of the BXX or bombing equipment of this group.

485th Bomb Group: This group was flying third in Wing formation. Due to a misunderstanding in the lead ship of the Dep box the bombs were dropped in the GRAZ area. The other members of this box also dropped their bombs. No hits were observed and no malfunctions were reported.

460th Bomb Group: This group was unable to bomb any target due to weather and the bombs were returned to base. Two ships, one on early return and one flying with another group dropped their bombs as follows: One early return was forced out of the formation by mechanical troubles and made a run of the first alternate (POLA). The weather was patchy so a heading was taken up as briefed. The bombardier was able to see the target long enough to drop on the aiming point. Shortly after bombs away the pilot turned off in an evasive action and the targets were not seen. The other aircraft flying with the group but was forced back shortly after. Repairs were made to the ship, again took off. They were unable to contact the first group so attached on to a 55th Wing formation. Members they were briefed in POL and they headed for the primary alternate. However they were, as they were unable to maintain altitude the bombs were dropped on the town of RADKOV, CZECHO (4629-1531), as there was no bombardier in the aircraft the bombs were released. The targets were seen in the Southeast section of the town and may have been seen, diving to a highway. The bombing was done on a heading of 258° from 18,000'.

Navigation Analysis: Rendezvous was as briefed. The 465th Group led the 464th, 485th and 460th Groups on course at 0928. at an altitude of 15,000'.

The climb to bombing altitude was started immediately after rendezvous. SPLIT, the keypoint, was reached at 1036., one minute late, and at an altitude of 19,000', which was 4,000' over the briefed altitude. This deviation was made because of adverse weather conditions. The route was flown as briefed to the next turn point, BITOLJ, where the course was altered to the IP of the second alternate target of GRAZ, after the weather a/c had advised the Wing leader that the weather at the primary target was RIJD from 18,000 to 26,000'. The third attack unit leader had to take over the lead of the Wing after the a/c of the lead, deputy lead and second attack leader. The 465th Group started a run on MARBURG, thinking it was GRAZ, then did a 360° turn to come in on a bomb run on GRAZ. The group dropped bombs on this run, but after bombs away it was discovered through a break in the clouds that MARBURG had been bombed instead. The 460th Group stayed in Wing formation, but returned with its bombs. The 485th Group started a bomb run on GRAZ, but had to turn off the run. When the 464th crossed over in front of them, a 360° circle was completed and a new run started, but the lead PFF operator was unable to pick up the target. A turn was made for the first alternate, but when it became evident that the run was not going to be visual, a turn was made to base. The group returned home with the bombs.

The 460th Group, the last group in Wing formation, made an attempt to bomb the first alternate target (POLA), but after the run had been started it was necessary to turn off because the target was completely covered by clouds.

No route difficulties were caused by FLAK. Dead reckoning, GEE and PFF navigation were used from the turn point BITOLJ. (4550-1647).

Bomb run data:

Group axis Tgt time Bomb alt 465th 135° 1237. 23,000'

MARBURG was bombed by one group, the 465th, by PFF. 35 P-51's rendezvoused with the Wing at (4450-1518). Adverse weather conditions was the main cause of the failure of this mission.

Pathfinder Navigation Analysis:

465th Group. Pathfinder equipment in the lead a/c was inoperative due to a bad tube unit. The deputy leader was called to take over the lead position but PFF equipment in this a/c was inoperative due to a bad IF cable. The second attack leader was then called but the mickey operator reported his equipment was weak and that he was unable to bomb. Deputy leader of second attack unit came up to lead but lost heading and was forced to leave the formation. The third attack unit leader then took over the lead. The mickey operator started run on MARBURG believing it to be GRAZ but bombs were not dropped as mickey leader informed lead a/c of their position. Second run was made and mickey operator gave four sighting angles to the bombardier. Some a/c in the formation dropped visually on targets of opportunity. Results are unknown.

464th Group. A 10/10 undercast encountered at the YUGO-VILA coast necessitated the use of Pathfinder as a navigational aid. Route was not briefed until Wing leader elected to bomb first alternate. Course to the point short of the target and PFF operator reported no target indications so a second where lead group was making run. Several 180° turns were made to allow formation returned to base following the lead group. All BXX equipment was in good working condition.

485th Group. Pathfinder was used as an aid to navigation. Fixes were given to the navigator about every 15 minutes. PFF was used to avoid known flak areas. All operators report excessive scope interference in BXX equipment. Bomb run on GRAZ was started on PFF but group was forced to turn off the bomb run and the lead operator was unable to identify the target again. All bombardiers in the Wing formation dropped the bombs.

460th Group. Pathfinder equipment in lead a/c was inoperative during the entire mission. Lead was taken over by the leader of the second attack unit since deputy leader had mechanical difficulties. Navigation was almost entirely by pathfinder or dead reckoning at frequent intervals. Deputy leader of second attack unit was informed of their position at frequent intervals. Deputy leader of second attack unit was unable to keep up with the formation enroute to POLA and made a visual run on alternate yard. The Wing leader was followed and

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