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55BW Mission Summary No. 167, 15 Feb 45
Group assemblies were accomplished between 1001-1103. Wing rendezvous was made from 1025-1055. There were two forces which accounts for the variance in form-up times.
Escort of P-51's were joined at 1240Z at JUDENBURG. Fighters departed from Red Force at 1415Z along the YUGO coast. At 1315Z P-51's made contact with bombers at 4655-1447. Escort composed of approximately 30 P-51's which departed at 1535Z over the ADRIATIC.
53 a/c of Red Force (464, 465 and 485 Bomb Groups) were over the WIENER NEUSTADT sorting sidings and main station at 1302-1310Z from 21,000-23,000', 53 a/c dropped 105.25 tons of 500 RDX #1 .01 bombs.
54 a/c of Blue Force (464, 465 and 485 Bomb Groups) were over the WIENER NEUSTADT sorting sidings and main station from 1302-1302A from 21,000-22,000', dropping 105 tons of 500 RDX #1 .01 bombs.
All bombing was accomplished visually and due to 10/10 cloud, photos show no result of the strikes.
The 464th Bomb Group encountered SIX flak at the primary. The other two Groups reported no flak. No flak was encountered enroute. No e/a were seen or encountered.
Weather: Base on take-off, overcast stratocumulus, tops 3,000', tops to 5,000'. Visibility 8 miles. Route out, overcast increasing to scattered patches over the ADRIATIC, decreasing over VIS Island to 7/10 and over the ADRIATIC to 10/10, clearing over the YUGO plains with patches of ground fog. Just north of WIENER NEUST an altocumulus deck at 12,000' was encountered which increased to overcast with breaks and thin areas. Visibility was over 10 miles.
Target, overcast altocumulus at 12,000' with breaks to the northeast. Visibility above clouds excellent. Route back, overcast from target to SPOD/BITELY clearing to VIS. Over overcast stratocumulus to the north over the ADRIATIC but 2-3/10 in patches south of a line from VIS to the Spur. 30 miles off the coast of ITALY overcast at 3,500-5,000'. Base on return, overcast at 2,500'. Visibility 15 miles.
Wings aloft: VIS Island . . . 15,000' . . . 315/25 . . .-8. Target . . . . . 22,000' . . . 310/45? . . .-30.
107 a/c landed at home bases from 1525-1640Z. 56 a/c listed as lost or missing.
19 a/c released 37 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs, fused .1N, .01T, on the primary target at 1301Z from 21,000', on an attack axis of 125°.
Flak at the target was extremely scant and inaccurate heavy. 17 a/c report seeing no flak. Observations from the lead ship indicate that 2 or three bursts below and to the rear of the formation occurred immediately after bombs away.
21 a/c landed at base from 1522-1544Z.
On 15 Feb 45, 18 a/c plus 3 spares scheduled for BLUE FORCE took off to bomb the sorting sidings at WIENER NEUSTADT, AUSTRIA. Take-off was from 1015-1024Z. 2 a/c turned back early.
19 a/c released 37 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs, fused .1N, .01T on the primary target at 1402A from 21,000' on an attack axis of 131°
Recapitulation: Dropped on primary target 37.5 tons 2 JN at friendly fields, bomb disposition unknown 4.0 tons 2 a/c jettisoned .5 tons Total 42.0 tons 19 a/c landed at base from 1608-1637.
16 a/c went over the target at 1302Z at 22,000', dropping 31½ tons of 500 lb RDX bombs, fused .1N, .01T. One a/c jettisoned 2 bombs near the IP; it could not keep up with the formation. One a/c had a bomb hung up due to a shackle malfunction and jettisoned it five mile west of SZENTTAMAY at 1315Z. Bombs were dropped by Pathfinder.
Recapitulation: Dropped on primary 31.25 tons Jettisoned .75 ton Total 32.00 tons
On 15 Feb 45 at 1005Z, 16 scheduled a/c took off to attack the Sorting Sidings at WIENER NEUSTADT, AUSTRIA. (BLUE FORCE) There were no early returns.
16 a/c went over the target at 1401Z, at 22,000', dropping 32 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs, fused .1N, .01T. Bombs were dropped by Pathfinder.
All a/c returned safely to base, landing at 1640Z.
16 a/c were over the target at 1302Z (target time 1256Z), dropping 32 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs, fused .1N, .01T, from 22,500'. Bombing was by PFF with lead ship using the C-1.
17 a/c landed without incident at 1528Z mean landing time.
On 15 Feb 45 at 1004Z, 19 a/c took off to bomb the WIENER NEUSTADT Main Station. (BLUE FORCE) There were no early returns.
19 a/c were over the target at 1402Z (target time 1356Z), dropping 37½ tons of 500 lb RDX bombs, fused .1N, .01T, from 22,500'. Bombing was by PFF with lead ship using PPI because the C-1 was erratic in operation.
19 a/c landed without incident at 1630Z mean landing time.
BOMBING AND NAVIGATION ANALYSIS
d. 464th Bomb Group, BLUE FORCE: This group was first in the Blue Force Wing formation. Due to a 10/10 cloud coverage at the target no visual sighting could be made. A combination of DR navigation and PFF was used to turn the formation over the target. Lead bombardier then began a normal PFF synchronous run. The PFF operator gave the pilot three course corrections and the bombardier four sighting angles. The synchronization between the H2X equipment and the bombsight was good and the bombs were dropped on an attack axis of 131°. Three malfunctions were reported by this group with a total of four bombs salvoed in the target area. Two of these malfunctions were due to inoperative B-10 shackles while the other one ground checked satisfactorily. No results were observed and photos show 10/10 cloud cover.
e. 465th Bomb Group, BLUE FORCE: Flying second in the Wing formation, the 465th made a synchronous PFF run on the target. The formation was turned over the IP onto the axis of attack, 131°, by the PFF operator. On the bomb run the lead bombardier received five sighting angles from the H2X operator. Three corrections were made in course. Charlie Box leader also used H2X for course and made corrections. Both lead teams report excellent coordination between the H2X operator and the bombardier. No malfunctions were reported. Photos show only a 10/10 cloud coverage.
f. 465th Bomb Group, BLUE FORCE: This group was last in the Wing formation. The lead PFF operator picked up the target well before the bomb run was begun. The turn over the IP was made by PFF. A normal PFF run was made with good coordination between the PFF operator and lead bombardier. Previous to the IP he had checked his equipment and found his intervalometer was not operating. This was indices [indication?] that the lead bombardier salvoed his bomb load. This was the only malfunction reported by this force. The leaders of the second attack unit reported a good bomb run. No bomb strikes were observed, and all photos show 10/10 cloud coverage.
BLUE FORCE: a. Rendezvous was not exactly as scheduled. The 464th departed three minutes late over rendezvous point at 1024A with the 465th falling into position behind them. The 465th, however, was unable to see the other two Groups departing from rendezvous point and eight minutes after the briefed departure time the 485th departed alone. Flying an interception course they finally sighted the other two Groups several miles past the second point of the line rendezvous, the position (4200-1620). b. The 464th reached the keypoint SIBENEK at 1107A, one minute ahead of schedule, and at an altitude of 12500'. The course from the keypoint was as briefed for all Groups going to JUDENBURG to WOOS and from there to the IP. The 485th had considerable difficulty in catching the Wing formation due to the late start, but they were in position shortly after passing the keypoint. All Groups rallied just off the target to ST. MARTIN and returned to base by way of SISAK. c. Low ceilings caused some difficulty in Group assembly, but after leaving ITALY the clouds dissipated and it was possible to navigate by pilotage until the vicinity of JUDENBURG was reached. From JUDENBURG to the target and for a short distance on the return route, a complete undercast forced reliance on PFF. No route flak was encountered.
After the rally, JUDENDALER LAKE and LAKE BALATON were used as check points for path bearing for the use of the dead reckoning navigator and to get around the numerous flak areas on the route back. The undercast disappeared after the formation had passed ZAGREB, and pilotage was used for the rest of the route to base. All five pathfinder operators reported excellent results from their H2X equipment. b. 465th Group. The PFF operator used his equipment to give fixes approximately every ten minutes during the entire mission. Bombing was also done by the synchronous method. The PFF was of great value in assisting the dead reckoning navigator to avoid known flak areas. WIENER NEUSTADT was identified on the scope at a distance of 35 miles. The mickey operator turned the formation at the IP on the correct axis of attack. Two course corrections were given to the pilot by the mickey operator while on the bomb run. Rate was set up using 70, 68, 62, and 54 degrees. There were no set malfunctions. All equipment worked satisfactorily. c. 485th Group. PFF was used extensively for navigation and synchronous bombing because of undercast conditions. It was also used to enable the dead reckoning navigator to avoid known flak areas. Twenty fixes were given to the dead reckoning navigator. The mickey operator set up course and rate in conjunction with the bombardier. The bombs from Charlie Box went away before those in Able Box, but the difference in time was slight. A good break in the clouds after bombs were away gave crew members a glimpse of the target area, but could not see bomb hits. All crew reports agreed well over the target. Although one set had a short range and poor definition on the scope, it did not seriously affect the bomb run. Coordination between all the crews was reported excellent.
RED FORCE: a. 464th Group. Pathfinder was used as an aid to navigation, and in synchronous bombing. It was also used in riding the rendezvous as this Group in this force rendezvous over an undercast. It was also helpful in aiding the dead reckoning navigator avoid known flak areas. Fixes were given to the navigator about every 10 minutes. The formation was turned over the IP by PFF. Three course corrections, one 5° right, one 3° right, and 2° left were given to the pilot on the bomb run. The last course correction was given 10 miles from the target. Five range angles of 70, 65, 60, 50, and 40° were given to the bombardier. It was the belief of the mickey operator that the bombs hit the target, but left of the MPI. The Pathfinder equipment worked well, but some trouble was experienced with the sensitivity of the fluxgate compass. All other H2X equipment was in excellent condition. b. 465th Group. The PFF operator gave fixes to the dead reckoning navigator every ten minutes, and was of great aid in navigation and in avoiding known flak areas. The Group was directed over the IP and on the bomb run by pathfinder. The bomb run was synchronous, and the mickey operator directed the pilot to make several course corrections, the last being 2° left. Six sighting angles were given to the bombardier. The mickey operator started the bombardier off at 70° then 68°, 65°, 62°, 65°, and 53°. On the rally and on the return route to base he was of great assistance in aiding the dead reckoning navigator to avoid known flak areas. PFF pathfinder equipment worked satisfactorily during the entire mission. c. 485th Group. PFF was used as a navigational aid as far as GRAZ. From GRAZ a 10/10 undercast was encountered and navigation was dependent on the mickey operator. PFF made the turn over the IP and put the formation on the correct axis of attack. A synchronous run was made on the target. The mickey operator in the Group deputy a/c set up his own rate, and his bombs went away one second after the Group leader. Coordination between all the lead crews was reported to be excellent. Approximately 20 fixes were given to the dead reckoning navigator. Two PFF a/c were early returns because of engineering malfunctions. The lead set gave ideal performance. Baker and Charlie Boxes did not have lead PFF a/c.
FIGHTER ESCORT
52nd Fighter Group (RED FORCE) Mission: To provide escort on penetration, over the target, and on withdrawal for four Groups of B-24s of the 55th Wing and Force briefed to attack WIENER NEUSTADT Sortings Sidings and Main Station at 1256A. The mission was accomplished substantially as briefed.
Narrative: 30 P-51s were airborne at 1030A and on course at 1040A at 6,000'. Enroute on the direct course to rendezvous, the P-51's climbed through an overcast over the ADRIATIC. 29 P-51s were over the briefed rendezvous point at 1225A. At this time the 47th Wing was just passing over. 29 P-51s attended rendezvous with the 55th Wing at 1232A, 4 minutes late, at the briefed rendezvous point at 24,000'. Here the P-51s split into three sections in order to provide cover over the lead, middle, and rear bomber groups. The P-51s were ordered to escort a lone bomber from the 55th Wing through 474-1505. This bomber was escorted to 4655-1420. 27 a/c were over the target at 1300-1305A at 26,000'. Withdrawal was uneventful with 15 a/c leaving the bombers at 4535-1525 at 1340A.
(BLUE FORCE) Mission: To provide escort on penetration, over the target, and on withdrawal for four Groups of B-24s of the 55th Wing, Blue Force, briefed to attack WIENER NEUSTADT Sortings Sidings and Main Station at 1356A. The mission was accomplished substantially as briefed.
Narrative: 32 P-51s took off at 1130, to escort bombers of the 55th Wing. The fighters set course one minute late at 1132A and proceeded directly to rendezvous without incident. Here eight provided top cover, while the other 23 provided close cover. 8 P-51s were ordered to pick up an early returning bomber at 4722-14, at 1333A. They left this bomber at 1400A at 4430-1600 at 17,000'. On the way to the target from rendezvous, the P force encountered another bomber formation and provided them top cover to their target which turned out to be WIENER NEUSTADT. The bomber were not positively identified but were believed to be from the 47th Wing. The P-51s executed a 45° turn at this point and attempted to locate their assigned bombers; they succeeded in contacting the 55th Wing around WIENER NEUSTADT and covered them on withdrawal. 20 P-51s providing top cover were over WIENER NEUSTADT from 1358 to 1402A at 25-27,000'. Withdrawal was uneventful with 20 P-51s leaving the bombers at SISAK (4530-1522), at 1445 at 25,000' and proceeding without incident directly to base.
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