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HQ FIFTH WING (US)
APO 520
7 June 1944
OPERATIONS ORDER)
NUMBER 575)
(2) Escort: Two (2) groups of fighters will provide penetration, target cover for bombers attacking TRIESTE and penetration cover for the 463rd and 301st Bomb Groups attacking POLA.
2. Twenty-eight (28) B-17’s each of the 463rd and 301st Bomb Gps will attack and destroy SUBMARINES and DOCK FACILITIES at POLA, ITALY on 8 June 1944. This is Plan “A”.
ALTERNATE TARGET : Large Motor Vessel used as block ship in ANCONA HARBOR.
BOMBER ASSEMBLY : 463rd Bomb Gp – Base, 4,000 ft at 1121B.
301st Bomb Gp – Base, 4,000 ft at 1136B.
ROUTE OUT : BASE to KEYPOINT to (44/40N, 13/00E) to IP to TARGET.
KEYPOINT : ANDRIJA ISLAND (43/02N, 15/45E), 13,000 ft at (463rd Bomb Gp – 1200B, 301st Bomb Gp – 1215B).
INITIAL POINT : 44/55N, 13/20E.
AXIS OF ATTACK : 97 degrees.
TARGET TILE : 463rd Bomb Gp – 1312B.
301st Bomb Gp – 1327B.
BOMBING ALTITUDE : 463rd Bomb Gp – 21,500 ft.
301st Bomb Gp – 22,500 ft.
TARGET ELEVATION : Sea level.
RALLY : Right turn.
ROUTE BACK : Direct to Base.
3. a. The 463rd Bomb Gp will attack the SUBMARINE in drydock and adjacent SHOPS located at ZA/ZB-40/41 on Shipping Report Chart No. P/20 (1).
b. The 301st Bomb Gp will attack the SUBMARINE and the adjacent SHOPS located at Y-42 on Shipping Report Chart No. P/20 (1).
x. (1) Bomb load will be G.P. 1000’s with .1 second nose and .01 second tail fuses.
(2) All crews will be briefed about freshman mission for Thunderbolt Group escorting.
(3) Unassigned targets will NOT be bombed.
(4) Groups will not take-off until notified by this Headquarters.
(5) Lead fifteen (15) aircraft each group will load two (2) cartons of “Window”. Dispensing to begin at IP and continue until clear of flak at a rate of six (6) Units every twenty seconds.
4. No change.
5. a. Standard Signals Procedure will be observed.
b. Command radio 6440 Kcs. VHF Channel “A”.
c. Bomber call signs: (463rd BG – BELLBOUY 21) (301st BG – BELLBOUY 22).
d. Escort call signs: FREEZOL.
e. Recall code word: PARTIAL.
f. Carpet will be employed by all units so equipped.
By order of Colonel SARTAIN:
STEPHEN W. HENRY,
Lt Col, Air Corps,
Ass’t A-3 Officer.
ANNEX 1. Intelligence Annex.
DISTRIBUTION: Y.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH WING (US)
APO 520
7 June 1944.
INTELLIGENCE ANNEX
(Operations Order No. 575)
Other operations being curtailed by weather the plan for the 15th Air Force is to destroy remaining active Oil Refinery and Oil Storage at TRIESTE, heavily loaded M/Y next to active QUAY and two subs at POLA. The two subs at POLA purported to be the only two remaining German submarines in the Adriatic and can interfere with amphibious operations in that area.
Exact location of Partisan units on the Mainland is unknown and Allied Troops are operating on BRAC, HAVAR and VIS Islands.
FLAK: There are 45 heavy guns present most of which are to the north of the target.
FIGHTERS: Enemy fighters in North Eastern ITALY will probably not be airborne and opposition from fighters is considered negligable.
See latest Ground Summary.
_. B. HILLIARD,
Major, Air Corps,
Acting A-2.
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