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Pilot-Bombardier Report


HEADQUARTERS 450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), AAF

OFFICE OF THE OPERATIONS OFFICER

APO  520   US ARMY

 

23 JULY 1944

 

SUBJECT:  Pilot-Bombardier Mission Report.

TO: Commanding Officer, 47th Wing, APO  520, U.S. Army. Attention: Wing Bombardier.

 

            1. Bomb Leaders.

                        A. First Attack Unit:

 

                                    1. Major Davis, Lt Leavitt, Lt Stragnac (C-1)

 

                        B. Second Attack Unit:

 

                                    1. Lt Jeff, Lt Richman, Lt Lanza (S-1)

 

                        C. Third Attack Unit:

 

                                    1. Lt Peterson, Lt Nicholas, Lt Schirmacher (S-1)

 

            2. American Romano Refinery, Kragujevac RR Bridge.

 

            3. 22 July 1944

 

            4. Plan did not go as briefed. Lead unit went slightly beyond I.P. to avoid B-17's. Lead Bombardier picked up wrong check points when turned into the target and so they did not bomb the primary. They bombed target of opportunity Kragujevac RR Bride. 2nd and 3rd units bombed as briefed.

 

            5. Sighting operation – 1st attack unit bombed secondary target, Kragujevac RR Bridge by visual means. 2nd unit bombed primary by offset method. 3rd unit bombed by synchronous method with PFF. Wing men toggled on their respective lead ships.

 

            6. Results of 2nd and 3rd attack units cannot be accurately determined because of the smoke screen. It is believed that the bombs hit slightly to the right of the target. The first attack unit bombed RR Bridge at Kragujevac and it is believed the bombs landed 400' to the right.

 

            (Wave) Lead bombardier evidently couldn't orient himself quickly enough when they went a  few miles beyond the I.P. He will not lead the group in the future.

 

                                                                                                            Henry C. Kaecker,

                                                                                                            Captain, Air Corps,

                                                                                                            GP Bombing Officer.



 



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