| APO-520 | US ARMY |
| S-2 NARRATIVE REPORT | |
| MISSION DATE: APRIL 29, 1944 | ||||||||||||
|
MISSION NBR. 58 TARGET: Toulon, France - Harbor Installations I. CHRONOLOGY Thirty-six B-24's took off at 0722-0808 hours to bomb Toulon Harbor. There were four early returns. Twenty-seven dropped 65 ½ tons of 1000 lb G.P. bombs on target at 1225 hours from 19,000 feet. Three others jettisoned four tons in Mediterranean from hung racks, an engine failure and rack malfunction. Twenty-six returned to base at 1530. II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT Rendezvoused with the 449th Bomb Group over Manduria at 0826 hours. On course to San Vito D' Normanni. The other groups comprising the Wing were given an opportunity to join. From that point the route was to Ponza Island, to Key Point, to Turning Point. The I.P. was slightly overshot causing a run toward target for several minutes on a 60 degree heading. This was then changed to 30 degrees on the bomb run. Rally was sharp left, hence to Ponza Island and to base. The escort of 25 to 30 P-38's was seen from the I.P. - over the target area and on to the withdrawal point at 1305 hours. III. RESULTS A very heavy concentrated smoke screen obscured the target area. Retuning crews believe that the bomb run was excellent and that many hits on or near the aiming point should have resulted. Photo coverage shows 25 burst beginning 2500 feet south of target and extending into the smoke on a favorable axis. A burst was plotted approximately 1000 feet northwest of the aiming point. IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE A. Fighters: There is definite identification of only one enemy aircraft, a ME-109 seen in the target area. It did not press an attack and possibly was used as a flak spotter. B. Flak: Experienced crews believe that the flak encountered was the most accurate our Group has seen. Both predicted and aimed fire was used, breaking in rapid sequence of fours. This heavy type flak was accurate both as to deflection and altitude. Three ships are lost over the target area and ten others retuned with varying amounts of flak damage. V. OBSERVATIONS Over target from 19,000 feet at 1226 hours, three B-24's were seen going down. From 23 to 25 chutes were counted. VI. CASUALTIES Three bombers lost from flak, 23 to 25 chutes seen. Ten aircraft received minor flak damage.
|