MISSION DATE: August 13, 1944
MISSION NBR. 120
TARGET: Toulon, France - Gun Positions
I. CHRONOLOGY
Twenty-seven
B-24 type aircraft took off at 0901-0929 hours to bomb gun positions in the
Toulon, France area at the following Standard Military grid positions: BZ-168859, BZ-185869 BZ-396918. Twenty-seven dropped a total of 63.25 tons
pf 500 lb RDX bombs on the four targets at 1258-1302 hours from 19,500 - 20,000
feet. The 63.25 tons of distributed as
follows: Target BZ-123888, six aircraft
dropped 15 tons; BZ-168859, seven aircraft dropped 17.50 tons; BZ-185869, seven
aircraft dropped 16 tons; BZ-396918, seven aircraft dropped 14.75 tons. One-half ton was jettisoned due to hang up. One-half ton was returned to base because of
rack malfunctions. Twenty-seven
returned to base at 1616 hours. None
lost. None missing.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
The
briefed route was flown to the water I.P. where the Group formation was broken
into four separate units. Six aircraft attacked BZ-123888 on an axis of 305
degrees; seven aircraft attacked BZ-168859 on an axis of 302 degrees and seven
others attacked BZ-396918 on an axis of 377 degrees. All attacks were made on briefed axis with the exception of the
unit attacking BZ-168859 which was forced slightly off course by the left rally
of the unit on target BZ-185869. This
change of course resulted in bombs dropping slightly to the left of the aiming
point. All units except that on target
BZ-396918 rallied left and reformed in vicinity of I.P. on course back to
base. Three P-51's were contacted at
1225 hours at 20,000 feet. They were
last seen at 1340 hours over Corscia.
Weather was CAVU at target. 2/10
scattered cumulus were encountered over the mountains, visibility 40 miles.
III. RESULTS
The
bomb strike assessment generally confirms the visually observed results. BZ-123888 received a very heavy
concentration on the aiming point. All
bombs being within 1000 feet. All bombs
directed at target BZ-185869 fell within 1000 feet of the aiming point, with
direct hits on three gun positions.
Target BZ-168859 received a concentration slightly over and to the left
of the aiming point. Two direct hits
were observed on one of the gun installations.
Contrary to visually observed results the photo interpretation showed a
heavy concentration of bursts covering all gun positions. All bombs within 1000 feet of the aiming
point.
IV.
ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: None.
B. Flak: None.
V. CASUALTIES
None.
VI FLIGHT LEADERS:
Davis Bozzo Radue Dowing Tarasko Maushart
Stevens Hudson