The
briefed route was flown to Starting Point where waves were dispatched on exact
time schedule. The first wave passed
beyond the water Initial Point and approached the target on an axis of 290
degrees True instead of the prescribed 250 degrees axis. The lead box of the first wave attempted to
bomb visually but due to solid undercast, where unable to pick up aiming point. A 360 degree turn was made and a second run
was made by the lead box of this wave.
Photographs disclose that the bomb run extended beyond the briefed
aiming point and bombs were dropped on beach defense installations
approximately 13 miles down the coast.
The second box of this wave dropped on PFF on the briefed target but
because of undercast, photos fail to show bomb strikes. The second wave attacked the briefed target
on an axis of 235 degrees True from the water I.P. The lead box was unable to locate the briefed target because of
solid undercast. A 360 degree turn was
made in a second attempt to locate the aiming point. This bomb run was also unsuccessful The restrictions on bombing after 0730 hours precluded a third
run, so bombs were retuned to base. The
second box followed the first in trail and dropped visually through a small
opening in the undercast. Photos
disclosed that the bombs dropped approximately 12 miles southwest of the
briefed target. The area bombed by this
box and the lead box on the first wave is very similar, both in general outline
and detail. At study of annotated
Mosaic No. 1 of this area shows it to contain beach defense installation
similar to Beach 263A. The two waves
returned to base as individual units on briefed course. Friendly fighters were numerous in the
Target Area.