MISSION DATE:  August 26, 1944
 
MISSION NBR. 128
 
TARGET:  Giurgiu/Ruschuk, Romania  -  Ferry Boat
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Twenty-seven B-24 type aircraft took off from base at 0615-0635 hours to bomb the railroad ferry boat operating between the towns of Giurgiu and Ruschuk in Romania.  One aircraft was early return due to engine trouble and was forced to jettison its bomb load in an open field in Yugoslavia.  Attack on the target was made by four boxes with the lead bombardier in each box sighting for range and deflections.  Weather aircraft notified Group Leader as to position of the Ferry Boat before the Initial Point was reached, giving ample time to make a bombing run on it.  Target was attacked at 1028 hours from an altitude of 21,000 – 22,000 feet.  Only the first box and the forth box bombed the target, dropping a total of 34.25 tons of 500 lb G.P. bombs.  Twenty-four aircraft returned to base at 1313 hours.  None lost.  None missing.  None at friendly fields.  No jamming on VHF.
           
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT        

            Route was flown as briefed.  Prior to the Initial Point at Alexandria, the Weather aircraft notified the Group Leader that the Ferry Boat was anchored 5 miles to the south of Ruschuk and on the southeast bank of the river at XR-05173, Bucaresti Sheet #43/44.  Bombing run was made from the initial Point to the target on an axis of 95 degrees True.  Rally was to the left and the course back to base was as briefed.  30-40 P-38 type aircraft escort were contacted at 0950 hours, altitude 24,000 feet at Rosiorii De Veda, as briefed.  15-20 P-51 type aircraft escort were contacted in the target area at 1030 hours, altitude 23,000 feet.  Both P-38's and P-51's withdrew at 1140 hours, altitude 17,000 feet at Nis, Yugoslavia.  Escort was good.  Weather enroute to the target; alto-stratus, 6/10 at 16,000'; cirrus 3/10 at 24,000'; visibility 15 miles. Weather built up on return.  At target: scattered cumulus, 2/10 at 20,000 feet; cirrus at 24,000 feet and visibility 10 miles.

             

III. RESULTS
            The target was anchored near barges that were tied together and it was difficult to isolate.  Never-the less, the First Box dropped a highly concentrated pattern of bombs that might have included one direct hit on an end of the target.  All bombs of this box fell within 1,000' of the Aiming Point.  The Second and Third Boxes could not identify the target and held their bombs.  The Forth Box identified the target and dropped on it, resulting in near misses.  Due to the pattern of bombs and the closeness of the impacts, it is highly probable that the target was damaged.  Eight aircraft equipped with cameras.  First Box took photographs.  Photos of the Forth Box failed to show bomb strikes possible due to banking away from target at time photos were attempted.
            Bombardier's Combat Mission Report:  Bombing was done by boxes.  Lead box picked up target and laid down a good concentration in the target area.  Second box of first attack and lead box of second attack returned bombs to base.  Leaders of these boxes were not able to pick up target in time to make a good run.  The second box of the second attack unit dropped on the target as well as the first box.  Due to no photo coverage results cannot be estimated. 
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters:  None.
B.     Flak:  At Metrovica slight, inaccurate and heavy, both on penetration and withdrawal from target.  At target area, and from Giurgiu moderate, inaccurate and heavy.                
 
V.  OBSERVATIONS
            Time               Place                          Altitude           Remarks
            0813               Gulf of Kotor               12,000            Possible naval vessel at dock.
            0820               Perasi                         12,000            Two good sized boats at anchor.
            0917               Nis                              20,000            100 plus cars in marshalling yard.
            0924               Bela Palanka             21,000            150-175 cars in marshalling yard,
                                                                                                mostly oil cars.
            1929               Piorot                          21,000            250 cars in marshalling yard, mostly
                                                                                                oil cars.
            1030               Danube River            21,000            50-100 barges moored at loading stages
            1040               43.43N-24E               20,000            70 barges on Danube River and 2 larger
                                                                                                boats, one a tanker.
 
            At 1030 hours from 22,000 Giurgiu, one ME-109 chased by two P-38's, went down smoking.
            At 1012 hours from 22,000 feet Rosiorii De Vede 20 single-engine fighters on field, one four-engine transport landing. 
 
VI. CASUALTIES
None.
 
VII  FLIGHT LEADERS:
            Gideon           Carr                Andrews         Frank              Bushnell          McClain
            White              Bomberg