MISSION DATE:  August 3, 1944
 
MISSION NBR. 114
 
TARGET:  Ora, Italy  -  Railroad Bridge
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Twenty-seven B-24 type aircraft took off at 0545-0611 hours to bomb the Ora Railraod Bridge, 11 miles South of Bolzano, Italy.  There were no early returns.  Twenty-seven dropped 66 tons of 1000 lb G.P. bombs at 1007 hours from 20,000 – 21,500 feet. Two aircraft jettisoned ½ tons each 10 miles after target due to rack malfunctions.  Twenty-seven aircraft returned to home base at 1253 hours.  None lost.  None missing.  None at friendly fields.
 
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT       

            Rendezvoused with 449th Bomb Group at 7000 feet at 0707 hours and with the other Wing groups at San Vito D' Normanni at 7000 feet at 0715 hours.  Proceeded on course to keypoint, to Conegliano to I.P. from which target was attacked on an axis of 295 degrees True from 20,000 – 21,5000 feet.  Formation rallied left to avoid flak at Trento, then to Congliano, than on a reciprocal course back to base.  Target was bombed by four boxes flying in trail.  The escort withdrew at Venice at 1100 hours at 16,000 feet.  The weather enroute was slight haze and 2/10 alto-cumulus over Adriatic at 12,000 feet.  At the target, there were scattered alto-cumulus clouds at 10,000 – 15,000 feet.  Over Northern Italy, there was high cirrus 2/10 at 20,000 feet. 

 

III. RESULTS
            There were several direct hits on railroad bridge.  On both ends of the railroad bridge, there were direct hits.  The highway bridge to the south of the target also received direct hits.  Approximately 19 bursts observed 2,000 feet S.W. of target.  There were nine planes equipped with cameras and five took photos.
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters: There were no enemy aircraft observed on encountered.
B.     Flak: Flak was observed at these places: Trento, intense, accurate, heavy – black and white bursts.  Bolzano, moderate, accurate, heavy – black bursts.  Flak was not encountered at the target.  Flak observed was directed at other formation.           
 
V.  OBSERVATIONS
            At 0835 from 18,000 feet 6 ships observed, one escort and five cargo type on a course approximately 70 degrees True.  At 1130 from 10,000 feet four large ships and three small ones headed southwest at 140 degrees True course.  At 1100 from 17,000 feet in the harbor of Venice, there were three ships.
 
VI. CASUALTIES
None.
 
VII  FLIGHT LEADERS:
            Jacoby                        Carter             Keller              Andrews