HEADQUARTERS
450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) AAF
APO-520 US ARMY
S-2 NARRATIVE REPORT
MISSION DATE: JANUARY 13, 1944


MISSION NBR. 4

TARGET: Perugia, Italy - Airdrome

I. CHRONOLOGY
Eleven B-24's dropped 1124 fragmentation bombs in the target area at 1203-1210 hours from 19,500 - 21,500 feet. Twenty-nine B-24's jettisoned 3576 bombs in the Adriatic Sea enroute to home base.

II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Five early returns, two of these at home base, the other three at nearby fields, coming home when runway obstruction was cleared. All early returns due to mechanical failure. The Group was escorted by P-38's from the 82nd Fighter Group.

III. RESULTS
Bombing results not observed due to haze and clouds over target area. Visibility over target was very poor. Only two crews claim to have seen target. An overall haze covered area, while scattered clouds of thick density were around and over target.

IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: Seven encounters with enemy aircraft. From two to five ME-109's attacking at one time. One ship reported FW-190's. Attacks were from 5 to 7 o'clock from high to medium level. Attacks were pressed to within 5 yards. Minor damage to five of our aircraft.
B. Flak: Heavy type flak reported over Assissi, Foligno and Valfabbrica, of moderate intensity, and accurate. Heavy type, slight and inaccurate over target. Seven of our aircraft hit by flak with minor damage.

V. OBSERVATIONS
No observations of importance relating to fixed targets. One ship reports two P-38's attacking an enemy aircraft which was probably damaged.

VI. CONCLUSION

A. Losses: None
B. Damage: None
C. Casualties: None
D. Victories: None

VII. FLIGHT LEADERS
Mills Kingsman Gideon Lehman