MISSION DATE: July 12, 1944
 
MISSION NBR.  102
 
TARGET:  Toulon, France – Theoule Sur Mer Railroad Viaduct
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Twenty-three B-24's took off at 0556-0617 hours to bomb Theoule Sur Mer Railroad Viaduct.  One retuned early.  Twenty-seven dropped 87 tons of 1000 lb G.P. bombs on target at 1123 hours from 20,000 – 21,000 feet. One jettisoned .5 tons in Mediterranean 15 miles off Corsica because of rack malfunction.  Seventeen returned to base at 1415 hours.  Eight other returned at various times from 1650 hours to 1030 hours July 13, 1944.  None lost.  Two at friendly airdromes.
 
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT       

            Rendezvoused with the 98th Bomb Group at San Vito D' Normanni at 7000 feet at 0710 hours and with other Wing Groups at this point in Wing formation with the 449th Bomb Group leading.  Proceeded on course.  Due to navigational error, our Group became separated from the Wing formation.  A turn of 180 degrees was made and formation returned to designated I.P. from which a run was made on target on an axis of 315 degrees.  Rally was right in a wide swing to avoid known flak at Cannes and the return to base was as briefed.  Enroute to the target, the weather was variable from slight haze to 5/10 cloud coverage.  Fifty miles from the I.P. it cleared and was CAVU from there on until Italian coast were 10/10 cloud cover was encountered.  Our formation was broken up and various aircraft made their way to base or to friendly fields.  Escort of 12 P-38's was first sighted at 1015 hours.  At 1115 hours 12-16 P-38's were again sighted near I.P. and they flew cover to the target withdrawing in that area at 1123 hours.

 

III. RESULTS
            Photo analysis showed that the first attack unit had a good compact pattern with some hits on highway and railroad with remainder extending to the north.  The second attack unit had ¾ bursts on north approach to bridge.  Hits on or near highway.  There was one near miss on bridge with some hits in water off shore to the viaduct. 
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters:  No enemy aircraft were seen or encountered.
B.     Flak: Over target, this Group experienced slight to moderate, accurate, heavy flak of the tracking variety with all bursts colored black.  At Cannes and Nice, it was observed by some aircraft as being moderate, accurate, heavy.  In all, the flak was exactly as briefed. 
           
V. CASUALTIES
Four of our aircraft were holed but the damage was very minor.
 
VI  FLIGHT LEADERS:
            Snaith             Carter             Kellman          Kaecker                     Nyreen            Gilbert
            Daniels           Chaima          Peterson        Schirmacher              Feasel            Andrews
            Jeff                  E.D.Carlson   Mayo               S.E. Carlson