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