MISSION DATE:  July 26, 1944
 
MISSION NBR. 111
 
TARGET:  Markersdorf, Austria - Airdrome
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Twenty-eight B-24 type aircraft took off at 0702-0725 hours to bomb the installations at Markersdorf Airdrome.  One aircraft was early return and jettisoned 2.5 tons in Gulf of Taranto.  Six aircraft of lead box, 1st Attack Unit returned 15 tons to base and seven aircraft in high right box dropped 17.5 tons on target of opportunity, Bukovci, Yugoslavia 46.23N-15.59E at 1145 hours from 18,000 feet.  Thirteen aircraft of 2nd Attack Unit dropped 32.5 tons on target of opportunity, small marshalling yard near Stubing, Austria 47.10N-15.20E  at 1145 hours from 17,000 feet.  One aircraft jettisoned 2.5 tons at 47.30N-15.40E to stay in formation.  All aircraft loaded with 500 lb (.1 - .025 fusing) G.P. bombs.  Twenty-five aircraft returned to base at 1404-1450 hours.  None lost.  One missing.  Two aircraft at friendly fields.  (Pescara) (Loreto).
 
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT       

            Group rendezvoused with 98th bomb Group over Manduria and on course to San Vito D' Normanni at 0826 hours at 8000 feet.  Proceeded on course as briefed.  As target area was approached the cloud conditions and density of vapor trail from other aircraft made it difficult to keep units ahead in sight.  5/10 alti-cumulus at 10,000 feet cut down visibility to 5 to 6 miles.  At 20,000 feet an overcast existed.  The two attack units were separated from the Wing and each other while climbing through the dense vapor trails and the overcast.  The two boxes in the 1st Attack Unit lost contact.  The primacy and alternate targets could not be located due to poor visibility and targets of opportunity were selected.  The lead box of the 1st Attack Unit returned bombs to base and the high right box dropped on Bukovci, Yugoslavia.  The 2nd Attack Unit bombed a marshalling yard at Stubing, Austria.  Because of overcast the bombing altitude ranged from 17,000-18,000 feet.  30-40 P-51 aircraft escort were contacted near 45. 10N-16.30E at 1035 hours, altitude 21,000-25,000 feet, providing good cover.  3 P-51 aircraft provided withdrawal cover for one box to 45.10N-16.30E departing at 1225 hours, altitude 16,000 feet.  15-20 P-51 escort were contacted by 2nd Attack Unit south of target area and furnished withdrawal cover to 44.40N-16.40E, departing at 1250 hours, altitude 15,000 feet.  5-6 ME-109's were observed at 1050 hours near Graz at 17,000-24,000 feet.  P-51 engaged the enemy and 1 enemy aircraft was observed going down in flames near target area.  Weather enroute to target was good over Adriatic.  Over Yugoslavia 5/10 alti-cumulus at 10,000 feet cut down visibility.  In target area visibility cut to 5 to 6 miles with overcast at 20,000 feet preventing bombing at briefed altitude. 

 

III. RESULTS
            High right box, 1st Attack Unit bombed Bucovci, Yugoslavia.  Missed target and bombs burst in fields.
            2nd Attack Unit: bombed small marshalling yard and building installations at Stubing, Austria.  Bombs missed target and burst in field.
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters:  No encounters.
B.     Flak: None enroute to target area.  Moderate, accurate, heavy flak encountered near Stubing 47.10N-15.20E.  One aircraft received minor damage.  At Graz – moderate, accurate, heavy.  No damage.        
C.    6 Aircrafts were equipped with cameras.  No photographs.    
 
V.  OBSERVATIONS
            At 1010 hours, from 16,000 feet, at Novska 45.20N-16.59E, about 200 cars in marshalling yard.  At 1026 hours, from 17,000 feet, at Jasonovak 45.17N-16.55E, factories and small buildings with 50 cars in marshalling yard.  At 1031 hours, from 18,000 feet, at Banovajaeuga 45.26N-16.55E, 150 cars in marshalling yard.  At 1045 hours, from 20,000 feet, at Kraljevec 46.08N-16.12E, 40-50 cars in marshalling yard.  At 1052 hours, from 20,000 feet, at Varazdin 46.18N-16.20E, large factory, 100 cars in marshalling yard.  At 1155 hours, from 19,000 feet at Kaprovnica 46.10N-16.50E, 300 cars in marshalling yard.  At 1230 hours, from 16,000 feet at Sunja 45.21N-16.33E, 50-60 cars in marshalling yard.  At 1025 hours, from 19,000 feet at Bodgridiska 45.10N-17.15E, 10 river boats. 
 
            Possible 4 gun emplacement west of factory at 45.17N-16.55E. No smoke screens were observed.
 
            At 1230 hours, 16,000 feet at 44.22N-14.42E naval vessel of DD type close to shore.  Was observed in same locaton 3 days ago.
 
            At 1158 hours, altitude 18,500 feet, at Bjelovar 45.54N-16.35E large barracks area and landing strip with one aircraft.  At 1200 hours, altitude 19,000 feet, at 46.15N-15.15E, airdrome with 3 twin engine aircraft.  At 1230 hours, from 16,000 feet at Jas Envac 45.17N-16.55N, airdrome with 10 aircraft; 3 large, 7 small.
 
            At 1230 hours, 16,000 feet, Premuda 44.21N-14.36E, 4 oil storage tanks on upper tip of island.  At 1310 hours, 12,000 feet, 43.27N-17.10E, what appeared to be a hydro-electric plant on river, 7 miles from coast.
  
VI. CASUALTIES
One aircraft missing.  No details known.  One aircraft received minor flak damage.
 
VII  FLIGHT LEADERS:
            Jacoby                        Jefferson                    Keller              Peterson