MISSION DATE:  October 4, 1944
 
MISSION NBR.  150
 
TARGET:  Brenner Pass, Italy  -  Railroad Line
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Fifty-one B-24 type aircraft took off at 0529-0606 hours to bomb the railroad tracks and bridges on the Brenner Pass Line 1-5 miles east of Bolzano, Italy.  Forty-four aircraft dropped 111 tons on primary target at 1015 hours from 20,000 feet.  Twenty-five of these dropped 73 tons of 2000 lb G.P. bombs.  Nineteen others dropped 38 tons of 500 lb G.P. bombs on Aviano Airdrome at 1040 hours from 16,000 feet.  One aircraft returned 3 tons to base due to malfunctions of bomb release.  Forty-eight aircraft returned to base a t1308 hours.   Two aircraft reported on the flash and final mission report as missing have since been reported at friendly fields awaiting repairs.  One aircraft reported on the mission report as being at friendly field has since returned to base.  None lost.  None missing.
                       
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT       

            The route to and from the target was flown as briefed.  The axis of attack was 240 degrees TC.  Weather enroute was 3/10 with a visibility of 15 miles.  Over the target it was CAVU.  There was no escort.  6 cameras attempted photos.

             

III. RESULTS
            The assigned target was well covered at vulnerable pints throughout the entire length.  Numerous direct hits were made on the railroad tracks and bridges at several points.  Although photo coverage was not complete on all bomb strike points visual observations covering those on which no photo coverage is available indicates good results.  The 52 500 lb bombs dropped on the Aviano Airdrome were concentrated on the edge of the dispersal area but not aircraft were destroyed.
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters: None.
B.     Flak: Intense, accurate, heavy at the target.                
 
V.  OBSERVATIONS
            At 1035 hours from 18,000 feet, 12 "Bat Wing" single-engine aircraft and 20-30 others, identity unknown, observed on airdrome at Roneredo.
           
VI. CASUALTIES
            Ten aircraft holed by flak, minor.
           
VII  FLIGHT LEADERS:
           
            Pilot                Bombardier   Navigator       Pilot                Bombardier   Navigator
            Gideon           Richman         Treolar            Rees               Dowing           Epstein
            Lombard        Noblett            Lazott              Redding         Class              Cherry
            Jacoby            Carter             Fockler           Walker            Jefferson        Tousignat
            Nyreen            Marini             Ridge              Maust              Brickett           Ceary