MISSION DATE:  September 18, 1944
 
MISSION NBR.  143
 
TARGET:  Budapest, Hungary  -  South Railroad Bridge
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Twenty-eight B-24 type aircraft took off at 0610-0629 hours to bomb the South railroad bridge in Budapest, Hungary.  Twenty-six dropped 52 tons of 2000 lb RDX bombs on the target at 1030 hours from 23,000 – 25,000 feet.  One aircraft jettisoned 2 tons because of engine trouble.  Twenty-eight returned to base at 1312 hours.
                       
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT       

            The route was flown as briefed to the I.P. and excellent navigation brought the formation into position for a run on the target at an axis of 130 degrees.  Rally was sharp left, then right and the route back was flown as briefed.  Escort of 35-40 P-51's effective rendezvous at 0950 hours at 21,000 feet and withdrew at 1215 hours at 15,000 feet.  8 cameras attempted photos.

 

III. RESULTS
            Bombardier's Combat Mission Report:  All boxes had very good runs except Lt. Butner whose sight was out.  The I.P. was well hit and all bombardiers picked up the target as soon as they started on the run.  The leaders of X-1 & X-2 boxes had bombardier's blisters and the leaders of Y-1 & Y-2 boxes did not.  Lead box led by Lt. Leavitt of the 721st Sqdn. scored excellent results with one direct hit on the bridge.  Second box led by Lt. Maushart of the 723rd Sqdn. scored unsatisfactory results with his pattern developing 1000 feet over.  No explanation except poor synchronization has been offered by the bombardier.  Third box led by Lt. Butner of the 722nd Sqdn. scored unsatisfactory results. Lt. Butner held his bombs when a sight malfunction would not allow him to make a satisfactory run.  He was not able to contact his number two mean to take over.  Number two man dropped when his tail gunner called bombs away from another ship.  The other members of the box dropped at various intervals.
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters:  None.
B.     Flak: At the target, flak was moderate, accurate, and heavy, holing 4 aircraft.       
 
V.  OBSERVATIONS
            None.
           
VI. CASUALTIES
            Foru aircraft were holed by flak, none seriously.
           
VII  FLIGHT LEADERS:
            Alexander       Leavitt             Kahan             Maushart        Stevens          Butner
            Inglett              Myers