| APO-520 | US ARMY |
| S-2 NARRATIVE REPORT | |
| MISSION DATE: FEBRUARY 28, 1945 |
|
MISSION NBR. 231 TARGET: Isarco/Albes, Italy - Railroad Bridge I. CHRONOLOGY Fifteen B-24 type aircraft (Red Force) took off at 0916-0923 hours to bomb Isarco/Albes Railroad Bridge and one aircraft returned early. Eighteen B-24 type aircraft (Blue Force) took off at 0930-0939 hours to bomb the same target. Red Force bombed as follows: Thirteen aircraft dropped 28 tons of 1000 lb RDX bomb on the primary target at 1315 hours from 24,000 feet. One aircraft turned off the bomb run with one engine burning, is now missing, and 2.5 tons of bombs are not accounted for. One aircraft returned 2.5 tons to base in making an early return with one engine inoperative. Three aircraft jettisoned 1.5 tons, or .5 tons each, in the Adriatic; one aircraft because of excessive power needed during penetration, and two aircraft because bombs did not rerelease over the target. Blue Force bombed as follows; seventeen aircraft dropped 40.5 tons of 1000 lb RDX bombs on the primary target at 1338 hours from 25,000 feet. One aircraft turned off at the initial point and later crash landed 20 miles south of Rimini and 2.5 tons of bombs are not accounted for. Red Force returned thirteen aircraft to base at 1559 hours, and Blue Force seventeen aircraft at 1622 hours. One aircraft lost: crash-landed 20 miles south of Rimini, causing injury of unreported severity to two crew members. One aircraft is missing. None at friendly fields. II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT The rendezvous and route were flown as briefed by both forces. Each force was comprised of two squadrons and all squadrons bombed by visual method. The fourth squadron executed a 360 degree turn to the right to permit smoke to clear from the target and then attacked on briefed axis. Route and target weather were as briefed. As general cover, 12-20 P-51 aircraft were observed at 1215 hours at target, and 7 P-51 aircraft at 1303 hours in Udine area. III. RESULTS Bomb strike photo assessment shows: Red Force: First Sq: an excellent concentration across the bridge with several direct hits. Second Sq: dropped into smoke, but vertical photos show some hits on northern approach to the bridge. Blue Force: Third Sq: a good concentration slightly to the right scoring several direct hits. Fourth Sq: a heavy concentration of the bridge with several direct hits. IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE A. Fighters: None B. Flak: Squadron Tgt.
Time Bombing Alt. Flak Exp. Lost at Tgt. Sev.
Dam. Slight Dam. First 1315 24,000 M/A/H 0 0 2 Second 1316 25,300 M/A/H 0 0
(MIA) 3 Third 1330 24,500 S/I/H 0 0 0 Fourth 1338 25,000 S/I/H 0 0 0 Two aircraft of the 4th Sq. reported flak at
S. Candida (46.42N-12.18E) as S/I/H. No damage sustained. (Note: This point
used as pint on plan). V. OBSERVATIONS AT
1307 hours, at (46.16N-11.50E), from 24,000 feet, while on bomb run observed
M/Y with 150/200 units. At
1314 hours, Tarvisio (46.30N-13.35E), from 20,000 feet M/Y filled with rolling
stock. At
1350 hours, Piediculle (46.12N-13.58E), M/Y filled with rolling stock. At
1301 hurs, Aviano A/D (46.02N-12.36E) from 24,000 feet, 13 A/C parked. At
1435 hours, Silba Island (44.25N-14.45E) from 15,000 feet, B-24 A/C on island,
and 2 small vessels on south side of island. VI. CONCLUSION A. Losses: One aircraft crash-landed 20 miles south of Rimini,
and one aircraft is missing. B. Damage: Five aircraft, minor. C. Casualties: Two men injured when aircraft
crash-landed; severity of injury unreported. D. Victories: None E. Radar Observations and Report: Used only as
navigational aid. F. Corrections to Telephone Mission Report: Battle damage
is increased by adding one aircraft, severe. |