MISSION DATE:  July 27, 1944
 
MISSION NBR. 112
 
TARGET:  Budapest, Hungary  -  Manfred Weiss Armament Works
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Twenty-seven B-24's took off at 0530-0556 hours to bomb the Manfred Weiss Armament Works, Budapest, Hungary.  There were no early returns.  Twenty-five dropped 62 tons of 500 lb G.P. bombs on target at 0945 hours from 20,000 – 22,000 feet.  One returned 2 tons to base when low flying aircraft prevented dropping on aiming point.  One was hit by flak just before bomb release line was reached and crashed in flames.  One landed at Vis because flak damage prevented it retuning to base with formation.
 
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT       

            Rendezvoused with the 449th Bomb Group on course to San Vito at 7000 feet at 0643 hours and with the 376th and 98th Bomb Groups at San Vito on course to keypoint, Scedro Isle.  15-20 P-38's met formation at 0900 hours at 25,000 feet, 46.08N-17.18E, departed 1050 hours at 21,000 feet.  Rendezvous was effected with briefed escort consisting of 20-30 P-51's at Lake Balaton at 0915 hours at 24,000 feet.  Penetration, target, and withdrawal cover was provided.  Escort left formation at 1120 hours at 12,000 feet.  Briefed route was flown to I.P. (Biscske). Target was attacked on axis of 102 degrees True, from 22,000 feet.  Formation rallied right to avoid flak area, thence to keypoint (Scedro Isle) to base.  Enroute to and from the target, visibility was 15 miles with 3/10 to 6/10 strato-cumulus at 23,000 feet.  At the target, weather was CAVU with very slight haze. 

 

III. RESULTS
            The north portion of the target was obscured by smoke from previous bomb bursts making visual observation difficult.  Photographic interpretation disclosed both the old and new power station at E-12 received a concentration of bursts at E-8.  A direct hit was made on one in unidentified building at E-12.  The majority of bursts appeared to be short of the target and somewhat scattered over the Danube east shore. Above references are to Target Chart No. 12-3NA.
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters:  No encounters.
B.     Flak: Intense, accurate, heavy flak was experienced over the target.  At the I.P. (Biscske) flak was moderate, inaccurate, and heavy.  Moderate, accurate, heavy flak was also received from Veszprem.  One aircraft was lost to flak just prior to bomb release line.                
 
V.  OBSERVATIONS
            At 0931 hours at 47.06N-17.38E from 22,500 feet, a B-24 was observed to be aflame as result of flak hit.  Seven chutes were seen to leave this ship before it disintegrated.  At 0945 hours at 22,000 feet, another B-24 was hit by flak causing a fire in No. 3 engine.  Fire was extinguished and ship remained with formation.
 
VI. CASUALTIES
One aircraft lost to flak.  Three crew members were slightly wounded by flak.  Seven aircraft received minor flak damage.
 
VII  FLIGHT LEADERS:
            McWhorter                 Schirmacher              Gilday             Bozzo