MISSION DATE:  September 6, 1944
 
MISSION NBR.  136
 
TARGET:  Leskovac, Yugoslavia  -  Troop Concentrations
 
I. CHRONOLOGY
            Twenty-eight B-24's took off at 0914-0936 hours to bomb troop concentrations in the town of Leskovac, Yugoslavia.  None returned early.  Twenty-one dropped 51.5 tons of 1000 lb bombs on the target at 1216 hours from 21,500 – 22,700 feet.  None jettisoned.  Seven returned 17.5 tons to base due to electrical release malfunction in the lead ship in box Y-1.  Twenty-eight aircraft returned to base at 1348 hours.  None lost or at friendly fields.
                       
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT       

            Rendezvoused with the 449th Bomb Group at Manduria on course to San Vito at 1039 hours.  Continued on briefed course and rendezvoused with 15-25 P-38's (escort) at 1155 hours just before reaching Prokuplje, the I.P.  From I.P. the attack was made on an axis of 133 degrees true.  Three of the four boxes dropped visually on the target.  The Y-1 box returned their bombs to base: The bomb sight in the lead ship box malfunctioned and the deputy ship took over the lead.  On the bomb run the bombs of the deputy lead would not release electrically and all seven ships held their bombs.  The box made a 360 degree turn for a second bomb run but the target was obscured by smoke and their aiming point was invisible.  This box returned their bombs to base.  The Group rallied right after the attack and returned to base on the briefed course leaving their escort at 1306 hours at 17,000 feet.

             

III. RESULTS
            The target was well covered on both aiming points.  Bomb strike photos show a good development of bursts around the aiming point of boxes X-1 and X-2 with a few scattered bombs short, long and to the left and right.  Box Y-1 did not drop.
 
IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE
A.     Fighters:  None.
B.     Flak: None.         
 
V.  OBSERVATIONS
            At 1125 hours from 17,000 feet at Kolaj, two four engine silver aircraft with 2 black stripes on each wing and black rudders, flying at 4000 – 5000 feet heading 150-175 degrees true.  No challenges.
            At 1125 hours from 17,000 feet two four engine aircraft silver in color, single tails and square wing tip with dark markings on each wing, headed 20 degrees true at 10,000 feet.
            At 1220 hours from 19,000 feet just after target, two 4 engine aircraft believed to be transports, silver in color, heading 20 degrees true at 10,000 feet.  No challenges.
 
VI. CASUALTIES
None.
 
VII  FLIGHT LEADERS:
            Caywood        Richman         Hobart            Schirmacher              Ferguson        Jefferson
            Andrews         Brickett