| APO-520 | US ARMY |
| S-2 NARRATIVE REPORT | |
| MISSION DATE: APRIL 11, 1945 |
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MISSION NBR. 260 TARGET: Campodazzo, Italy - Railroad Bridge I. CHRONOLOGY Thirty-two aircraft took off at 0816-0844 hours to bomb the Campodazzo Railroad Bridge in Italy. One aircraft returned early due to engine failure. 30 aircraft dropped 73.5 tons of 1000 lb RDX bombs at the target at 1218-1231 hours from 24,000 - 26,500 feet. One aircraft jettisoned 1.5 tons in Taranto Bay, when making an early return with one engine inoperative. One aircraft jettisoned 2.5 tons in the Adriatic because the aircraft was pulling excessive power while enroute to the target. Thirty-one aircraft returned to base at 1514 hours. None lost. None missing. None at friendly fields. II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT Rendezvous and route were flown as briefed. The group lead aircraft was forced to return early because of engine failure and the second squadron assumed the lead. Bombing was by 4 squadrons of 8 aircraft each, in trail, and was by visual method. The last squadron made a 360 degree turn between the initial point and the target, after they had overlapped the proceeding squadron, and then bombed on the briefed axis. 12-15 P-51 aircraft made rendezvous as escort at 1145 hours, Caorle (45.26N-12.53E), at 26,000 feet and withdrew at 1242 hours, Caorle, at 23,000 feet. Weather was CAVU. III. RESULTS Bomb strike photos show: 1st Sq: Bombs fell 6000 feet S of the tgt hitting a small village. 2nd Sq: Bursts were not picked up on photos. Bombs are believed to have hit north of the target. 3rd. Sq: Bombs fell 1200 feet W of the target in an open field. 4th Sq: Heavy concentration scored on the bridge. Smoke prevented definite assessment. IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE A. Fighters: None. B. Flak: Flak at target was tracking variety but was not accurate for altitude. The black bursts received were low and white bursts high and trailing. Flak was observed at keypoint, Caorle (45.36N-12.53E), both on penetration and withdrawal, but was not received. Squadron Tgt.
Time Bomb Alt. Axis Flak Exp. Lost
at Tgt. Sev. Dam. Slight Dam. 1st 1218 25,000 355 S I/A H 0 0 2 2nd 1221 24,000 350 S I H 0 0 0 3rd 1222 24,000 351 S I H 0 0 0 4th 1231 26,500 350 S I H 0 0 0 V. OBSERVATIONS A. Communications: At 1140
hours (45.32N-12.44E), from 22,000 feet: 5 barges tied up to a dock at mouth of
Piave River. B. Flak Positions: None
pinpointed C. Smoke Screens: At 1219 hours, Tesero (46.17N-11.31E), from
26,000 feet: either smoke bombs, or generators operating, marked this initial
point. D. Naval: At 1215 hours (45.25N-13.10E), 18,500 feet:
Appeared to be sinking ship about ½ out of water. E. Air: At 1218 hours, target area, 25,000 feet:
B-24 aircraft seen gong down in flames and later exploded. No chutes observed.
Appeared to be over Bolzano. At 1150, (45.47N-12.38E), 24,000 feet: 8 single engine
aircraft appeared to be taking off from airstrip near Pasiano. At 1235, (46.03n-12.36e) 21,000 feet: 3 transports, 7
single engine aircraft, 3 JU-88' observed on airfield. Observation made with
field glasses. VI. CONCLUSION A. Losses: None B. Damage: 2 aircraft sustained minor damage. Flak at
target. C. Casualties: None D. Victories: None
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