| APO-520 | US ARMY |
| S-2 NARRATIVE REPORT | |
| MISSION DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 1945 |
|
MISSION NBR. 226 TARGET: Rosenheim and Grafing, Germany - Marshalling Yards I. CHRONOLOGY Thirty-three B-24 type aircraft took off at 0700-0720 hours to attack marshalling yards at Rosenheim and Grafing, Germany. Adverse weather conditions throughout southern Germany caused the Group formation to break up and prevented three Squadrons from reaching their primary objectives. Six aircraft of one squadron dropped 11.5 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs on the Rosenheim West Marshalling Yard at 1230 hours from 20,000 feet. Two other squadrons were able to drop visually on targets of opportunity while the fourth jettisoned because they were unable to find a suitable target through the undercast. Eight aircraft dropped 15 tons on a double track railroad 5 miles SW of Lienz (46.47N-12.40E) at 1222 hours from 21,000 feet. Nine aircraft dropped 17 tons on a marshalling yard at Piesendorf (47.18N-12.42E) at 1200 hours from 15,000 feet. Eight others jettisoned 15.5 tons in the mountains at 46.45N-12.35E. One aircraft jettisoned 2 tons in the vicinity of the I.P. (Kufstein, 47.35N-12.11E) in order to maintain formation position. One aircraft returned 2 tons to base. Thirty-three aircraft returned to base between 1455 and 1523 hours. None lost. None missing. None at friendly fields. II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT Rendezvous was executed as planned and briefed course flown to Keypoint thence over the mountains. As the formation cleared the northern slop of the Alps, a wall of thin cirro stratus was encountered. Visibility was limited to approximately 5 miles and the haze extended above the formation altitude of 15,000 feet. In attempting to go through, the squadrons became separated and only one reached the primary target. Briefed alternates were any communication target in Southern Germany or Austria. Finding the primary obscured three squadrons circled the general area in an attempt to discover a target through the undercast. One squadron found a break in the vicinity of Lienz and dropped visually on the rail line. One other squadron discovered the Piesendorf Marshalling Yard partially clear and dropped visually. A third squadron failed to locate a target of opportunity and jettisoned i the mountains. The squadron dropping on the primary made two 360's after climbing to 20,000 feet above the undercast and dropped by PFF on the third run. No escort was specifically designated for the 47th Wing. However, interrogation disclosed that 10-15 P-38's and scattered P-51's were in the area of the primary I.P. and target at 1120 hours and remained there when the formations departed. III. RESULTS Due to nearly solid undercast neither photos nor visual
observations were of much assistance in determining results. Photos of Renheim show target loud obscured. Photos of one squadron show bombs hitting near the railroad
line near some small installations. Considerable smoke and a large fire is
visible. Crew interrogation placed this target as 5 miles SW of Linz. A third squadron reported that they bombed a marshalling
yard at Piesendorf. Photos are cloud obscured. Photos of the fourth squadron which jettisoned show bombs
dropping thru haze. No terrain features are visible. IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE A. Fighters: One enemy aircraft which was described as having numerous
characteristic features of the ME-262 was reported at 1145 hours at
47.40N-12.30 from 20,000 feet. First observed at 2 o'clock high. Came in very
fast at 4 o'clock and broke away to the left at 1500 yards. Red flashes were
observed coming from the nose. Circled the formation at approximately 2,000 yards
and departed emitting short vapor trails. B. Flak: No flak was experienced at target or
enroute. V. OBSERVATIONS At 1040 hours 15 miles South of Turnpoint on Coast from
17,000 feet, a vessel resembling a Liberty Ship heading towards Trieste. At 1250 hours from 21,000 feet the same aircraft reported
the vessel at the same spot half submerged. VI. CONCLUSION A. Losses: None B. Damage: None C. Casualties: None D. Victories: None E. Radar Observation and Report: Three operators reported
a strong return from the primary and believed that a good run could been made
if orders had permitted PFF bombing, The squadron dropping on the primary
reported that the "Mickey" lined the Bombardier up twice but bombs were held.
Course was excellent on each run but he bombardier reported that a brief
glimpse of target through the clouds was after point of release. Bob were
dropped PFF on third run. Good coordination was reported. One set went out
before reaching the target area. |