MISSION DATE:  JANUARY 10, 1944      

MISSION NBR.  3

TARGET:  Skopolje, Yugoslavia  -  Marshalling Yard

I. CHRONOLOGY

Fifteen B-24's dropped 169 bombs in the target area at 1215 hours from 19,000 – 20,000 feet. One aircraft had eleven hung bombs while one aircraft was so wide of target that no attempt was made to bomb. These aircraft dropped 23 bombs in the area of the City of Durrazo, Albania at 1251 hours from 14,000 feet.

II.  ROUTE AND ASSAULT

No losses as all aircraft returned early. The Group was escorted by P-38's from the 82^nd Fighter Group.

III.  RESULTS

Bombing results were not satisfactory as most of the hits were wide and to the south of the central siding. Some bursts were observed on the western siding and the choke point may have received a direct hit. A few bombs fell into the city but a general assessment of damage would be slight.

IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE

     A.  Fighters:  None observed or encountered.      

     B.  Flak:  No flak was seen over target area. Heavy flak of slight intensity and accuracy as to altitude only was encountered near the City of Durrazo, Albania on the route in and out. It was quite wide of the entire formation and no evasive actions was necessary.     

V.  OBSERVATIONS

None

VI. CASUALTIES

None

HEADQUARTERS 450^TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) A.P.O. 520

Mission No. 3.

Narrative report for mission flown 10 January 1944.

1. Unit 450

2. Target.  Marshalling Yards – Skopolje, Jugoslavia.

3.  15 B-24 H dropped 169 or 42.25 tons of 500 #G/P/ bombs in the target area at 1215 hrs. from 19000 – 20000 feet. One A/C had eleven hang bombs while one A/C was so wide of target that no attempt was made to bomb. These A/C dropped 23 500 # G.P. bombs in the area of the City of Durrazo, Albania at 1251 hrs from 14000 feet.

4.  4 early returns. 3 due to mechanical failures and one due to a .50 cal. Shell casing from a  lead A/C which shattered the pilot's windshield.

5.  There were no enemy encounters.

6.  No preliminary claims.

7.  No losses as all A/C returned safely.

8.  No flak was seen over target area. Heavy flak of slight intensity and accuracy as to altitude only was encountered near the City of Durrazo, Albania on the route in and out.  It was quite wide of the entire formation and no evasive action was necessary.

9.  Bombing results were not satisfactory as most of the hits were wide to the south of the central siding. Some bursts were observed on the western siding and the choke point may have received a direct hit. A few bombs fell into the City but a general accessment of damage would be slight.

10.  There were three A/C attempting photographs but all tuned in negative results. One A/C with K 17 was forced by motor failure to leave the formation before the target was reached. Two A/C with K 17's and film borrowed from the 98^th Bomb Group took a series of shots and Capt. London of the 47^th Wing riding as a photographer used a K 20. The film from the K 17's when developed was entirely black. The developer was tested and found to be satisfactory so it must be concluded that the film was bad. Capt. London's film from the K 20 developed clear tending to show underexposure. No photos of the arid therefore were available.

11.  The only observation of importance was a wagon train seen leaving the eastern siding headed north.

12.  The weather over the target had some scattered cloud cover but the visibility was good.

James A. McKamy

Major, A. C.,

Group S-2.