MISSION DATE: JANUARY 15, 1944

MISSION NBR. 6

TARGET:  Prato, Italy  -  Marshalling Yard

I. CHRONOLOGY

Twelve B-24's dropped 36 tons of 500 lb Demo. bombs in vicinity of target at 1230-1245 hours from 21,000 feet. Fifteen aircraft jettisoned bomb loads in Tyrrhenian Sea enroute to home base as they were unable to find target.

II.  ROUTE AND ASSAULT

There were five early returns to home base due to engine trouble or inability to join formation. The Group was escorted by P-38's from the 82^nd Fighter Group.

III.  RESULTS

Only twelve bombers dropped near target area. The primary target was not definitely claimed hit except by the aircraft returning late. Many hits seen in town area surrounding primary target. The aircraft returning late claimed at least four hits in the marshalling yard.

IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE

     A.  Fighters:  None observed or encountered.      

     B.  Flak:   None observed or encountered.          

V.  OBSERVATIONS

After final report went in, a Squadron Bombardier reported that eight large seaplanes were observed in the Ligurian Sea side of the lake designated on the map as Torre-Del-Lago. Thirty-nine large aircraft seen on the western end of air field of Island of Elba.

VI.  CASUALTIES

None 

VII.  FLIGHT LEADERS

Mills                            Kingsman                   Gideon                       Richman

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

Mission No. 6.

Narrative report for mission flown 15 January 1944.

1. Unit 450 Bomb Group.

2. Target M/Y Prato, Italy.

3.  12 B24 H's dropped 36 tons of 500 lb Demo, A.N. M64 Nose A M 103 Tail A M 101 A2, bombs in vicinity of target at 1230-1245 hours, from 21,000 feet. 15 A/C jettisoned bomb loads in Tyrrhenian Sea en route home as they were unable to find target. In addition 5 early returns jettisoned in the same manner.

4.  There were 5 early returns to home base due to engine trouble or inability to join formation.

5.  No encounters E/A.

6.  No claims.

7.  All our A/C returned to home base.  One landed at friendly A/D en route home and came in late.

8.  No flak reported.

9.  Only 12 bombers dropped near target area. The primary target was not definitely claimed hit except by the A/C returning late. Many hits seen in town area surrounding P.T.  The A/C returning late claimed at least 4 hits in the M/Y.

10.  5 ships carried cameras.  One did not join formation.  One over target took pictures which confirmed bomb pattern.  Remaining 3 did not obtain pictures because they were not near target.

11.  Important Observations.  After final report went in, a Squadron Bombardier reported that 8 large seaplanes were observed on the Ligurian Sea side of the lake designated on the map as Terre Del Lago, (43⁰50'N – 10⁰20'E).  39 Large A/C seen on Air Field at West end of the Island of Elba (42⁰40'W – 10⁰11'E).

12.  The weather and visibility were good over target, with exception of some ground-haze.

Verne A. Weber

Captian, Air Corps

Actg. Group S-2