MISSION DATE: JANUARY 21, 1944

MISSION NBR. 12

TARGET:  Prato, Italy  -  Marshalling Yard

I. CHRONOLOGY

Five B-24's dropped 12.5 tons of 500 lb Demo. bombs at 1241 hours from 20,000 feet over primary target area. Seven B-24's dropped 17.25 tons of 500 lb Demo. bombs at 1246 hours from 20,500 feet over Pisa, Italy. Six B-24's returned bomb loads to base. Twelve jettisoned in mountains and sea enroute to home base.

II.  ROUTE AND ASSAULT

There were four early returns. All our aircraft returned to home base. The Group was escorted by P-38's from the 82^nd Fighter Group.

III.  RESULTS

No bomb bursts were observed on any releases due to heavy overcast above areas.

IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE

     A.  Fighters: Four ME-109's made three passes at one of our early returns as it was alone near San Marinella. Attacks were made from 5 to 7 o'clock high, passing under and returning to same attack. Immediately upon opening of action, 10 to15 P-38's appeared and drove enemy aircraft off. We suffered no damage, and observed none to enemy.         

     B.  Flak: One aircraft reports 3 black smoke explosions occurred from an hours from 14,000 feet. Only 3 black smoke explosions occurred from an unidentified emplacement. There was no flak over target areas.              

V.  OBSERVATIONS

Twenty-three ME-109's – FW-190's seen circling in target area, (Prato) at 1240 hours. Two to three hundred ship convoy headed north with 30 Spitfire escorts and a balloon barrage. Observed at 1100 hours from 14,000 feet. In San Marinella Harbor, one large freighter. Landing strip observed north of same town, no planes, no activity. An eighty merchant vessel ship convoy going to NW, seen at 1416 hours from 20,000 feet.

VI.  CASUALTIES

None.                                 

VII. FLIGHT LEADERS:      

            Gideon           Carr                Johns              Gladstone                  Word               Siegle             Davis              Kingsman       Colley             Murray                        Lael                 Hagenson                 

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

Mission No. 12.

Narrative report for mission flown 21 January 1944.

1. Unit - 450 Bomb Group.

2.  Target – M/Y Prato, Italy.

3.  Five B24H's dropped 12.5 tons of 500 lb demo bombs, fuzed .10 Nose, .025 Tail at 1241 hours from 20,000 over primary target area.  Seven B24's dropped 17.25 tons of 500 lbs demos at 1246 hours from 20,500 feet over Pisa, Italy. Six B24's returned bomb loads to base (10 x 500 lb demos). Twelve jettisoned in mountains and sea enroute home.

4.  There were four early returns.

5.  4 ME 109's made three passes at one of our early returns as it was alone near San Marinella, 43⁰03'N – 11⁰50'E. Attacks were made from 5 to 7 o'clock high, passing under and returning to same attack. Immediately upon opening of action, 10 - 15 P38's appeared and drove E/A off. We suffered no damage, and observed none to enemy.

6.  No preliminary claims.

7.  All our A/C returned to base.

8.  One A/C reports 3 bursts of heavy, inaccurate flak at 42⁰03'N – 11⁰30'E at 1143 hours from 14,000 feet. Only three black smoke explosions occurred from an unidentified emplacement. There was no flak over target areas.

9.  Results: No bomb bursts were observed on any releases due to heavy overcast above areas.

10.  Four A/C attempted photographs. None disclosed ground areas bombed, but consisted of cloud formations.

11.  Observations.

A.  200 to 300 convoy, at 40⁰40'N – 14⁰35'E, headed north with 30 Spitfire escorts and a balloon barrage. Observed at 1100 hours from 14,000 feet.

B.  In San Marinella Harbor, 42⁰03N – 11⁰50'E, one large freighter. Landing strip observed north of same town, no planes, no activity.

C.  80 M/V ship convoy going to N.W. at 41⁰10'N – 13⁰20'E, seen at 1416 hours from 20,000.

D.  170 ship convoy, of which 120 were landing craft, seen at 40⁰45'N – 12⁰55'E, on course 3100. Observed at 100 hours from 18,000 feet.

E. Huge fires seen at Anzio, 41⁰27'N – 12⁰38'E, at 1400 hours from 18,000 feet.

F.  An A/D seen at 42⁰13'N – 11⁰42'E. No planes, no activity.

G.  Possible 5 CL in Leghorn Harbor at 1300 hours, seen from 20,000 feet.

H.  23 ME 109's – FW 190's seen circling in target area (Prato) at 1240 hours.

I.  4 factories on hillside at 43⁰13'N – 10⁰45'E, observed smoking heavily.  Seen at 1330 hours from 20,000 feet.

12.  Weather.  Heavy ground clouds blanketed all areas surrounding targets bombed.

Verne A Weber

Captain, A. C.

Actg. Group S-2