MISSION DATE: JANUARY 22, 1944

MISSION NBR.  13

TARGET:  Arezzo, Italy  -  Marshalling Yard

I. CHRONOLOGY

Thirty B-24's dropped 75 tons of 500 lb Demo. bombs from 20,000 – 22,000 feet at 1231 hours on the Marshalling Yard at Arezzo, Italy.

II.  ROUTE AND ASSAULT

There were three early returns. No encounters with enemy aircraft.

III.  RESULTS

Visibility over target was 15 miles with some haze. A very heavy concentration of hits on marshalling yard is claimed by observers. Workshops, train sheds, and warehouses were hit. A number of hits in town area were seen.

IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE

     A.  Fighters: None observed or encountered.       

     B.  Flak:   Over target, heavy type, slight and inaccurate.           

V.  OBSERVATIONS

Enroute to target area and return many observations were obtained. Miscellaneous ships on coast including one large CV. Unknown type ship believed on fire in this convoy. South of Rome near coast, 1 BB, 6 DD, 6 CL, 1 CV and 19 other ships were seen. Three CV, several miscellaneous naval ships and a hundred small miscellaneous ships with cover of P-47's, P-38's and Spitfires. A 20,000 ton transport type vessel seen in Harbor at Gaeta, Italy. Seven planes seen at Malignano/Siena Airdrome. Twelve planes seen at Rosea  Airdrome. At Pian-Del-Lago Airdrome a 5000 foot runway, 3 large hangers and 12 JU-88's seen.

VI.  CASUALTIES

None.                                 

VII. FLIGHT LEADERS:

Snaith                         Kaecker                                 Miller                           Richman

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

Mission No. 13.

Narrative report for mission flown 22 January 1944.

1. Unit - 450 Bomb Group.

2.  Target – M/Y Arezzo, Italy.

3.  30 B24s dropped 75 tons of 500 lb demo bombs; fuzed .10 Nose, .025 Tail, from 20,000 feet at 1231 hours on M/Y at Arezzo, Italy.

4.  There were three early returns.

5.  No encounters with E/A.

6.  No E/A claimed.

7.  No losses, one A/C reported missing. Has been located at Reggio, Italy.

8. Flak.

            A.  Over target, heavy type, slight and inaccurate.

            B.  At 42⁰58'N – 10⁰33'E heavy type, intense & accurate.

            C.  At 43⁰00'N – 10⁰30'E heavy type, moderate, inaccurate.

            D.  At 41⁰25'N – 13⁰10'E heavy type, slight, inaccurate.

            E.  At 42⁰48'N – 11⁰45'E heavy type, slight, inaccurate.

            F.  At 43⁰10'N – 10⁰50'E heavy type, slight, inaccurate.

9.  A very heavy concentration of hits on M/Y is claimed by observers. Workshops, train sheds, and warehouses were hit. A number of hits in town area were seen.

10.  4 A/C attempted photographs. Pictures developed well, but results of bombing were partly obscured by clouds. Hits on target were confirmed.

11.  Enroute to target area and return many observations were obtained. Important items follow:

A.  150 to 200 miscellaneous ships on coast at 41⁰25'N – 12⁰50'E, included was one large CV. Unknown type ship believed on fire in this convoy. Observation from 14,000 feet at 1100 hours.

B.  South of Rome near coast, one BB, 6 DD, 6 CL, 1 CV and 19 other ships were seen at 1110 hours from 10,500 feet.

C.  3 CV, several miscellaneous naval ships and a hundred small miscellaneous ships with cover of P-47's, P-38's, and Spitfires. Seen at 41⁰21'N – 12⁰35'E from 19,000 feet at 1420 hours.

D.  At 20,000 ton transport type vessel seen in harbor at Gaeta, Italy from 19,000 feet at 1420 hours.

            E.  7 planes seen at Malignano/Siena A/D at 1220 hours from 19,000 feet.

            F.  12 planes seen at Rosea A/D, 43⁰15'N – 11⁰12'E at 1235 hours from 19,600 feet.

G.  At Pian Del Lago A/D, 43⁰21'N – 11⁰16'E, a 5000 ft runway, 3 large hangars and 12 JU-88's seen at 1245 hours from 16,000 feet.

            H.  Large columns of smoke seen at 41⁰28'N – 12⁰38'E from 19,000 feet at 1330 hours.

12.  The visibility over target was 15 miles with some ground haze.

Verne A. Weber

Captain, A. C.

Actg Group S-2