MISSION DATE: JANUARY 28, 1944
MISSION NBR. 17
TARGET: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard
I. CHRONOLOGY
Thirty-one B-24's took off at 0800 hours to bomb the marshalling yard at Ferrara, Italy. Two returned early. Twenty-nine dropped 85.25 tons of 500 lb G.P. bombs on target at 1137 hours, from 20,000 – 22,000 feet. Twenty-nine returned to base at 1355 hours.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused with the 449th Bombardment Group at 1845 hours at 6,000 feet over Grottaglie and proceeded to Vieste. Continued on course to I.P. (Rovigo), then made left turn onto target, attacking on axis of 240 degrees, rally was made to left and proceeded as briefed to Lake Varano to base.
III. RESULTS
The target was incompletely covered as bomb strike photos show 5 bursts in marshalling yard, 2 among cars on siding in north yard, 4 near the river bridge and choke point at the SW end of marshalling yard and 2 on the railroad tracks SW of marshalling yards.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: None observed or encountered.
B. Flak: No flak was encountered on the route in or over the target but on the route back, light, slight and inaccurate flak was seen at Ancona, Italy.
V. OBSERVATIONS
A submarine was seen to crash-dive at 1011 hours. The observation was made from 11,500 feet. The Loreo Canal joining the Po-De-Levanti and the Po Crande Rivers was observed from 19,000 to have between 50 – 70 barges. It could not be definitely ascertained whether or not any of these vessels were in motion. There were 13 vessels seen at the Naval Base of Marina at 1226 hours from an altitude of 20,000 feet.
VI. CSUALTIES
None
VII. FLIGHT LEADERS:
Snaith Kingsman Colley Murray Kellman Bailen
Wicks Carr Marpe Guthrie Orris Lehman
450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) A. P. O. 520, U. S. ARMY
29 January 1944
Special Narrative Report No. 17
MISSION: 28 January 1944 - M/Y, Ferrara, Italy.
I. CHRONOLOGY
31 B-24's took off at 0800 hours to bomb the M/UY at Ferrara, Italy. 2 returned early. 29 dropped 85.25 tons of 500# (.10 - .025) G.P. bombs on target at 1137 hours, from 20,000'-22,000'. 29 retuned to base at 1355 hours.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused with the 449th Bombardment Group (H) at 6845 hours at 6,000' over Grottaglie and proceeded to Vieste. Continued on course to I.P. (Rovigo), then made left turn onto target, attacking on axis of 2400. Rally was made to left and proceeded as briefed to Lake Varano to base.
III. RESULTS
The target was incompletely covered as bomb strike photos show 5 bursts in M/Y, 2 among cars on siding in north yard, 4 near the River Bridge and choke point at the S.W. end of M/Y and 2 on the RR tracks S.W. of M/Y. Outside of the target area a factory, believed to be sugar factory, was hit and was seen to be burning. On the N.E. side of the city, there were 24 hits on installations believed to be warehouses.
IV. ENEMY RESISTENCE
A. FIGHTERS. No enemy aircraft were sighted.
B. Flak. No flak was encountered on the route in or over the target but on the route back, light, slight and inaccurate flak was seen at Ancona, Italy.
V. SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS
A.
B.
VI. CONCLUSION:
A. TOTAL LOSSES:
FROM FLAK
FROM FIGHTERS
OTHER REASONS
B. DAMAGE:
FROM FLAK
FROM FIGHTERS
OTHER REASONS
C. CASUALTIES:
FROM FLAK
KILLED
WOUNDED
FROM FIGHTERS
KILLED
WOUNDED
D. VICTORIES:
DESTROYED PROBABLY DAMAGED DAMAGED
E. Correction on telephone mission report not included above:
James A. McKamy
Major, Air Corps
Group S-2