MISSION DATE: JANUARY 29, 1944

MISSION NBR. 18

TARGET:  Siena, Italy  -  Marshalling Yard

I. CHRONOLOGY

Thirty-six B-24's took off at 0835 hours to bomb the marshalling yard at Siena, Italy. Three returned early. Thirty-one dropped 93 tons of 500 lb G.P. bombs on target E.T.A. at 1217 hours from 20,000 feet. Thirty-two returned to base at 1435 hours while one landed at San Pancrazio due to malfunction of landing gear. One landed at San Severo Airdrome on route out because of a runaway prop, made repairs, joined formation on its way in and landed at base. One elected not to bomb thru undercast and returned with full bomb load.

II.  ROUTE AND ASSAULT

Rendezvoused with the 449^th Bomb Group at 0945 hours at 6,000 feet over Manduria, thence to Vieste, continued on course to I.P. (Monte-Varchie) where left turn was made onto target which was attacked on axis of 220 degrees. Rally was made to the right, proceeded to Point-Ala-Sparviers, to coordinate points as briefed to Capri to base.

III.  RESULTS

All bombs dropped in the target area, were on an E.T.A. of 1217 hours through a solid undercast. Bomb strike photos showed a solid cloud cover over the target and an assessment of damage was impossible.

IV.  ENEMY RESISTANCE

     A.  Fighters: None observed or encountered.       

     B.  Flak:   None observed or encountered.          

V.  OBSERVATIONS

There was a possible submarine sighted. At the Airdrome at Iesi, the landing strips appeared to have been repaired and 8 aircraft (unidentified as to kind or type) were noted in the Dispersal Area at the south and west ends.

VI.  CASUALTIES

None.                                 

VII. FLIGHT LEADERS:      

Mills                Leebody                     Word               Lehman                      Giraudo          Pomerville        Davis             Kingsman                  Colley             Artzer                          Miller               Bailen                                    

450^TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) A. P. O.  520, U. S. ARMY

30 January 1944

Special Narrative Report No. 18

MISSION: 29 January 1944 - Siena M/Y

I.  CHRONOLOGY

            36 B-24's took off at 0835 hours to bomb the M/Y at Siena, Italy.  3 returned early.  31 dropped 93 tons of 500# (.10 - .025) G.P. bombs on target E. T. A. at 1217 hours from 20,000'.  32 returned to base at 1435 hours while 1 landed at San Severo A/D on route out because of a run-away prop, made repairs, joined formation on its way in and landed at base.  1 elected not to bomb thru undercast and returned with full bomb load.

II.  ROUTE AND ASSAULT

            Rendezvoused with the 449^th Bombardment Group (H) at 0945 hours at 6,000' over Manduria, thence to Vieste, continued on course to I.P. (Monte Varchie) where left turn was made onto target which was attacked on axis of 220⁰.  Rally was made to the right, proceeded to Point Ala Sparviers, to coordinate points as briefed to Capri to base.

III.  RESULTS

            All bombs dropped in the target area, were on an E. T. A. of 1217 hours through a solid undercast. Bombs strike photos showed a solid cloud cover over the target and an assessment of damage was impossible.

IV.  ENEMY RESISTENCE

            A.  FIGHTERS.  No enemy A/C were sighted.

            B.  FLAK.  No flak was encountered.

V.  SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS

            A. NAVAL.  There was a possible submarine sighted at 43⁰10'N - 13⁰50'E.

            B. GROUND.  At the A/D at Iesi, 43⁰32'N - 13⁰14'E, the landing strips appeared to have been repaired and 8 A/C (unidentified as to kind or type) were noted in the dispersal area at the south and west ends.

VI.  CONCLUSION:

            A.  TOTAL LOSSES:

                        FROM FLAK                          0

                        FROM FIGHTERS                  0

                        OTHER REASONS               0

            B.  DAMAGE:

                        FROM FLAK                          0

                        FROM FIGHTERS                  0

                        OTHER REASONS               1

            C.  CASUALTIES:

                        FROM FLAK

                        KILLED                                 0

                        WOUNDED                         0

                        FROM FIGHTERS

                        KILLED                                 0

                        WOUNDED                         0

            D.  VICTORIES:

                        DESTROYED            PROBABLY DAMAGED                 DAMAGED

                                    0                                              0                                                          0

            E.  Correction on telephone mission report not included above: None.

James A. McKamy

Major, Air Corps

Group S-2