Mission Number: 10

Date: 19 Jan ’44

Target: Perugia, Italy Air Drome

449th A/C Over Target: 28

Tons of Bombs Dropped: 69-3/4 GP

Flak: H-I-A

Enemy A/C Destroyed: 2(Prob)

449th A/C Lost: 1

Results: Good

Thirty-two B-24H’s took off to attack the airdrome at Perugia, Italy, today, and twenty-eight of these A/C flew over the target in two sections of thirteen and fifteen, respectively. Most of the planes reported that the large majority of the bombs fell on the target given to this group, and this was corroborated by photographs which showed about 65 hits on the airfield, of which 9 hit directly on the only landing strip. The last camera from which photographs were taken was located on the first ship of the second section, so that the hits made by ships in this, the larger of the two sections, as claimed by observers in these A/C have not been recorded by photo coverage. Therefore, based upon the foregoing factors, it is apparent that the assigned target area was completely covered by this group and a partial coverage of the target area assigned the other group. Of the 28 A/C over the target, 27 A/C dropped 69-3/4 tons of 500-lb GP .1 and .025 bombs. One A/C of the early returns bombed a target of opportunity, towit a small M/Y located near the mouth of the Potinza River, dropping 2-1/2 tons at 1132 hours at 18,000′. Results undetermined.

One of our A/C is missing, when last observed by other A/C in our formation, it was on fire, one engine feathered, under control, gliding to earth, at or near 4311N – 1258E. Saw nine men bail out — another crew reports A/C crashing at 4245N – 1325E at 1201 hours. A/C was damaged by flak over the target. Another crew reports from position 4255N – 1322E the crash and burning of the damaged A/C at least 20 miles to the West and behind observer A/C at 1221 hours. Another A/C last reported him at 1208 heading for the east coast and still going down – #3 feathered and #4 on fire. States A/C on fire at time of landing.

There were no attacks by enemy A/C. From 8 to 12 E/A/C T/E type were observed on the A/D. Photo coverage disclosed 17 A/C, widely dispersed. One observer claimed 9 E/A/C destroyed in the dispersal areas.

Heavy, moderate-to-intense and accurate flak over the target. Some bursts were observed to cover larger areas than others. At times the larger bursts completely obscured the tail of our A/C. It is thought probable that some of the AA guns located on the A/D are of the largest type. …

Four A/C returned early, one because the main landing gear would not stay in locked-up position, one because non-functioning of superchargers, one because of engine oil leak which caused oil to flow into superchargers and because of excessively high head temperature on all engines, and the fourth because of illness of pilot who became unconscious.

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