SPECIAL NARATIVE REPORT No. 231
MISSION: CHES/OBERSCHON A/D
DATE: 25 March 1945
I. CHRONOLOGY
33 B-24’s took off at 0739 to 0758 hours to bomb CHES/OBERSCHON A/D. None returned early. 33 a/c dropped 65.5 tons 500 lb RDX bombs on target at 1147 hours from 20,000 to 21,800 feet. 30 returned to base at 1548 hours. 1 returned to base at 1630 hours after escorting our a/c into a friendly field for gas and 1 returned at 1705 hours after stopping at a friendly field for gas. None lost, none missing, 1 at friendly field.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused over CAZZA (4246 N – 1631 N) to LAMBACH (4806 N 1353 E) to the I.P. PERAIMBERG (4941 N – 1241 E) to target, attacking on an axis of 335° true. The rally was left to rally point TIRSCHENROUTH (4952 N – 1220 E) to LAMBACH (4806 N – 1353 N) to Base.
Rendezvoused with 30 P-38’s at 1033 hours at 4615 N – 1438 E at 18,000 feet, and with 30 P-51’s at 1148 hours at 5000 N – 1238 E at 21,000 feet. Escort departed at 1331 hours at 4604.N – 1450 N. Escort was excellent.
Weather on route out was clear with visibility over 30 miles throughout. CAVU over the target with visibility over 30 miles, and winds at bombing altitude from 180° at 30 mph. The return route was clear until over Adriatic and south Italy where there were scattered high cloud above 20,000 feet.
III. RESULTS
Dense smoke resulting from the bombing of this and the other groups of the wing prevented accurate visual observations. Bombstrike photos show:
719th Sq (A-1) Due to smoke only 10 bursts from this squadron may be plotted. 4 of these bursts are on hangar of briefed aiming point and 6 at personnel quarters 100 to 300 feet South.
718th Sq (A4) No bursts from this squadron may be plotted, however complete camera coverage indicates bursts to be in smoke obscured area.
717th Sq (B-l) Only 11 bursts from this squadron may be plotted due to smoke. These bursts are from 1,000 to 1,500 feet West of aiming point.
716th Sq (B-2) No bursts may be plotted due to smoke however, again complete camera coverage indicates bursts to be in target area.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: None.
B. Flak – None.
V. CONCLUSIONS
None lost , none damaged, no casualties, no victories.
