SPECIAL NARATIVE REPORT No. 236
MISSION: SUIM River Bridge
DATE: 2 April 1945

I. CHRONOLOGY
32 B-24’s took off at 1105 hours to attack SUIM River Bridge. 32 dropped 76 tons of 1,000 lb mixed GP and RDX bombs on primary target from 1425 to 1431 hours from 17,300 to 19,600 feet. 32 returned to base at 1656 hours. None lost, none missing and none at friendly fields.

II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused over SAN VITO at 1156 hours at 3,000 feet as the fourth group in the Wing line. The course was as briefed to IP at BUCECPVCI (4636 N 1606 E) to target, attacking on a heading of 294 degrees true. Rallied left to rally point at LESE (4634 N – 1455 E) and followed briefed route to base.
Only scattered high clouds above 25,000 feet were encountered on the route out. At the target, there were no clouds below bombing altitude. On the return route, a few scattered patches of middle level clouds were encountered just north of VIS. Otherwise the return route was the same as the route out with the Southern Adriatic and Southern Italy clear.
Rendezvous was made with approximately 15 P-38’s and 8 P-51’s at 1421 hours at 4645 N – 1530 E. Escort departed at 1530 hours at 4413 N – 1522 E.

III. RESULTS
Strike photos do not show any direct hits on bridge but tracks south of bridge are cut at least 5 times by craters and 8 to 10 times immediately north of bridge by excellent pattern of bombs. Results by squadrons:
718th Squadron (A-1) – Approximately 28 bursts are plotted around the northern approach to bridge with at least 2 hits on R/R tracks and fill.
719th Squadron (A-2) – Approximately 33 bursts near south approach to bridge with 2 hits on R/R tracks and one near miss probably damaging north end of bridge.
716th Squadron (B-1) – General pattern on and around north approach to bridge with at least 2 of 31 plotted bursts being on trackage.
717th Squadron (B-2) – Good pattern of approximately 29 bursts plotted immediately west of bridge with one hit on tracks at south and of bridge.

IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: None.
B. Flak –none.

V. CONCLUSIONS
None lost, none damaged, no casualties, no victories.

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