SPECIAL NARATIVE REPORT No. 237
MISSION: DRAVOGRAD R/R Bridge
DATE: 5 April 1945

I. CHRONOLOGY
32 B-24’s took off at 0746 to 0805 hours to bomb the DRAVORAAD R/R Bridge. 1 early return due to engine failure jettisoned 2.5 toss of bombs in the Adriatic. 31 dropped 75.5 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs on target at 1152 hours from 17,700 to 20,500 feet. 31 returned to base at 1425 hours. None lost, missing, or at friendly fields.

II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused behind the 450th Group over SAN VITO at 0838 hours at 3,000 feet. Departed that point as second group in Wing with a planned 15 minute spacing between groups. No weather interference was encountered an route and only 1/10 middle clouds to 15,000 feet were found in the target area. Smoke from the 450th Group had cleared when this group approached the target. All squadrons bombed visually. A right rally brought this group back on to the briefed course to base.
No escort on route was briefed. 6 F-51’s were sighted in the target area as top cover.

III. RESULTS
Photo interpretation of strike photos show following results by squadrons:
A-1 (719th Sq) – Approximately 66 bursts plotted with good concentration around North approach to bridge. At least 5 hits on tracks and out immediately North of bridge, and 2 near misses on North end of bridge.
A-2 (718th Sq) bridge. 2 other hits on cut 800 feet North of bridge. Approximately 33 bursts plotted immediately West of 3 near misses near center of bridge probably causing structural damage.
B-1 (717th Sq) – Due to smoke coverage only 19 bursts may be plotted. 3 of these are hits on R/R cut 600 feet North of bridge. Other bursts from this Squadron are believed to be in target area as indicated by complete camera coverage.
B-2 (716th Sq) – Again intense smoke prohibits an accurate plot to be made. Only 14 bursts may be plotted with these bursts being 1,500 feet South of bridge. Complete camera coverage indicates remainder of bursts to be smoke obscured.

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

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

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