SPECIAL NARRATIVE REPORT No. 245-Red
MISSION: Bologna, Italy Troop Concentration
DATE: 15 April 1945
I. CHRONOLOGY
40 B-24’s took off at 0946 hours to attack targets at MS-24 [Bologna] in close co-operation with Allied Ground Forces. There was one early return due to personnel causes. 39 dropped 85.5 tons of 250 lb RDX bombs on primary target from 1352 to 1355 hours from 19,200 to 21,800 feet. 39 returned to base at 1702 hours. None lost, none missing and none at friendly fields.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused over Manduria at 9,000 feet at 1103 hours as the third group in the Wing line. The course was as briefed to the I.P. at Pistoia (4356N-1055E) to target, attacking on a heading of 30 degrees true. Rallied left to rally point at Monfestino (4225N-1047E) and followed briefed course to base. The weather showed broken low clouds and scattered middle clouds over southern Italy. The scattered middle coluds decreased northward but the low clouds continued to the Appenines, with the are clear west of the Appenines. At the target there was 3/10 thick clouds with tops at 19,000 feet. On the return route there was broken low cloud over the Appenines with tops to 12,000 feet. Elsewhere and over southern Italy there was only scattered low clouds at 5,000 feet. No specific rendezvous was made with escort but approximately 20 P-38’s patrolled the target area.
III. RESULTS
Bombing was done visually by individual boxes in trail. Bombstrike photos show the target area to be well covered with excellent concentrations, but due to the short intervalometer setting and very rapid development of pattern, no attempt was made to plot individual bursts. Results by squadrons: 719th Sq (A-1) A very heavy concentration fell across the aiming point covering an area approximately 1,100 feet by 400 feet. 718th Sq (A-2) A good heavy concentration centered 200 feet west of the aiming point and comvering an area approximately 1,000 feet by 400 feet
717th Sq (B-1) A general pattern covering an area 1,400 veet by 300 feet centered approximately 4.000 feet south of the aiming point. 716th Sq (B-2) A good concentration fell across the aiming point and covered an area approximately 1,200 feet by 500 feet.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: No E/A were sighted.
B. Flak:
719 Squadron (A-1), Target time:1352; Axis of Attack: 30degrees; Bomb Alt: 21,050 feet; Flak: S-I-H; No aircraft damaged.
718 Squadron (A-2), Target time:1352-1/2; Axis of Attack: 26degrees; Bomb Alt: 21,500 feet; Flak: S-I-H; No aircraft damaged.
717 Squadron (B-1), Target time:1353; Axis of Attack: 28 degrees; Bomb Alt: 20,250 feet; Flak: S-I-H; One aircraft slightly damaged.
716 Squadron (B-2), Target time:1355; Axis of Attack: 29 degrees; Bomb Alt: 20,100 feet; Flak: S-I-H; No aircraft damaged.
[Losses: None. Damage: From flak — 1 minor. Casualties: None.]
