I. CHRONOLOGY
This group employing both a Green Force and a Yellow Force took off to bomb Legnago road Bridge. 20 a/c of Green Force took off at 0821 to 0838 hours. 10 a/c of this force dropped 24.5 tons of1,000 lb RDX and GP bombs on the bridge at Legnago at 1312 hours from 20,000 to 20,300 feet. 10 a/c of this force (comprising Able One section, 717th Sq) elected to attack the alternate of Peschiera Todt Supply Dump, dropping 25 tons of 1,000 lb RDX and GP bombs on target at 1327 to 1329 hours from 19,200 to 19,600 feet. 20 a/c comprising Yellow Force took off at 0910 to 0921 hours to bomb Legnago Road Bridge. Finding the primary target had been destroyed by a preceding group this force elected to and did bomb alternate target #1, Peschiera Todt Supply Dump. 20 a/c dropped 49.5 tons of 1,000 lb RDX and GP bombs on target at 1414 to 1417 hours from 21,000 to 22,500 feet. No a/c returned early. 10 a/c of Green force returned to base at 1525 hours, and 10 a/c returned at 1542 hours. 20 a/c of Yellow Force returned to base at 1637 hours. None lost, missing, or at friendly fields.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Green Force rendezvoused over San Vito behind Red Force of the 450th, thence to turnpoint 4400N-1400E to keypoint Cervia (4416N-1222E) to turnpoint Marzabotto (4421N-1112E) to Castelfranco (4436N-1103E) to IP Ficarolo (4457N-1126E) to the primary target, attacking on an axis of 339 degrees true. At the primary target Green Force divided, A-1 section (10 a/c) proceeded to the alternate target of Peschiera (4526N-1042E), while A-2 section (10 a/c) bombed the bridge. Able One section then proceeded to Nogara (4511N-1104E) the IP for the alternate target of Peschiera, attacking on an axis of 314 degrees true, thence to Cremona (4508N-1002E) to Parma (4448N-1020E) to Rimini (4404N-1235E) to base. Able Two section rallied right to rally point Conselve (4514N-1152E) to Marina (4429N-1216E) to base.
Yellow Force rendezvoused over San Vito behind Blue Force of the 450th, thence to turnpoint 4400N-1400E to keypoint Cervia (4416N-1222E) to turnpoint Marzabotto (4421N-1112E) to Castelfranco (4436N-1103E) to Ficarolo (4457N-1126E) the IP for primary target of Legnago, thence to Nogara (4511N-1104E) the IP for the alternate target of Peschiera, to target, attacking on an axis of 314 degrees true, thence to Cremona (4508N-1002E) to Parma (4448N-1020E) to Rimini (4404N-1235E) to base.
Green Force rendezvoused with 19 P-38’s at Legnago at 1310 hours. Escort last reported at 1332 hours at 4500N-1120E.
Yellow Force reported escort of 4 P-38’s in the Legnago area at 1350 hours.
On route out there were broken and high clouds over heel of Italy but entirely clear North of Bari. No clouds and unrestricted visibility throughout remainder of route. Both the primary target and at the alternate target Peschiera were CAVU. Visibility unrestricted. Wind from 310 degrees at 90 MPH. Return route was CAVU throughout with lightly scattered low clouds in Spur area and scattered high cirrus over south Italy and the base.
III. RESULTS
Bombstrike photos show:
Green Force — A-1 — 717th Sq. Bombed Peschiera as breifed alternate. 42 bursts plotted up to 1,000 feet east of aiming point with heavy concentration of bursts in stores dispersal area. At least 4 hits on large buildings.
Green Force — A-2 — 716th Sq. Bombed primary target. 38 bursts along east bank of river between highway and railway bridge. One hit on east end of road bridge, and two hits on RR tracks east of RR bridge. Both bridges destroyed at time of bombing.
Yellow Force — B-1 — 719th Sq. Bombed alternate target of Peschiera. 41 bursts plotted immediately around aiming point up to 1,000 feet. Main weight of pattern has fallen on large warehouse type of building in target area.
Yellow Force — B-2 — 718th Sq. bombed alternate target of Peschiera. 36 bursts in immediate area of aiming point with weight of bursts falling on storage buildings. Remainder of bursts believed to be smoke obscured as indicated by complete camera coverage and intense build-up of smoke after bombing.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: No E/F were seen.
B. Flak: No flak was encountered.
[Losses: None. Damage: None. Casualties: None.]
