I. CHRONOLOGY
40 B-24’s took off at 0640 hours to bomb San Ambrogio M/Y. 20 dropped 50 tons 500 lb RDX bombs on primary at 1146 to 1149 hours from 21,500 to 23,000 feet. 15 dropped 37.5 tons on first alternate target, Peschiera Todt Supply Dump (7 a/c at 1159 hours from 23,100 to 23,500 feet and 8 a/c at 1212 hours from 21,000 to 22,600 feet). 1 a/c jettitoned 2.5 tons in Lake Garda when it lost four turbos. 2 a/c jettiesoned 5 tons at 4551N-1035E and 4532N-1028E due to accidental release. 1 a/c jettisoned 2.5 tons in Adriatic because of rack malfunction. 1 a/c jettisoned 2.5 tons in Lake Garda because of engine trouble. 39 a/c returned to base at 1624 hours. None lost, none missing, one at a friendly field.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused over San Vito on course at 4,000 feet at 0738 hours as Wing lead ahead of the 450th Group. The route out was as briefed to the primary target where the 716th Squadron (A-1) (10 a/c) attacking on the briefed axis of 153 degrees dropped its bombs.The 717th Squadron (A-2) failing to pick up the target did a 180 degree turn and attacked the alternate target Peschiera on an axis of approximately 350 degrees true, 7 a/c dropping. the 718th Squadron (B-1) also elected to bomb the alternate Peschiera but made a 360 degree turn passing over the IP Storo (4551N-1035E) and attacked on an axis of 155 degrees true with 8 a/c dropping. The 719th Squadron (B-2) (10 a/c) attacked the primary on an axis of 155 degrees true. All squadrons approximated the briefed route back to base with slight variations.
Approximately 20 P-51’s met the formation at 1050 hours at Sestri (4447N-1035E) and departed at 1151 hours at 4515N-1040E.
Enroute except for low ground fog over south Italy and lightly scattered cirrus, the weather was clear and visibility throughout was unrestricted. At the target, extensive surface smoke made satisfactory sighting difficult.
III. RESULTS
Photographi interpretation shows the following results:
716th Sq. (A-1) 69 bursts plotted immediately east of aiming point up to 1.000 feet with one hit into already destroyed M/Y
717th Sq (A-2) 57 bursts plotted in open fields up to 1,000 feet north of ammunition dump with 5 hits on revetment walls. Photos from following squadron sho no damage to dump.
718th Sq (B-1) 65 bursts plotted in open fields and water from 800 to 2,000 feet west of target.
719th Sq (B-2) 49 bursts plotted up to 1,000 feet south of target with 3 hits in M/Y and 4 hits on tracks 1,000 feet south of aiming point. 24 additional bursts plotted in fields 3,500 feet east of target.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: None.
B. Flak: At both primary and alternate, flak was reported as S-I-H and of from 1 to 2 minutes duration..
[Losses: None. Damage: None. Casualties: None.]
