Mission Number: 3
Date: 10 Jan ’44
Target: Skopje, Yugo. M/Y
449th A/C Over Target: 19
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 40 GP
Flak: None
Enemy A/C Destroyed: 0
449th A/C Lost: 0
Results: Good
Nineteen B-24H’s of the Group attacked the West M/Y at Skopje, Yugoslavia. Forty-tons of 500 pound GP .1 and .025 bombs were dropped at 1215 hours from 21,000 feet. The target was covered with snow. Results are uncertain. Considerable smoke and some fires were seen in the target area and it was thought some hits were scored. Examination of photographs made at the time of the attack reveal at least eight bombs hit in the M/Y. The attack is considered partially successful.
Two possible enemy fighters were sighted near the Yugoslav coast while going in to the target. They were seen at 1150 hours at 18,500′ altitude and were not identified as to type. One P-38 joined the high flight of the 450th Bombardment Group at 1222 hours. It had U.S. markings and red spinners. At 1242 it pulled out and appeared to join the escort. One P-38 trailed the formation at same altitude on the return trip as far as the Italian coast.
One aircraft reported possible flak at the east end of the M/Y at Skopje. No other aircraft reported flak at the target. Flak was reported from the Albanian harbor of Durazzo. It was heavy, moderate, inaccurate, and low.
Our aircraft sustained no damage from flak or fighters on this mission.
