Mission Number: 47

Date: 17 Apr ’44

Target: Sofia, Bulgaria M/Y

449th A/C Over Target: 31

Tons of Bombs Dropped: 47-1/5 GP

Flak: H-M-I

Enemy A/C Destroyed: 0

449th A/C Lost: 0

Results: Fair

Thirty-seven B-24 G, H, and J’s took off at 0906 – 0931 hours to bomb Sofia M/Y. Two returned early. Thirty-one dropped 47.2 tons of 100-lb clustered bombs of .1 and .01 fusing at 1214 – 1220 hours on the target. The early returns brought back 3.2 tons. Four jettisoned 7.8 tons. None lost.

Rendy with 450th at Manduria at 8,000 feet at 1019 hours on course to San Vito Di Normanni, continued on course to Lake Scutari, to Leskovac to the IP from which the target was attacked on an axis of 150° True. The rally was right and the course on return to base was substantially as briefed. Escort on route out was met at 1053 hours as briefed.

Visual observation of results was good. Returning crews claimed the M/Y was well hit. One aircraft attacked the NW M/Y and claimed hits on it. One plane attacked a train, freight cars and some oil tanks. Two oil tanks were hit and smoke shot up to 8,000 feet. The attack was made from 2,000 feet with .50 caliber M/G and took place at 4245N – 2105E. Bomb strike photos show considerable smoke over the M/Y and disclose some bursts in Sofia. Fifty bursts appear in the railroad yard and repair shops.

Fighters. Six to ten enemy fighters were seen. Two were FW-190’s. Four to eight ME-109’s were seen. Three ME-109’s made one pass from the rear at this formation. They attacked from down under the formation and did not return.

Flak. Moderate, inaccurate, heavy flak, both barrage and aimed, was experienced at the target.

[Total losses: none. No damage or casualties. One ME-109 claimed as probably destroyed.]

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