I. CHRONOLOGY
28 B-24’s took off at 0605 hours to bomb FERRARA R?R Bridge. 3 early returns jettisoned 7.5 tons. 25 dropped on target 62.5 tons of 1,000 lb GP bombs fused with .1 nose and non-delay tail at 1010 hours from 22,100 to 23,800 feet. 21 returned to base at 1222 hours. None lost, none missing, 4 at friendly fields. One of these returned at 1415 hours and ferried back crew of another a/c which was left in damaged condition at friendly field.

II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused at Manduria on course to San Vito at 6,000 feet at 0745 hours in line behind the 450th and 98th Groups and leading second wave with 376th Group. Proceeded to keypoint at 4350N – 1350E, to turnpoint at 4500N – 1235 E to I.P. to target, attacking on a heading of 250 degrees true. Rallied sharp left and proceeded to Porto Garibaldi (4441N – 1214E) to keypoint at 4350N – 1350E to base. Weather was 4/10 cumulus at 6,000 feet over base at take off but no difficulty was experienced in take off and rendezvous. No difficulty experienced along route or over target due to weather. At target there was 1/10 cumulus base at 7,000 to 8000 feet and 1/10 cumulus with base of 6,000 feet over field. Rendezvoused with approximately 25 P-38’s at 4500N – 1230E at 1000 hours. Escort departed at 4430N – 1240E at 1025 hours. No radio jamming was reported.

III. RESULTS
Target was obscured by heavy dust and smoke but visual reports are that bombs hit in center of dust and smoke. Bombs of one box fell to south of target in M/Y and sugar factory area..

IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighers. No E/A were sighted.
B. Flak. Over the target, flak was I-A-H and of 3 to 5 minutes duration, aimed and black in color.

[No losses. 19 ships damaged from flak (16 minor and 3 serious). 1 man seriously wounded from flak.

Pin It on Pinterest