Mission Number: 16

Date: 28 Jan ’44

Target: Ferrarra, Italy M/Y

449th A/C Over Target: 28

Tons of Bombs Dropped: 69-3/4 GP

Flak: H-S-I

Enemy A/C Destroyed: 0

449th A/C Lost: 0

Results: Poor

Thirty-six B-24-H’s took off at 0756 to 0819 hours to bomb Ferrara M/Y. Six returned early. One because #1 & #3 engines cut out and in with fluctuation of manifold pressure at 22,000 feet. The second because booster motor in tail turret would not engage properly. The third because #1, #3, & #4 engines were cutting out at high altitude. The fourth because all four engines cut-out at 23,000 feet and then cut-in again at 12,000 feet. The fifth because superchargers on #3 & #4 engines cut out at high altitude. The sixth because of a leaky gas cap.

Twenty-eight dropped 69-3/4 tons of 500-lb (.1 & .025) GP bombs on target at 1137 hours from 22,800 to 24,400 feet. One dropped 2-1/2 tons of 500-lb GP bombs on 3 ships at 4452N – 1225E, a target of opportunity. One dropped 22 tons of 500-lb GP bombs on town of Portomaggiore (4442N – 1148E) a target of opportunity. One jettisoned 22 tons in Gulf of Manfredonia because it was returning to base. Thirty returned to base at 1345. None lost. None at friendly fields.

Rendezvoused with 450th Group at 0845 hours at 6000 feet over Grottaglie. Continued on course until IP (Rovigo) was reached, then made left turn onto target, attacking on axis of 210 degrees. Rallied left and continued on reciprocal course to base.

Visual observation reports a few hits in the target area. Bomb bursts in the town and north of the town. Dense black and grey smoke was seen to rise. Bombs were seen to hit choke point. A few bursts were noted in the M/Y. It was reported that the round house was also hit. One ship dropped on 3 ships in a harbor at 4452N – 1225E and missed. One ship dropped on a canal and road at 4442N – 1148E and observed hits. Photo coverage does not substantiate the above observations except in one instance. One bomb in target area.

Over target this group experienced slight, inaccurate, heavy flak. At Ancona slight, inaccurate, heavy flak was encountered.

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