SPECIAL NARATIVE REPORT No. 224
MISSION: WIENER-NEUSTADT M/Y
DATE: 16 March 1945
I. CHRONOLOGY
40 B-24’s took off at 1032 – 1057 hours to bomb WIENER-NEUSTADT M/Y. Two returned early. 38 dropped 72 tons of 500 lb GP & RDX bombs on target at 1356 – 1359 hours from 21,500/24,100 feet.
One early return jettisoned 2 tons because of mechanical difficulties, the other early return returned 2 tons to base.
38 returned at 1640 hours. None lost, missing or at friendly fields.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Executed a remote ready over CAZZA (4246 N 1631 E), behind the 450th as the second group in the wing formation. Thence to SIBENIK (4344 N 1554 E) the IP ST. MARTIN (4734 N 1626 E) to the target attacking on an axis of 334° true. The rally was left to rally point G:PGGMOTZ (4740 N 1556 E) to SISAK (4530 N 1623 E) to SIBENIK (4344 N 1554 E) to base.
Rendy with 20 P-51’s at 1335 hours at (4746 N 1615 E) at 22,500′ , who departed at 1440 hours at (4530 N 1623 E) at 20,000 feet. 10 P-38’s were reported as rendezvousing at 1300 hours at (4500 N 1610 E) at 1,000′ and departing at 1440 hours at (4535 N 1620 E) at 20,000 feet.
Weather reported is as follows: Low visibility, but no low clouds over south Italy. Over Adriatic broken middle level clouds from 10,000′ to 18,000′ in several layers. This deck of clouds gradually decreased northward over Yugoslavia, becoming lightly scattered over southeastern Austria. At the target 2/10 middle level clouds from 14,000′ to 16,000′. Visibility over 30 miles. Wind at bombing altitude from 316° at 29 MPH.
On return middle clouds again increased over Adriatic but thinner then on route out. CAVU conditions over south. Italy and base on return.
III. RESULTS
Bomb strike photos show exellcent concentration of bombs on briefed aiming point.
Results by squadron are as follows:
719 Squadron (A-1): 72 bursts plotted. Main pattern of bursts have fallen from 300 to 800 feet east of briefed aiming point with at least 18 bursts in M/Y. Remainder of plotted bursts immediately North and South of M/Y.
718 Squadron (A-2): Approximately 46 bursts plotted. At least 15 bursts are plotted in M/Y immediately around aiming point up to 500′. Other bursts immediately North and South of aiming point. Plot of bursts hampered by rapid build-up of smoke from preceding Group and Squadron, however complete camera coverage indicated remainder of bursts are in immediate area around aging point.
717 Squadron (B-1): Only 11 bursts from this Squadron may be plotted with these bursts being outside smoke area. Very good camera coverage indicates bombs from this Squadron fell in smoke covered area immediately in and around M/Y.
716 Squadron (B-2): No bursts from this Squadron may be plotted, however, again complete camera coverage indicates bombs have fallen in the target. This is further substantiated by the extreme buildup of smoke shown on photos taken from last A/C over target.
Exceptionally good camera coverage on this mission substantiate claims that tombs fell in target area.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: None.
B. Flak –None.
V. CONCLUSIONS
None lost, None damaged, no casualties, no victories.
