I. CHRONOLOGY
36 B-24’s took off at 0745 hours to attack Straszhof M/Y but because of a solid undercast were forced to attack the Vienna/Florisdorf Oil Refinery by PFF methods. There were two early returns and three prior returns. 31 dropped on the target 58.25 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs with .1 nose and .01 tail fusing and 2 bombs per a/c with long delay from 6 to maximum hours fusing at 1239 hours from 22,000 to 25,500 feet. 2 jettisoned 4 tons and one dropped 1.25 tons on target of opportunity at Papa A/D (4720N-1730E) at 1140 hours from 24,500 feet. 12 dropped one leaflet bomb each in the target area. 33 returned to base at 1543 hours. None lost, none missing, and one at friendly fields.
There were 32 effective sorties and 2 non-effective sorties.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused with 450th Group as the third group in the Wing line at Manduria on course to San Vito at 7.000 feet at 0920 hours. Made a dog-leg to the left to 4104N-1706E to Split (4331N-1627E) to M. Bukovec (4617N-1644E), forced a bit to right of briefed route and turned at 4713N-1722E to avoid observed flak at Gyor, proceeded to Sabotiste (4844N – 1724E) to Hodonin (4851N-1708E) to IP at Poysdorf (4840N-1638E) and observing that primary target was cloud covered, continued on to 4832N-1618E and attacked the target on a heading of 170 degrees true. Bombing was done by PFF methods and by sections. Rallied sharp left and then right around Bratislava flak to Szenc (4814N-1725E) to reciprocal of route out to base.
Except for the Adriatic, the entire route was covered with 8/10 to 10/10 low clouds and 3/10 high clouds above the flight levle with visibility of over 30 miles. In the target area, visibility had lowered to 20 miles with 10/10 low clouds up to 30,000 feet. The base on return was clear with no difficulty experienced in let-down and landing.
No escort was provided althogh friendly fighters were sighted in the general target area.
No radio jamming was reported.
III. RESULTS
No results were observed because of the solid undercast but visual observations, confirmed by photographs, report dense, heavy columns of black smoke coming up through the undercast at 10,000 feet.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighters: None
B. Flak. None
[Losses: None. Damage : None. Casualties: None.]
