I. CHRONOLOGY
24 B-24’s took off at 0838 hours to bomb the loop in Brenner R/R Line. There was 1 early return. 23 a/c dropped 56.5 tons of 1,000 lb mixed RDX and GP bombs with .1 nose and .025 tail fuses at 1316 to 1324 hours from 21,400 to 23,200 feet. 15 returned to base at 1630 hours. None lost, 3 a/c missing, 4 a/c at friendly fields.

There were 23 effective sorties.

II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Departed San Vito on course at 1004 hours at 6,500 feet (1,500 feet lowerthan briefed because of weather) as the third group in the Wing line. Proceeded to control point (4532N-1244E) at 1210 hours at 22,300 feet, thence to turnpoint, Campotures (4656N-1157E), to turnpoint, Unt. Langenfeld (4704N-1058E). (Note: A direct route was flown between these last to turnpoints, no turn being made into turnpoint 4704N-1130E). Thence proceeded to turnpoint, Silandro (4638N-1047E), to I.P. Merano (4640N-111E), turning about 6 miles inside Merano to the West to make certain of avoiding the Bolzano flak area, to target, attacking on a heading of 50 degrees true. Bombing was done visually by individual boxes in trail. Rallied right in a wide swing to 90 degree heading and proceeded to turnpoint, Campotures (4656N-1157E), and thence on reciprocal of route out to base.

Broken clouds at 6,500 feet prevented formation from rendezvousing at breifed altitude of 8,000 feet. A 10/10 overcast at 14,000 feet from South Italy to Ancona prevented a normal climb. No clouds fron Ancona over North Italy and Alps. 1/10 middle level clouds with tops at 16,000 feet with visibility restricted by haze to about 20 miles over the target. On return it was clear to Venice area; 10/10 middle level clouds over the Adriatic, with ceilings becoming lower southward to 6,000 feet. Over South Italy low clouds down to 700 feet along coast and 1,800 feet inland caused formations to make final approach at excessively low altitude.

Rendezvous was made with 8 to 10 P-51’s at 4632N-1208E at 1231 hours at 22,500 feet. Escort was last seen in the target area at 1325 hours.

No radio jamming was reported.

III. RESULTS
Visual observation reported a good pattern between north and south lines from upper or eastern entrance to tunnel, eastwardly for 1,000 to 1,500 feet. (This is the area selected for bombing at briefing). There were also hits on tracks on the loop with bombs walking up to lower or western entrance to tunnel.

Photo coverage, very limited in scope, shows 2 bursts approximately 1,000 feet east of the upper or eastern tunnel mouth on the rail line. (Note this is within the briefed target area and where visual observation claims a good pattern and coverage). It also shows some bursts 2 miles south of the target.

IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE

A. Fighters: No enemy aircraft were sighted.

B. Flak: Flak at the target was S/M-I/A-H and of 2 to 4 minutes duration

[Losses: None. Damage: From flak — 7 (minor). Casualties: None.]

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