Mission Number: 21

Date: 4 Feb ’44

Target: Toulon, France Harbor

449th A/C Over Target: 24

Tons of Bombs Dropped: 0

Flak: None

Enemy A/C Destroyed: 0

449th A/C Lost: 0

Results: None

Twenty-nine B-24H’s took off at 0833 hours to bomb Harbor Installations at Toulon, France. Five returned early, of which 4 jettisoned their bombs. The other 24 returned to base at 1325 with their bomb loads of ten 500-lb (.1 & .025) GP bombs because of the weather, following the lead of the 376th Group. None lost. None at friendly bases.

Rendezvoused with 376th Group at 0920 hours at 7,000 feet over Lecce. Both Groups rendezvoused with the 98th and 450th Groups at 0940 hours at 7,000 feet over Martina Franca. Continued on course in general over Isle of Capri to 4055N – 1218E. From that point a wide sweeping curved flight line to the north and east brought the planes near the Allied bridgehead below Rome. Another sweeping turn towards the north and east brought the formation to 4200N – 1313E from which point a 180° turn towards the west and a southerly course brought the formation out over the Gulf of Gaeta. The formation again crossed the coast just above Castel Volturno and returned to base. Changes in direction were made continuously after leaving the briefed course.

Results: None.

Encountered slight accurate heavy flak in the Rome area, some of the bursts emitting red smoke. [No fighters. No losses, damage or casualties.]

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