Twenty-eight B-24’s took off at 0541 to 0624 hours to bomb the Var River RR Bridge. One returned early with its 2-1/2 ton bomb load. Twenty-seven dropped 65.5 tons of 1,000-lb (.1 and .01 fuses) GP bombs on target at 1039 hours from 19,500 to 20,000 feet and jettisoned 2 tons in Mediterranean Sea. Twenty-seven returned to base at 1338 hours. None lost. None missing. None at friendly fields.

Rendezvoused with 376th Group at San Pan on course at 6,000 ft at 0701 Baker, and with 450th and 98th Group at San Vito. While crossing Italy was pushed to left and was 25 miles South of Lido. Made a corrected heading to key point, Revellati (4236N – 0843E), thence to water IP (4320N – 0730E), to target on heading of 332° True. Rallied sharp left to key point, Revellati, thence to base.

No escort was seen.

No radio interference was experienced.

Visual observation claimed the target area to be well covered with very good pattern with a few direct hits on the bridge itself.

Photo coverage confirmed an excellent pattern, with at least one direct hit on the bridge near the west end and several damaging near misses. The railroad lines were cut 200 ft from eastern end of bridge with 2 more near misses. There was 1 damaging hit and 2 near misses on road bridge 2,200 ft south of target.

[No enemy fighters]

Flak was generally reported as moderate, accurate and heavy over the target. The formation was subjected to this flak from 3 to 5 minutes.

[No losses. 5 slightly damaged from flak. No casualties.]

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