Mission Number: 14

Date: 23 Jan ’44

Target: Perugia, Italy M/Y

449th A/C Over Target: 32

Tons of Bombs Dropped: 75 GP

Flak: H-M-I

Enemy A/C Destroyed: 0

449th A/C Lost: 0

Results: Fair

Thirty-six B-24-H’s took off to attack the M/Y at Perugia, Italy today. 32 A/C reached the target area. Because of a complete undercast no bombs were dropped on the assigned target. The following targets of opportunity were hit: (1) Porto Civitonova, 4318N – 1344E. Photos show one burst on the choke point at the south end of the M/Y. Approximately 30 bursts scattered throughout the town. 10 bursts 2,500 feet West of the town. 10 – 15 bursts scattered South of the town. This is the only target of opportunity having photo coverage. (2) Road and bridge near Cagli, 4334N – 1240E. Visual observation reports approximately 10 bombs in road and bridge. (3) M/Y north of Perugia. (4) Some hits on railroad warehouses at 4320N – 1343E. (5) Some hits on Umbertide, town directly North of Perugia. Smoke observed. (6) Visual observation of some hits on airstrip 2 miles south of Iesi. A total of 75 tons of 500 pound GP .1 and .025 bombs were dropped on the above targets at 1200 to 1315 hours from 20,000 feet. 2 A/C jettisoned their bombs at 1245, NE of target area from an altitude of 20,500 feet, through a solid overcast.

None of our aircraft is missing.

There were no attacks by enemy A/C.

Flak. a. 4237N – 1404E: Heavy, slight to moderate, not accurate. b. 4240N – 1350E: Heavy, moderate, very accurate. c. At Giulianova, 4245N – 1358E: Heavy, intense, very accurate. d. Mobile at 4240N – 1400E: Heavy, moderate, accurate.

Four A/C returned early, one because of runaway prop on #1 engine; one because of a leak in the hydraulic system in tail turret causing the fluid to obscure the vision of the gunner; one because of a bad oil leak in #3 engine; and the fourth because of flak damage sustained at 4240N – 1351E at 1155 hours. Flak hit on conduit and cut out autosyn instruments.

Weather over target 9/10 to 10/10 undercast.

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