I. CHRONOLOGY

32 B-24’s took off at 0753-0819 hours to bomb Spilimbergo Ammunition Factory. None returned early. 31 dropped 76.75 tons of 500 lb RDX bombs on target at 1155 hours from 18,000 to 20,300 feet. 1 jettisoned 2-1/2 tons at 4614N-1316E accidentally. 32 returned to base at 1448 hours. None lost, missing or at friendly fields.

II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused over Manduria with the 450th Group on course to San Vito, thence to 4340N-1340E to Dobrinj (4508N-1437E) to V. Lasce (4550N-1439E) to Stara Fuzina (4617N-1354E) to IP, Saga (4618N-1329E) to target, attacking on an axis of 248 degrees true. The rally was right to the rally point Prato Carnico (4632N-1248E) to Weiszen Lake (4644N-1316E) to V. Lasce (4550N-1439E) to base.

Rendezvoused with 8 to 25 P-38’s from 1129 to 1138 hours from 4550N-1440E to 4618N-1329E. Escort departed at 1304 hours at 4553N-1516E.

On route out there were broken low and scattered middle clouds over south Italy. Low clouds decreased on route out, but middle clouds continued as scattered throughout the route. At the target there was 6/10 middle level clouds with tops to 16,000 feet and scattered hih clouds at 20,000 feet. Visibility 25 miles. Wind at bombing altitute from 045 degrees at 45 MPH. ( The reports of winds at target varied widely). On return scattered low clouds over South Italy and southern Adriatic with broken middle clouds ablve 10,000 feet. Ceiling and visibility over base on return were good.

III. RESULTS

Bomb strike photos show:

A-1 (717th Sq) — Due to heavy smoke over target area only 10 bursts may be plotted. These bursts are in open area 1,000 feet north of aiming point.

A-2 (716th Sq) — Again heavy smoke obscured bomb bursts and only 13 bursts may be plotted from 1,000 to 1,200 feet west of target.

B-1 (719th Sq) — Only 4 bursts may be plotted 1,000 feet west of aiming point. Smoke over target obscures other bursts.

B-2 (718th Sq) — Due to smoke obscuring target bombardier elected to change aiming point to main factory area. 59 bursts are plotted in factory area with many hits on buildings and installations.

In the case of A-1, A-2 and B-1 complete camera coverage indicates that the unplotted bursts are in smoke obscured area, as evidenced by an intense build-up of smoke after the 717th, 716th and 719th Squadrons had completed their runs.

IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE

A. Fighters: No E/A were seen.

B. Flak: No flak was seen.

[Losses: None. Damage: None. Casualties: None.]

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