Mission Number: 45

Date: 15 Apr ’44

Target: Bucharest, Romania M/y

449th A/C Over Target: 32

Tons of Bombs Dropped: 79-1/4 GP

Flak: H-S-I

Enemy A/C Destroyed: 0

449th A/C Lost: 0

Results: Fair

Thirty-eight (38) B-24 G, H and J’s took off at 0814 – 0902 hours to bomb Bucharest M/Y. Six returned early. Thirty-two (32) dropped 793 tons of 500-lb bombs with .1 and .01 fuses at 1212 hours from 20,000 to 22,200 feet. Four (4) returned 83 tons to base. Three (3) jettisoned 72 tons. Thirty-two (32) returned at 1530 hours. None lost.

Rendy with 450th at Manduria at 6,000 feet at 0910 hours on course to San Vito Di Normanni, continued on briefed course to IP, made right turn in to target attacking on an axis of 124° T. The rally was right and the course on return to base was substantially as briefed, with the exception of slight deviation due to malfunction of compass in lead aircraft. 449th Group led the Wing formation. Escort on route out was met at 1050 hours as briefed.

Bombing was done by PFF, due to 10/10 coverage at the target. As a consequence no visual observations were reported, and no photos were obtained.

Fighters. Approximately 8 enemy fighters were seen in target area: ME-109’s, one FW-190, and one JU-88. There were no attacks on this group. One T/E A/C paralleled the formation prior to and in the target area flying low and to the left. Type not determined, possible ME-210 or JU-88.

Flak. Over the target slight, heavy, inaccurate flak was encountered.

[No losses, damage, casualties or victories.]

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