SPECIAL NARRATIVE REPORT NO. 138
MISSION: Kraljevo Railroad Bridge
Date: 19 September 1944
I. Chronology
28 B-24's took off at 0715 to 0732 hours to bomb the emergency railroad
bridge at Kraljevo, Yugoslavia. None returned early. 27 dropped 66.75 tons
of 500 lb (.1 and non-delay) RDX bombs on target at 1006 hours from 18,000
feet. 1 returned 2.5 bombs to base and 1 jettisoned .75 tons of bombs.
28 returned to base at 1135 hours. None lost. None missing. None at friendly
fields. 27 effective sorties were flown.
II. Route and Assault
Rendezvoused with 98th Group, 450th Group, and 376th Group on course to
San Vito. This formation passed over San Vito at 0858 hours at 11,000 feet.
The course then lay to Draskovina (4310N - 1938E) at 18,000 feet. At this
point the 449th and 450th Groups proceeded to Cacak (4354N - 2022E) their
IP; thence to target. From Draskovina the 98th and 376th Groups proceeded
to their assigned IP and target. The attack was made on an axis of 120
degrees True and the rally was right to Draskovina (4310N - 1938E); thence
directly to base. No escort was briefed for this mission.
III. Results.
A-1 box missed target due to bomb sight malfunction. Its bombs struck the
bridge at 16/E (TC 8-2 NA) destroying it and cutting the rail line both
to North and South of bridge. The remaining three boxes placed a good concentration
on the primary target and its adjacent and previously destroyed bridge.
Both approaches to the primary target were cut.
IV. Enemy Resistance
A. Fighters: One twin engine unidentified fighter approached this formation
at Cacak (4354N - 2022E) from 11 o'clock high at 1000 hours. The E/A headed
for A/C #6 in the "B" section. It closed to 400 yards when it
was fired upon by our A/C. The E/A passed underneath and to the left of
the section, expoding 400 yards from the formation at 5:30 o'clock low.
B. Flak: None.
[No losses. No damage. No casualties. Victories - 1 T/E unidentified A/C destroyed.]