SPECIAL NARRATIVE REPORT No. 131
MISSION: 8 September 1944 - NIS West M/Y
I. CHRONOLOGY
28 B-24's took off at 0716 to 0745 hours to bomb NIS West M/Y. No early
returns. 28 a/c over target at 1006 to 1008 hours dropping 70 tons of 500
lb GP bombs with .1 nose and non-delay tail fuses from 20,000 to 22,000
feet. 28 a/c returned to base at 1205 hours. None lost, none missing, none
at friendly fields. There were 28 effective sorties.
II. ROUTE AND ASSAULT
Rendezvoused with the 450th Group over Manduria at 11,00 feet at 0840 hours
on course to San Vito where rendezvoused with 376th and 98th Groups. Proceeded
to keypoint Kolaj (4153N - 1929E) at 0919 hours at 16,000 feet, to control
point D. Ijupce (4248N - 2109E), to I.P. Leskovac (4300N - 2157E), to target,
attacking on a heading of 340 degrees true. Bombing was done visually by
individual boxes, the first two boxes comprising "A" section
on the aiming point farthest North, and the other two boxes comprising
"B" section on the aiming point second from North. Box B-2 bombed
before box B-1. Rallied right to turnpoint, Malce (4323N - 2203E), to turnpoint,
Leskovac (4300N -2157E), and thence on reciprocal course to base. Except
for scattered cirrus clouds at both Italian and Albanian coasts at 20,000
to 22,000 feet, entire route and target area was CAVU, with visibility
at all times over 8 miles. Escort of 30 P-38's rendezvoused at 4248N -
2109E at 0948 hours at 20,500 feet and departed at 4148N -1937E at 1112
hours at 12,000 feet. No radio jamming reported
III. RESULTS
Visual observation claimed very good pattern on the target with excellent
results, much black smoke and several explosions being seen. M/Y pretty
well filled with cars Photographic cover confirms visual observation, actually
showing better results than claimed. Both aiming points were covered with
excellent patterns, and very few bombs fell outside the target area. Tracks
to the north from the M/Y were also cut.
IV. ENEMY RESISTANCE
A. Fighers. No E/A were sighted.
B. Flak. Moderate, inaccurate to accurate flak was encountered at the target
for a period of 2 to 3 minutes.
[No losses. One aircraft slightly damaged by flak. Other damage: Plexiglass nose turret broken and in top turret hole made by something dropped from other a/c of formation. One man slightly wounded from flak.]