5th BW Missions April 1944
April 1
Non operational
April 2
127 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups attacked the STEYR Ballbearing Plant, Austria. 8 B-17s were lost to enemy aircraft. The four Groups of B-17s, plus four Groups of B-24s attacking the same area, encountered 250/300 enemy aircraft. Our claims were 44 enemy aircraft destroyed and 14 possibly destroyed. Bomn strike photos were mostly smoke obscured but reconnaissance photographs indicate that the ball bearing plant is totally destroyed. One factory is gutted and the roof collapsed, while on the other only one quarter of the roof remains with many craters on and near the remaining walls suggesting severe damage within. Further intense damage was caused to the parking and dispatch buildings, the testing and assembly buildings.
37 B-17s of the 463rd Bomb Group, off on a freshma mission, dropped 87 tons of 500 pound bombs on BROD marshalling yards, Yugoslavia from 20,000 feet. Bomb strike photos show main concentration 250/500 yards south of the target and some hits between landing ground and river. 3 enemy aircraft were seen but there were no encounters. We suffered no losses.
April 3
112 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 331.75 tons of 500 pound bombs on the BUDAPEST/TOKOL aircraft factory, Hungary, at 1035/1041 hours from 21,000/23,300 feet. Approximately 35 enemy aircraft of various types were encountered in the target area, the attacks beginning 10 minutes before target and continuing to and through target and for 20 minutes thereafter. Bomber claims were 6 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 1 damaged against a loss of 2 B-17s to enemy aircraft and 2 B-17s to causes unknown. Photo reconnaissance shows 350 craters within the precincts of the factory. Bombs were very well concentrated in the target areanut, due to buildings being widely dispersed, some escaped serious damage. Building No. 3 (workshop) was severely damaged by several direct hits and near misses, one third of the roof having collapsed. Building Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (all workshops) received either direct hits or damaging near misses. No. 7 was very badly damaged. The offices are damaged by blast and a fire is seen burning in the main part of the flight hangar.
38 B-17s of the 463rd Bom Group dropped 113 tons of 500 pounders at 0951 hours on the BROD marshalling yards from 20,000 feet. No enemy aircraft were encountered, there was no flak and none of our aircraft were lost. Bomb strike photos show 8 bursts 2000 feet east of the choke point, the remaining bombs dropping SE of the target and 3000 feet SE of the choke point.
April 4
93 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st bomb groups attacked the marshalling yards at BUCHAREST, Roumania. 16 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group lost the bulk of the formation in bad weather and returned bombs to base and an additional 11 B-17s returned early. Our formation, plus 220 B-24s, were attacked by 75/100 enemy aircraft. B-17s claim 12 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 3 damaged. No-B-17s were lost. B-24s were over the target first and our groups bombed through smoke, therefore bomb strike photos were obscured. Photo reconnaissance photos show that the main weight of bombs by B-24s and B-17s was well concentrated from one end of the yards to the other, causing immense damage.
April 5
117 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st bomb groups were dispatched to attack the PLOESTI marshalling yards. 19 B-17s returned early. Our bombers encouontered about 10 enemy aircraft and destroyed 2 for a loss of 3. 1 B-17 was lost to intense, accurate, heavy flak, 1 was lost to fighters and another lost, cause unknown. Bomb strike photos show that the target suffered considerable damage to its constituent sections, the sidings were covered with incendiaries and rolling stock nearby was also well covered. 500 pound GP bombs fell in the repair shop area, and on a nearby munitions factory. Oil refineries also were damaged by direct hits.
39 B-17s of the 463rd Bomb Group were dispatched to attack the NIS marshalling yards. Bomb strike photos are not available but visual observation shows that many bombs hit the target. A big explosion occurred in the workshop area and smoke and flames rose from target. There were no encounters but flak was reported as being moderate, accurate, heavy. We suffered no losses.
April 6
39 B-17s of the 463rd Bomb Group were dispatched to attack ZAGREB airdrome but doe to adverse weather conditions bombs were either jettisoned or returned to base. This group remained in the target area for approximately 30 minutes in an endeavor to locate the target through the overcast but all to ni avail. 30/40 enemy aircraft were encountered immediately after the escort left. We lost 2 B-17s to enemy aircraft. Two enemy fighters were probably destroyed.
April 7
161 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and the 301st and 463rd bomb groups, 2 early returns, attacked the TREVISO marshalling yards, dropping 393 tons of 500 pound GP bombs and 52.25 tons of 100 pound incendiaries at 1324/1329 hours from 21,000/24,600 feet. Flak was moderate to intense, accurate, heavy and a number of aircraft were holed. 15/20 enemy aircraft were seen but there were no encounters. 1 B-17 ditched, probably as a result of flak, and the crew was rescued. Bomb strike photos show a concentration of hits to the east of the marshalling yards and one the south edge with strikes carrying across the yard starting from the river bend. In addition, strikes crossed the north end falling among cars. Direct hits were made on the north end of the marshalling yards probably cutting tracks while direct hits were scored on the goods depot, passenger station, train sheds and at the choke point on the south end of the yard. Other hits are noted near road underpass probably blocking it, which will mean additional time lost on repairs. The viaduct over the south end of the yards was possibly hit.
April 8
162 B-17s took off to bomb the aircraft components factory at FISCHAMEND MARKT, Austria, but were recalled due to adverse weather conditions.
April 9
Non operational due to weather.
April 10
Non operational due to weather.
April 11
Non operational due to weather.
April 12
185 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st and 463rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack FISCHAMEND MARKT, aircraft factory, 13 aircraft returned early. 172 B-17s dropped 423 tons of 500 pound GP bombs and 42.5 tons of 72 pound incendiaries from 20,500/25,400 feet. 1 B-17 was lost to flak. 10/15 enemy aircraft were encountered, 2 of which were destroyed and 3 probably destroyed. Bomb strike photos show direct hits on the three aircraft components shops. The store, boiler house, small building adjacent to the southern component, and another plant was hit. The residential area from the north end of the factory to the river ws well hit plus the Schwechat/Regelsbrunn railroad to the north of the factory.
39 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group were dispatched, without fighter escort, to attack the Split Cement Plant at SPLIT, Yugoslavia. 36 aircraft dropped 103 tons of 500 pount GP bombs at 1043 hours from 21,000 feet. 1 aircraft returned early, 2 others jettisoned near target. Flak was light, accurate, heavy and there were no enemy aircraft encountered. We suffered no losses. Bomb strike photos show a good concentration on the cement plant. Direct hits were made in buildings in the east half of the plant and a small concentration fell on buildings in the northwest corner. Hits were also scored on the railroad running to Split and on sidings near the factory. This was the freshman mission of this group.
April 13
177 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st and 463rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the Gyor airdrome, the aircraft factory and the wagon works at GYOR, Hungary. 11 aircraft returned early. 163 B-17s dropped 385.74 tons of bombs at 1147/1156 hours from 21,000/25,700 feet. 3 aircraft jettisoned. Slight inaccurate heavy flak was encountered and 20/30 enemy aircraft were encountered. Bombers claimed 5 enemy aircraft destroyed, 1 probably destroyed, while 4 B-17s were lost to enemy aircraft. Bomb strike photos show that both hangars were hit and a large building at the northwest corner received a heavy concentration of frag bombs and probable direct hits with GP bombs. The labor camp was well covered with frag bombs and one building was partially demolished by GP bombs. The landing area between the main runway and hangar line is well post holed. There were 44 aircraft present of which 9 are claimed destroyed and 8 more damaged. The wagon and machinery works showed excellent coverage with direct hits on practically all of the principle buildings. The alcohol refinery to the south of the wagon works has also been hit severely and the gas works to the west was well covered and at least one gas holder blew up.
38 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group were dispatched to attack the BROD marshalling yards,, Yugoslavia. 4 aircraft returned early. 34 aircraft dropped 97 tons of 500 poun GP bombs at 1049 hours from 21,000/22,000 feet. This group was unescorted. Flak was slight, inaccurate, heavy. There were no encounters, no claims and no losses. Bomb strike photos show excellent coverage of the target with a string of bombs starting in the southeast corner and there were direct hits on the factory and stacked stores in this area. The east choke point was heavily hit and the repair sheds in the northeast corner of the yards were also hit and the turntable probably damaged. The west choke point was hit and through tracks cut. There were two minor explosions among rolling stock in the central part of the yards and several fires in the industrial area souoth of the marshalling yards. Thisd was the second mission for this group.
April 14
Non operational due to weather.
April 15
188 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st and 463rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the Ploesti marshalling yards, Roumania. 13 aircraft returned early. 35 aircraft of the 463rd Bomb Group returned bombs to base and 2 aircraft of the 97th Bomb Group jettisoned. 138 aircraft dropped 321 tons of bombs at 1234/1240 hours from 19,600/26,400 feet. Flak was reported as moderate, inaccurate but one group had 17 aircraft holed. A formation of 10 enemy aircraft made one pass resulting in one enemy aircraft destroyed. 3 B-17s were lost to flak and 1 to causes unknown. Bombing was by instruments through 10/10ths cloud and results were no observed but smoke was seen coming up through the overcast to 15,000 feet.
41 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group were dispatched to attack NIS marshalling yards, Yugoslavia. There were no early returns but 2 aircraft jettisoned owing to malfunction of bomb bay doors. 39 B-17s dropped 109 tons of 500 pound bombs at 1201 hours from 20,500/22,500 feet. 1 B-17 was lost to moderate, accurate, heavy flak. Bomb strike photos show a few hits on tracks but bombing was generally poor.
April 16
103 B-17s of the 99th, 301st and 463rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the aircraft factory at BRASOV, Roumania, but, due to weather, were forced to attack an alternate target, the Belgrade/Rogosarski Aircraft Factory at BELGRADE, Yugoslavia. 11 aircraft returned early. 89 aircraft dropped 265 tons of 500 pound bombs at 1217/1220 hours from 18,500/23,500 feet. 1 aircraft was lost to flak.
33 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group, due to navigational difficulties caused primarily by weather, did not locate the target and returned bombs to base. This group had no encounters but suffered 1 loss, cause unknown.
Bomb strike photos of the Belgrade area show the main concentration of hits on Zemun Airdrome with strings crossing the south section of the hangar line running into Rogosarski Aircraft Factory with one direct hit on the southeast part of the factory. Damage was done to hangars, shops and barracks on the south section of the hangar line where fire obscured detailed interpretation.
35 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group found their primary target, the TURNUL SEVERIN marshalling yards, overcast. 26 aircraft returned early due to weather and 9 others dropped 27 tons of 500 pound bombs on NIS marshalling yards in Yugoslavia. 1 B-17 was lost to flak. Bombing was poor.
April 17
132 B-17s of the 2nd, 301st, 463rd and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the Sava marshalling yards at BELGRADE, Yugoslavia. 7 aircraft returned early. 125 aircraft dropped 373.25 tons of 500 pound GP bombs at 1156/1205 hours from 18,000/25.700 feet. No enemy aircraft were seen. Flak was moderate to intense and accurate. There were no losses. Bomb strike photos show very good coverage of the entire marshalling yars. Direct hits were seen on warehouses abd train sheds at teh north end of the yards, also on the north wing of the station. There is extensive destruction of rolling stock and all tracks entering the yards from the south are cut. The barge terminal on the Sava was well covered and severely damaged. 2 of the 3 warehouses to the west of the marshalling yards were demolished with a severe oil fire burning in the center of the warehouse. There were 1 or 2 direct hits on the roundhouse and extensive damage to RR shops to the northeast and southwest. The RR bridge across the Sava has received a few direct hits.
27 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group were dispatched to attack the Belgrade/Rogozarski airdrome and aircraft factory at BELGRADE, Yugoslavia, dropping 81 tons of 500 pound RDX bombs at 1206 hours from 21,500 feet. No enemy aircraft were seen and flak was slight and inaccurate. There were no losses. Bomb strike photos show many direct hits and near misses on the factory itself. At least 5 hangars to the west of the airdrome were hit and drome and runway was post holed. 4 multi-engined, 3 twin-engined and 2 single-engined aircraft were possibly destroyed on the ground.
34 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group were dispatched, 1 returning early, to attack the Belgrade/Ikarus aircraft factory at BELGRADE, Yugoslavia. 33 aircraft dropped 98.75 tons of 500 pound RDX bombs at 1217 hours from 18,000 feet. No enemy aircraft were seen or encountered. Flak was moderate. There were no losses. Bomb strike photos are almost completely cloud covered but bombs appear to have fallen in the city area. A dense column of smoke is seen coming up through the overcast, apparently from a point at the junction of the Sava and Danube Rivers, possibly the result of a direct hit on the munitions barge.
April 18
Non operational due to weather.
April 19
Non operational due to weather.
April 20
38 B-17s of the 463rd Bomb Group were dispatched to attack the marshalling yards at VICENZA, Italy. There were no early returns. 9 aircraft dropped 25 tons of 500 pound GP bombs at 1330 hours from 21,000 feet. 25 aircraft returned bombs to base and 4 aircraft jettisoned. No losses and no claims. Cloud coverage prevented observation and photogrpahs.
36 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group were dispatched to attack the marshalling yards at ANCONA, Italy. 1 aircraft returned early and 1 aircraft jettisoned. 34 aircraft dropped 102 tons of 500 pount bombs at 1351 hours from 22,000 feet. There were no claims or losses. Hits and near misses on the west end of the locomotive and car sheds; station and warehouses to the east and west were probably completely destroyed; hits in the fort south of the station; scattered hits in marshalling yards damaging isolated rolling stock; concentration of bombs in the northeastern end of the marshalling yards damaging buildings and sheds; hits in gas works area and near misses on large underground storage tank just to the east.
36 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group found their primary target obscured and dropped 108 tons of 500 pound bombs on the harbor and shipping at VENICE, Italy at 1313 hours from 22,000 feet. There were no claims and no losses. Several near misses were scored on a passenger liner but the vessel is not believed to be damaged. Many hits on sand spit to the east of the vessel with damage to small residential buildings and highway.
107 B-17s of the 2nd, 301st and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack communication targets in northern Italy but were forced to return bombs to base because of unoperational weather - rather an expensive weather report.
April 21
Bombers were recalled due to adverse weather at the target.
April 22
Non operational due to weather.
April 23
222 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st, 463rd and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the Wiener Neustadt aircraft factory at WIENER NEUSTADT, Austria. 48 aircraft returned early which includes 39 aircraft of the 2nd Bomb Group which turned back due to route weather. 171 B-17s dropped 513 tons of 500 pound "Comp B" bombs between 1426/1440 hours from 22,000/23,000 feet. 3 aircraft jettisoned. Photo reconnaissance shows severe fresh damage inflicted. All primary objectives were hit. Direct hits and several close misses have inflicted severe structural damage and considerable damage by blast on a large machine shop in the northwest corner. Work shop in the southeast corer sustained severe fresh damage. The main shop shows fresh roof damage and the eastern extension has sustained at least two damaging hits in the center and also blast damage. The assembly shop has suffered probable direct hits and shows extensive roof damage. 20/25 enemy aircraft were encountered in the target area which attacked during the bomb run and for a short period thereafter. Bombers claim 9 enemy aircraft destroyed and 2 probably destroyed. 1 B-17 was lost to flak and another to enemy aircraft.
April 24
166 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st and 463rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the soouth marshalling yards at PLOESTI, Roumania. 9 aircraft returned early. 153 B-17s dropped 459 tons of 500 pound bombs on target at 1150/1158 hours. Bomb strike photos show heaviest concentration in central section of marshalling yards and on tracks to the south and east of the roundhouse. There was extensive damage done to rolling stock and tracks. Many explosions were noted. Strings fell across the railroad junction southeast of the roundhouse into oil refineries east and northeast of the roundhouse. A few direct hits on track and rolling stock to the southeast of the tank repair shop are seen. A very successful mission. 40/50 enemy aircraft were encountered all types, of which 4 were claimed destroyed, 14 probably destroyed and 1 damaged. Flak was intense and accurate. 3 B-17s were lost to enemy aircraft.
23 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group were dispatched to attack the Ikarus aircraft factory at BELGRADE, Yugoslavia. 3 aircraft returned early. 19 B-17s dropped 56.5 tons of 500 pound bombs at 1213 hours from 23,000/24,000 feet. Partial bomb strike photos show direct hits on each end of Zemun station and several hits in the marshalling yards. Direct hits and several near misses scored on large building at the south end of the factory area, and direct hits on a large building to the west of the factory area. There were no encounters and no losses.
5 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group were dispatched to attack the RIMINI-ANCONA railroad, dropping 8.5 tons of 1000 pound "Comp B" bombs at 1406 hours from 18,000 feet. Three bombs hit in the factory area near Pesano River Bridge; 2 hits scored on the road adjacent to track and 3 hits are near tracks north of Senigali River Bridge. Some bombs fell in the vicinity of the Esino River Bridge and on the south approach to one of the bridges 1 bomb caused severe damage.
April 25
174 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st, 463rd and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack communication targets in northern Italy. 3 B-17s returned early and the remainder, encountering bad weather enroute, turned back before reaching the target. No enemy aircraft were encountered and there were no losses.
April 26
Non operational due to weather.
April 27
Non operational due to weather.
April 28
197 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st, 463rd and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the port and harbor installations at PIOMBINO, Italy. 9 B-17s returned early. 188 aircraft dropped 563.25 tons of 500 pound bombs between 1406/1456 hours from 19,000/23,000 feet. Bomb strike photos show entire target area well covered with heaviest damage in the north half. Additional severe damage was done to the steel works, adjacent blast furnaces and coke works. Probable severe damage was done to the tin plate mill. Direct hits on both power stations. At least 7 buildings in the barracks area to the northeast of the steel works were partially destroyed. Severe damage done to railroad, main tracks and sidings. The quay between the north and south jetties were damaged with several direct hits in the coal storage area. 6 ME-109s were encountered by the 2nd Bomb Group. 1 FW-190 which attacked the 99th Bomb Group from head on was destroyed. 1 B-17 was lost.
April 29
191 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st, 463rd and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the Toulon Naval Base, TOULON, France. 8 B-17s returned early and 5 jettisoned or returned bombs to base. 178 B-17s dropped 532.5 tons of 1000 bombs at 1144/1155 hours from 19,600/25,100 feet. 12 enemy aircraft were encountered but were driven off the bombers by the escort. There were no claims and no losses. An effective chemical smoke screen prevented visual observation of results and photo interpretation of bomb strike photos is difficult. These show: barracks and repair shops along the west side of Missiessy basin and possibly into dry docks at the north end hit; hits in city north of this basin and across the western end of the new basin possibly damaging repair shops and arsenal. Bombs fell in the southern half of the double dry dock in the northeast corner of La Seyne Bay. There was a string of hits across the peninsula southeast of the submarine station in Lazaret Bay as well as hits among barracks and in the port on the southeast tip of the peninsula.
April 30
56 B-17s of the 301st and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the Milan/Bresso aircraft factory, MILAN, Italy. 2 aircraft returned early and 1 jettisoned. 53 B-17s dropped 157.50 tons of 500 pound bombs at 1200 hours from 22,000/23,500 feet. 5 enemy aircraft were encountered of which 1 was destroyed. Very little flak was experienced. We suffered 1 loss. Bomb strike photos show a heavy concentration on the large main building. Direct hits on two smaller adjacent buildings on the west were scored. Direct hits were counted on three probably administrative buildings in the southeast corner and on three of the hangars on the east hangar line. 57 aircraft were seen on the ground, 10 of which were destroyed and 9 damaged. This was a most successful mission.
71 B-17s of the 99th and 463rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the aircraft factory at VARESE, Italy. 1 aircraft returned early and 1 had to jettison. 67 aircraft dropped 201 tons of 500 pound bombs between 1207/1211 hours from 20,500/23,500 feet. 20/30 enemy aircraft were encountered in the target area, some rocket firing. 8 enemy aircraft were destroyed, one probably destroyed and one damaged. We lost 3 B-17s but the entire crew of one was safe. 5 of other were picked up by air-sea rescue and 8 chutes were seen from one aircraft downed in the target area. Bomb strike photos show target area very well covered.
66 B-17s of the 2nd and 97th bomb groups were dispatched to attack Reggio Emilia airdrome. 6 aircraft returned early and one aircraft jettisoned. 59 B-17s dropped 8528 x 20 pound fragmentation bombs (85.23 tons) at 1228/1232 hours from 21,000/25,000 feet. No enemy aircraft were encountered and flak was negligible. There were no losses. Bomb strike photos show direct hits on both hangars and on the work shop. A heavy concentration of hits across the SE section of the aircraft factory. Bombs fell in the easterly half of the marshalling yard carrying south and sooutheast into the city. The southerly half of the landing area was well covered. There were 53 aircraft present on the airdrome, 12 of which were destroyed and 8 were damaged. All three missions today were quite successful.