5th BW Missions August 1943
August 1 - A/D, Docks & Shipping: Naples, Italy
A large fleet of Fortresses resumer operations after a short lull during which the Allied Hq. warned the Bagdolio government of the devastating bombardment of Italy if there was no attempt to seek peace terms. The Forts, escorted by P-38s, attacked Naples proper and the airfield at Capodichino. At Naples, two transports at the docks and a seaplane base received direct hits. A railroad station and the gas works were completely destroyed. A large oil dump was blown up. In all, 181 tons of bombs were dropped. 15-20 enemy fighters attacked the B-17s over the city....8 were shot down.
August 4 - Docks & Shipping: Naples, Italy
A formation of Forts returned to Naples unescorted and blanketed the submarine base, leaving one merchant vessel ablaze. The B-17s had to fight their way through flak and force of 30 enemy fighters of which 3 were destroyed.
August 5 - Cross Roads: Messina, Italy
77 Fortresses, escorted by P-38s, covered the docks and industrial area at Messina.
August 6 - Cross Roads: Messina, Italy
54 Forts returned to Messina without escort and pin-pointed their bombs on road junctions inthe terminus area. Anti-aircraft fire was negligible and no enemy fighters were met.
August 11 - M/Y: Terni, Italy
40 B-17s bombed the gas works, RR Yards and the Royal Arms factory at Terni... a vital communication center in the heart of Italy. Violent explosions were observed. Enemy fighters were scared off.
August 13 - M/Y: Rome, Italy
106 B-17s attacked the Lorenzo marshalling yards in the center of Rome. Tracks were torn up, rolling stock destroyed and burned, repair shops and industrial buildings badly damaged. Many enemy aircraft were fought off....two were destroyed.
August 17 - Four A/Ds: Marseilles, France
180 Forts covered the airdromes at Istres le Tube and Salon in Southern France. Many fires and explosions were observed throughout both taret areas.
August 19 - M/Y & Power Station: Foggia, Italy
162 Fortresses flew over to Foggia...vital rail and communication link on the eastern side of southern Italy. Severe damage was caused to the marshalling yards and electric sub-station. Many explosions and fires were observed. One oil dum received a direct hit.
August 25 - S/LGs: Foggia, Italy
135 Forts dumped loads on Foggia airdrome and satellites immediately following a straffing attack by 140 P-38s. Fires were started among scores of aircraft on the ground and many buildingsand hangars were destroyed. 37 enemy fighters were destroyed by the 99th Bomb Gp.
August 26 - A/D: Capau, Italy
82 B-17s smashed 16 and damaged many other parked aircraft on the Capua airdrome. Fuel stores, hangars, barracks and installations were covered with bombs. 2 terrific explosions were observed on oil dumps.
August 27 M/Y: Sulmona, Italy
52 Forts devastated the marshalling yards at Sulmona.
August 28 - M/Y: Terni, Italy
76 B-17s, escorted by P-38s, dropped 228 tons of bombs on the marshalling yards at Terni. Many railroad lines leading out of the yards were cut and much samage was caused among all the buildings in the area including iron and steel works adjacent to the yards.
August 29 - M/Y: Orte, Italy
39 B-17s, escorted by P-38s, dropped 117 tons of bombs on the marshalling yards at Orte. Direct hits and near misses were scored on the station, spur tracks, rolling stock and train sheds. A couple of trains were completely destroyed. 30 enemy aircraft came after the Forts in a running attack in which out gunners destroyed one and probably destroyed 5 others.
August 30 - A/D: Viterbo, Italy
35 Forts, escorted by P-38s, dropped 50 tons of frags on the airdrome at Viterbo. 19 out of 72 parked aircraft were destroyed and hits were also concentrated on Hangars, administration buildings and servicing sheds on the field.