5th BW Missions December 1943
December 1 - Ball Bearing & Fiat Aero-Engine Factories: Turin, Italy
17 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group dropped 51 tons of 500 lb. bombs and 31 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 96 tons of 500 lb. bombs on the Fiat Aero Engine Works, Turin, Italy. The 99th Group encountered 13 ebemy aircraft; 6 ME-109s were destroyed. 31 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 93 tons of 500 lb. bombs and 38 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 114 tons of 1000 lb. bombs on the Ball-bering Works at Turin, Italy. Both targets were very well covered, causing considerable damage to ball-bearing works, locomotive sheds, rolling stock, railroad M/Ys and highway bridges. There was also a concentration of hits in the Motor Works area. 36 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group furnished escort to Turin Ball-bearing Works. The P-38s encountered 25/30 enemy aircraft - combat lasted approximately 30 minutes. While fighters were engaged in combat, another group of enemy aircraft were seen to engage bombers. As a result of the fighter combat, 1 enemy aircraft was destroyed and 1 was probably destroyed. 1 P-38 crash-landed at its home base. All B-17s returned safely.
December 2 - Submarine Pens: Marseilles, France
16 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group dropped 48 tons of 1000 lb. bombs and 30 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 90 tons of 1000 lb. bombs on the submarine pens and docks at Marseilles, France. Bomb-strike photos and subsequent reconnaissance photos showed extensive damage to docks, shipping and installations. A most successful mission. The 301st Group encountered 20/25 enemy aircraft resulting in 4 ME-109s destroyed. The 97th Group encountered 15 enemy aircraft of which 4 ME-109s were destroyed. We suffered no losses. 30 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group furnished escort, intercepting 12/15 FW-190s of which 2 were destroyed.
December 6 - Kalamaki A/D: Athens, Greece; M/Y & RR/BDG: Grizzano, Italy
23 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group dropped 69 tons of 500 lb. bombs and 33 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 47.52 tons of 20 lb. fragmentation bombs on Athens/Kalamaki A/D, Greece. 10/12 enemy aircraft were encountered of which 7 ME-109s were destroyed. Bombstrike photos showed that the hangars and installations were well covered. 14 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
December 8 - Eleusis A/D: Athens, Greece; Docks & Shipping: Porto San Stefano, Italy; RR/BDGs: Ortetello/Montalto Di Castro, Italy
22 B-17s, 301st Bomb Group, dropped 30 tons of 20 lb. fragmentation bombs and 37 B-17s, 97th Bomb Group, dropped 53.28 tons of 20 lb. fragmentation bombs on Athens/Eleusis A/D, Greece. Bomb-strike photos revealed a heavy concentration of hits throughout the easterly half of the A/D, causing extensive damage to servicing facilities, installations and buildings. 12 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. No enemy aircraft encountered. We lost 1 B-17, cause unknown. 21 B-17s, 99th Bomb Group, dropped 63 tons of 500 lb. bombs on San Stefano Harbor, Italy from 3500 feet. Bomb-strike photographs revealed the presence of one M/T boat and 6 landing-type craft, all of which were destroyed. There were an additional 40/50 medium size craft present, 25/30 of which were destroyed. Docks, warehouses, stacked stores, railroad lines and a number of buildings of the town area were destroyed. It was considered a very successful mission. No enemy aircraft were encountered and we suffered no losses. 13 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 39 tons of 500 lb. bombs from 2300 feet on the railroad lines north of Lake Orbetello, Italy. No hits were scored, making it a poor mission. No enemy aircraft encountered. There were no losses.
December 14 - Kalamaki A/D: Athens, Greece; Harbor Installations: Atehns, Greece; Docks & Shipping: Pitaeus, Greece
76 B-17s of the 301st, 97th and 2nd Bomb Groups dropped 224.5 tons of bombs on Athens/Kalamaki A/D, Greece. Bomb-strike photos showed good coverage of the target area. The 2nd Bomb Group was attacked by 15/20 enemy aircraft, 8 of which were claimed destroyed, as against the loss of 1 B-17. 31 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 93 tons of bombs on Khasani/Athens Harbor. Cloud cover prevented an accurate estimate of damage. 10/15 enemy fighters were encoountered, 3 of which were destroyed. 66 P-38s of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups furnished escort. The fighters engaged 15/20 enemy aircraft resulting in 2 ME-109s destroyed and 1 probably destroyed. 46 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group also furnished escort but had no encounters.
December 15 - M/Ys: Bolzano, Italy & Innsbruck, Austria
48 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 237 tons of bombs on Innsbruck M/Ys with good results. No enemy aircraft were encountered. 52 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups dropped 156 tons of bombs on Bolzano bridges and M/Ys with good results. No enemy aircraft were encountered. 26 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group furnished escort to Bolzano but had no encounters. 39 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group furnished escort to Innsbruck without encounter. 43 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group also furnished escort.
December 16 - M/Y & RR/BDGs: Padau, Italy
69 B-17s of the 2nd, 301st and 99th Bomb Groups dropped 207 tons of bombs on Padau M/Ys, Italy. Bomb-strike photos showed good coverage of the target area. The 301st Group was attacked by 7 enemy fighters of which 2 were destroyed. 34 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group furnished escort and encountered 20 enemy aircraft, 1 of which was destroyed. We lost one P-38, cause unknown. 45 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group also furnished escort but had no encounters.
December 19 - M/Y: Insbruck, Austria
73 B-17s of the 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 207.5 tons of bombs on Innsbruck M/Ys. Bomb-strike photos showed good coverage. Approximately 80 enemy aircraft were encountered. The 301st Group claimed 21 enemy aircraft destroyed while the 99th Group claimed 8 destroyed. We lost 4 B-17s to enemy aircraft. The 2nd Bomb Group attacked some town between Hall and Rattenburg which is east of Innsbruck, dropping 51 tons of bombs. Bomb-strike photos showed poor coverage. 30/40 enemy fighters were encountered of which 7 were destroyed. The 2nd Group lost 3 B-17s. 43 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group furnished escort part way and met no enemy aircraft. 43 P-47s, 325th Fighter Group, furnished withdrawal support -- no encounters.
December 20 - Eleusis A/D: Athens, Greece
109 B-17s, all Groups, dropped 297 tons of bombs on Athens/Eleusis A/D, Greece. Bomb-strike photos revealed good coverage of the target. The bombers encountered approximately 50 enemy fighters and claimed 14 destroyed. 29 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group furnished escort for the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups - no encounters. 37 P-38s, 14th Fighter Group, furnished escort for the 2nd and 99th Groups, encountering 15/20 enemy fighters of which 8 ME-109s were destroyed, 3 probably destroyed and 2 damaged. The 2nd Bomb Group lost 3 B-17s - 2 to enemy fighters and 1 to flak.
December 21
6 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group on an Air-Sea-Rescue mission made no sightings.
December 25 - M/Ys: Bolzano & Udine, Italy
All Groups took off to attack Bolzano M/Ys but only 2 Groups dropped bombs because of weather. 62 B-17s of the 301st and 97th Bomb Groupsdropped 186 tons of bombs on Bolzano M/Ys. The lead ship of the lead Group, piloted by Group Commander, Colonel Jean R. Byerly, was shot down by flak at the beginning of the bomb run. He was the first Group Commander we have lost. Bomb-strike photos showed fair coverage. 30 P-38s, 1st Fighter Group, escorted the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups. 4/8 enemy fighters were encountered but the P-38s kept the enemy formation from attacking the bombers. 41 P-47s, 325th Fighter Group, furnished withdrawal escort but had no encounters. 3 P-47s were lost letting down through the weather.
December 28 - M/Y: Rimini, Italy
90 B-17s, all Groups, escorted by 61 P-38s of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups, attacked Rimini M/Ys. 267 tons of bombs were dropped. Bomb-strike photos showed this to be a very successful mission. No enemy fighters were encountered. 47 P-47s, 325th Fighter Group, furnished withdrawal escort - no encoounters.
December 29 - A/C Factory: Reggio Emilia, Italy; M/Ys: Rimini & Ferrara, Italy
75 B-17s of the 99th, 301st and 2nd Bomb Groups dropped 219 tons of bombs on Ferrara M/Ys, Italy. Bomb-strike photos proved this to be a fairly good mission. 28 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 84 tons of bombs on Rimini M/Ys, resulting in excellent coverage of the target area. 36 P-38s, 14th Fighter Group, furnished escort - no encounters. 45 P-47s, 325th Fighter Group, furnished withdrawal.
December 30 - M/Y & RR/BDGs: Padau, Italy; M/Ys: Rimini & Verona, Italy
39 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 117 tons of bombs on Padau M/Ys, Italy, with very good results. 25 B-17s, 99th Bomb Group, dropped 74.5 tons of bombs on Rimini M/Ys with very good results. 7 B-17s, 2nd Bomb Group, dropped 21 tons at 44 degrees 50 min. North, 12 degrees East. 17 B-17s of 2nd Bomb Group dropped 51 tons of bombs on Ravenna M/Ys with poor results. 51 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group furnished escort. 12 enemy aircraft were encountered, 3 of which were destroyed before P-47s were forced to return to base due to fuel shortage.