5th BW Missions February 1944
February 1
36 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group flew a sweep of the Orrieto-Viterbo area from 1310 to 1410 hours at 12,000 to 16,000 feet. There were no encounters, no losses and no early returns
February 2
Non operational
February 3
35 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group swept the Prato-Pontassieve area from 1345 to 1415 hours. There was one early return, no encounters, no losses.
February 4
136 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups took off to bomb Toulon. They were unescorted. 35 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group, 30 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group, 2 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group and 1 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group dropped a total of 204 tons of 500 pound bombs between 1352/1415 hours from 21,500/25,000 feet. 28 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group bombed the Antheor Viaduct. 21 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group, 4 of the 2nd Bomb Group and 2 of the 97th Bomb Group jettisoned bombs into the sea due to bad weather, strong adverse winds and shortage of fuel.
The 97th Bomb Group encountered 15/20 FW-190s and ME-109s just prior to the bomb run. During the attack, which lasted 20 minutes, 3 ME-109s were destroyed and one FW-190 collided with a B-17 destroying both planes. The 2nd Bomb Group, 8 minutes behind the 97th Bomb Group, encountered 20/25 FW-190s and ME-109s which came in to attack in groups of four, peeling off wingly at 500 yards. Bombers of the 2nd Bomb Group claim 2 ME-109s and 2 FW-190s destroyed. One B-17 was lost to enemy fighters. The 301st Bomb Group encountered 10/15 FW-190s and ME-109s claiming 2 FW-190s destroyed. The 99th Bomb Group had no encounters. Tabulation of claims shows 13 enemy fighters destroyed against the loss of 2 B-17s. Bomb strike photos show a good concentration of hits around dry docks, arsenal, coaling dock, and storage area. Some damage was inflected around submarine station and shipping.
February 5
2 P-38s flew a special mission to Sardinia. At 1600 hours South of Capri, 14 JU-88s were seen flying SW at 5000 feet. JU-88s jettisoned bombs on sighting P-38s and headed NE. The P-38s dropped belly tanks and chased enemy aircraft but lost them in the clouds. No claims - no losses.
February 6
Non operational
February 7
Non operational
February 8
36 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 108 tons of 500 pound bombs at 1305 hours from 20,700 feet on the Verona, Italy marshalling yards. 20/25 enemy aircraft, ME-109s, FW-190s and ME-202s were encountered near Adria enroute to and from the target. Claims: 7 E/A destroyed, 4 probably destroyed and 7 damaged. We suffered no losses. Bomb strike photos show many direct hits on tracks and rolling stock, east end of yard near the choke point. A concentration of direct hits on 2 warehouses on northeast side and on 4 warehouses on the southeast side of yard, demolishing 3 and partially demolishing 3 others. There was a heavy concentration of hits on car shops north of station. A heavy concentration of hits show in the industrial area northeast of the yard causing extensive damage.
Escort of P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group failed to make rendezvous and returned to base. One P-47 was lost, cause unknown. Slight inaccurate flak was encountered at Piscona.
23 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group escorted B-24s to Orvieto A/D. No encounters and no losses.
24 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group escorted B-24s to Piombino marshalling yards.No encounters and no losses for escort.
February 9
Non operational
February 10
36 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 108 tons of 500 pound bombs on Albano at 0916 hours from 12,100 feet. There were no encounters but two aircraft were lost to intense accurate heavy flak. Bomb strike photos show a heavy concentration in that portion of the town between Lake Albano and the main highway, extending from the southeast edge to the vicinity of Castel Gandolfo. There is severe damage shown in this area. There was a severe explosion in a building one mile SE of town.
16 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 48 tons of 500 pound bombs on Cisterna at 0900 hours from 17,700 feet. 33 A/C took off but one returned early and 16 did not bomb because of weather. There were no encounters and no losses. Bomb strike photos show small concentration of bombs on the NE and SW edges of town. There were two direct hits on the highway running NE from town and several direct hits in a dry creek bed possibly used as a defensive position.
35 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 105 tons of 500 pound bombs on Cecchina at 0900 hours from 12,500 feet. 28 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group were over the target at 22,000 feet but were unable to drop through the high overcast. The 97th Bomb Group lost one B-17 to very intense, accurate flak. There were no encounters. Bomb strike photos show a very heavy concentration in the railroad yards, on adjoining buildings and highway. Several explosions are shown in the area surrounding the intersection.
53 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group in two flights swept the Esterna and Albano area from 0845 to 0930 hours between 3,000 feet and 14,000 feet, and agains from 0945 to 1040 hours between 8,000 and 14,000 feet without encounters. There were no losses.
41 P-38s of the 1st and 82nd Fighter Groups dropped 20 tons of 500 pound bombs on a road and rail junction in the Anzio beachhead area (F8485) between 1140 and 1155 hours from 1000/3000 feet. There were no encounters but one P-38 was lost. Visual observation report direct hits on the road and RR tracks and also nearby buildings.
Afterwards the P-38s strafed and damaged M/T along the nearby roads, freight cars and locomtives, fuel tanks NE of Ponto Rotondo, and the switching station and power house near the target
25 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 8.75 tons of 500 pound bombs on Tivoli and vico Coro between 1130/1140 hours from 2500/3000 feet. There were no encounters but 4 P-38s were lost. Flak was intense and accurate. 12 P-38s bombed Tivoli reporting hits on the station, on the RR and on the highway, and one direct hit on the switching station. After the bombing, gun enplacements were strafed, one tank was damaged and a jeep destroyed. A large fire was left burning at the RR station, possibly from hits on fuel or ammunition supplies. The second flight of 13 P-38s bombed Vico Voro reporting a good concentration on the RR and highway and on nearby factory buildings. Later strafing destroyed 11 trucks four freight cars, and a power installation, and gun emplacements.
February 11
Non operational
February 12
34 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group dropped 99.75 tons of 500 pound bombs on troop concentrations in the beachhead area (F885455) at 1530/1616 hours from 18,600 feet. No encounters. Intense accurate heavy flak damaged one ship which was forced to crash land south of Foggis. Bomb strike photos of poor quality show two strings through target and beyond to Ceccina.
February 13
Non operationsl
February 14
54 B-17s of the 2nd, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups finding their primary targets overcast dropped 156 tons of 500 pound bombs between 1315/1426 hours on Modena marshalling yards from 20,000/24,000 feet. 36 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group on this mission were unable to locate target due to cloud cover and did not bomb. Bomb strike photos from the 99th Bomb Group show a good concentration on through tracks, sidings, warehouses, rolling stock and on the central section of the marshalling yards to the west of the station. All through lines were cut.
23 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group finding their primary obscured, dropped 69 tons of 500 pound bombs on Brescia M/Ys between 1315 and 1426 hours from 20,000/24,000 feet. No photos available, but visual observation reports scattered hits on the railroad.
9 B-17s from the 2nd, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 27 tons of 500 pound bombs on Verona M/Ys between 1315/1426 hours from 20,000/24,000 feet. No bomb strike photos were impracticable due to weather.
Targets of Opportunity: Between 1315/1426 hours from 20,000/24,000 feet, 13 B-17s of the 99th and 301st Bomb Groups finding their primary target obscured by overcast, dropped 15 tons of 500 pound bombs on Pontedera A/D and the Piaggio A/C factory; and 24 tons on RR bridges at Perna, Sassuola, Rubiera, and south of Viceaza. Bomb strike photos in respect of Rubiera show 2 direct hits on road bridge and direct hits on the RR lines at both ends of the bridge. The line at Reggio Emelia was cut in four places. Visual observations report direct hits at Pontedera and on the Piaggio A/C Factory.
On all the above missions 25/30 enemy aircraft were encountered. The bombers claim 2 ME-109s destroyed. One B-17 was lost when it collided with an ME-109.
47 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group escorted B-17s to Verona and encountered 30 enemy A/C of which 8 were destroyed and 3 P-47s were lost.
43 P-38s of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups escorted B-24s to Verona East marshalling yards, and Massa M/Ys. 22 fighters returned early. The escort encountered 15/20 enemy A/C in the Verona area and destroyed 6 of same. One P-38 was lost.
February 15
143 unescorted B-17s, all groups, were dispatched to attack the Monastery atop Monte Cassino, dropping 287 tons of 500 pound bombs and 66.5 tons of 100 pound incendiary bombs between 0925/1003 hours from 15000/20200 feet. Bomb strike photos show at least 35 direct hits with 500 pound bombs on monastery and inner court yards. Damage to the eastern half was particularly extensive due in part to a sever explosion in that area. There were 40/50 direct hits by incendiaries.
41 P-38s of the 82nd Fighter Group took off to escort B-24s to Ferrara, 5 returned early. 32 escorted the 98th Bomb Group on the Ferrara mission without incident. 4 P-38s escorted another formation of B-24s to the Lake Frasimone area where 6 E/A were encountered. Three were destroyed and one damaged without loss. During the encounter the P-38s lost sight of the bombers and returned to base.
February 16
Non operational
February 17
68 unescorted B-17s of the 2nd and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 94.28 tons of 20 pound fragmentation bombs on Campolione Town between 1030/1054 hours from 19,000/21,500 feet. 4 enemy aircraft were encountered each making one pass. No claims were made but one B-17 was lost to heavy flak. Bomb strike photos show a number of bursts NE of Campolione junction. Bursts were visible on vehicles in creek bed west of station and on M/T on road.
37 unescorted B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 53.28 tons of 20 pound fragmentation bombs at 1004 hours from 20,500 feet. There were no encounters but one B-17 was lost to intense flak. Bomb strike photos show bursts among equipment in creek bed approximately 1 mile SE of Campolione junction and in open field.
38 unescorted B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 53.53 tons of 20 pound fragmentation bombs between 1025/1030 hours on a motor transpoprt park in the beachhead area (F918494) from 18,500/20,000 feet. One B-17 was lost to flak but there were no encounters. Bomb strike photos show bursts on east side of Lake Albano between the lake and Rocon Di Papa, extending from south end of lake north for approximately 3 miles.
February 18
Non operational
February 19
Non operational
February 20
Non operational
February 21
Non operational
February 22
In coordinated attacks with United Kingdom based aircraft, the 5th Wing (US) dispatched 163 B-17s, 130 P-38s and 63 P-47s to attack the following targets:
28 unescorted short range B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups dropped 81 tons of 500 pound bombs on Zagnek A/D between 1048/1052 hours from 21,500/24,000 feet. There were no encounters and no losses. Bomb strike photos show 50 aircraft present on the airdrome of which 2 were destroyed and 6 damaged. Considerable damage was inflicted upon installations. This was a diversionary mission.
21 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group escorted in part by 60 P-47s, finding their primary target overcast dropped 42 tons of 500 pound bombs and 252 x 100 pound incendiary at 1250 hours from 20,000/23,000 feet on Peter Housea marshalling yards. 10/15 enemy aircraft were seen, but no encounters. One B-17 was lost to flak. Bomb strike photos show direct hits on RR and RR bridge. Many direct hits in residential buildings in town with extensive damage to small buildings. Many direct hits in canal and on embankments possibly blocking it with debris. P-47s were from the 325th Fighter Group.
65 B-17s from the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted on withdrawal by 60 P-47s dropped 153 tons of 500 pound and 380 x 100 pound incendiary bombs on Regensburg A/C Factory at 1230 hours from 23,500/24,000 feet. 25/30 enemy aircraft were encountered making very aggressive attacks. 14 enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of 3 B-17s. Observation was not possible due to overcast. Bomb strike photos are cloud obscured.
106 P-38s of the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups furnished withdrawal escort for B-24s on mission to Regensburg Obertraubling A/C Factory. Enemy A/C that were engaging bombers brooke off attack when P-38s appeared, but out fighters destroyed 1 enemy A/C.
February 23
89 P-38s of the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups furnished withdrawal escort for B-24s attacking Steyrwaffen A/C Factory at Steyr, Austria. The 1st Fighter Group had no encounters; the 14th Fighter Group encoutered 20/25 enemy aircraft and in the ensuing 15/20 minute battle, 1 enemy A/C was destroyed and 2 E/A were probably destroyed; the 82nd Fighter Group saw 6/8 E/A but had no encounters.
B-17s with P-47 escort from the 325th Fighter Group were forced to turn back after unsuccessful attempts to penetrate unoperational weather between base and Foggia.
February 24
Continuing the coordinated attacks with attacks with aircraft based in the United Kingdom, the 5th Wing dispatched 324 aircraft comprising 151 B-17s, 114 P-38s and 58 P-47s to attack the following targets:
87 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 261tons of 500 pound bombs on the Steyr-Daimler Puch A/C Factory at 1306/1310 hours from 19,500/23,800 feet. Withdrawal support was provided by 56 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group and 97 P-38s of the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups. 15 bombers and 20 fighters returned early. About 110 enemy aircraft were encountered. The enemy aircraft were sighted NW of Flume and began the attack near Klagenfurt, continuing to the target, during the bomb run, and after until the appearance of the escort just south of the target. Totaly time of attack, approximately one hour. The enemy aircraft fired rockets and attacks were very aggressive. The bombers claim 23 enemy aircraft destroyed, and 10 probably destroyed. These figured do not include any enemy aircraft destroyed by 10 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group which, being in the near formation, engaged the enemy in a fierce battle and were observed to destroy an undetermined number of enemy A/C. All of these 10 B-17s were lost, 6 other B-17s were also lost to enemy aircraft. The fighters claim 11 E/A destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 3 damaged. 2 P-38s were lost. Totals - losses: 16 B-17s and 2 P-38s. Claims: 35 E/A destroyed; 12 Probables; 3 damaged. Bomb strike photos show the target well hit. In the separate group of machine shop buildings, one shop received 12 diest hits, another 6 direct hits and a third one direct hit and several damaging near misses. In the main part of the factory, machine shops received 3 hits, the assembly shop 2 hits, offices and vehicle assembly shops one hit each. Other parts of the factory were also hit but smoke from bombing makes location of hits impractical.
Separated by weather from groups going to Steyr, 27 B-17s from the 99th Bomb Group dropped 81 tons of 500 pound bombs at 1251 hours from 20,000 feet on Flume Oil Refinery. 4/6 enemy A/c were encountered of which one was destroyed. Bomb strike photos show many direct hits on target. Torpedo factory received 3 direct hits on main buildng and a concentration of hits on smaller units. Oil Refinery severely damaged by a heavy concentration of hits. Artillery barracks also received many direct hits.
February 25
46 B-17s of the 2nd, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 36 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group and 85 P-38s of the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups took off to attack the Prufering Aircraft Factory, Regensburg, Germany. 14 B-17s, 4 P-47s and 20 P-38s returned early. Approximately 200 enemy aircraft were encountered by various groups. Enemy aircraft were picked up at Trieste who fought them all the way to the target and back. 67 enemy aircraft were destroyed against the loss of 20 B-17s and 4 P-38s. The biggest loss this wing has ever suffered in one day. Protos show entire target smoke covered and fires burning. This was a coordinated attack with B-24s based in Italy.
11 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group, finding unoperational weather over primary target, bombed Zora Harbor at 1112 hours from 22/23000 feet. Bomb strike photos show hits on military barracks, on government buildings and scattered hits on roads and in residential area.
27 B-17s of the 97th and 99th Bomb Groups bombed Pola, an alternate target, at 1111/1142 hours from 20,500/23,000 feet. Escort was provided by P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group. No encounters by bombers or fighters. Bomb strike photos show direct hits on quayside RR, on warehouses, torpedo depot, on coal quay and sheds. Some bursts are seen in cement factory area.
February 26
Non operational
February 27
Non operational
February 28
Non operational
February 29
Non operational