5th BW Missions January 1944
January 1 - Non operational
January 2
42 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group flew a fighter sweep in the Rome area without incident. 5 A/C returned early. 1 A/C was slightly damaged by flak. There were no losses.
January 3 - Ball Bearing Factory: Villar Perosa, Italy; M/Y: Turin, Italy
50 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups, escorted by 34 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 156 tons of 1000 pound bombs on Villar-Perosa Ball Bearing Works. 9 fighters and 9 bombers returned early. Approximately 20/25 E/A were encountered, 1 of which was destroyed, 1 damaged and 2 P-38s were lost. Moderate to intense accurate heavy flak was encountered at the target. Bomb strike photos show at least 12 direct hits on main units of factory with several probable damaging near misses. It is believed that several additional direct hits were scored on NW of the main unit by the 2nd unit but smoke cover prevented accurate estimate. Reconnaissance photos shows that factory has sustained extensive damage from at least six direct hits and ten near misses. 25% of the rooking has collapsed, at least 50 craters are visible in the immediate vicinity of the factory. A most successful mission.
50 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 24 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 171 tons of 500 lb bombs on the target from an altitude of 22,000 to 24,000 feet from 1144/1146 hours. 7 bombers and 10 fighters returned early. About 18 E/A were encountered, 3 of which was destroyed. One P-38 was lost. The target for these groups being the Turin Lingotto Marshalling Yards. Direct hits on tracks and rolling stock as well as part of the Fiat Motor Works were scored.
January 4 - Sofia & Dupnitea, Bulgaria
108 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups found complete cloud cover over their primary target. 77 A/C returned their bombs to base. 2nd Group dropped 81 tons of 500 lb bombs on Dupnitsa causing extensive damage to commercial and residential structures. 71 P-38s of the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups escorted the bombers. On the return, the 82nd Fighter Group shot down a ME-111 and a GO-242 Glider.
January 5 - Non operational
January 6 - Non operational
January 7 - A/C Components Factory: Maribor, Yugoslavia
Finding primary target obscured the bombers divided into two groups, one going to the Maribor A/C Factory and one to the Flume Torpedo Factory. 48 B-17s of the 99th and 2nd Bomb Groups, going to Maribor, dropped 87 tons of 500 lb bombs on the target. The escort of 51 P-38s from the 14th Fighter Group also divided, some escorting over this target, and the remainder escorting the 301st to the Flume Torpedo Factory. The P-38s encountered approximately 50 E/A who attacked in two waves of 30 and 20, the second wave following for 50 miles. The attacks lasted for 30 minutes over the target area and were carried out very aggressively and with experienced cunning. The P-38s being out numbered formed a Lufberry for protection whereupon the E/A formed a Lufberry above them and attacked fiercely from all angles. Results: 1st Fighter Group 3 E/A destroyed and 4 damaged. 14th Fighter Group 1 ME-110 destroyed and 1 probable, 4 damaged. 8 P-38s were lost to enemy action.
Visual observation reports target covered by fair percentage of hits. Several direct hits are claimed. One large explosion observed. Scattered hits along the R.R. track.
21 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group escorted by some P-38s of the 14th and 1st Fighter Groups dropped 63 tons of 500 lb bombs on the Flume Torpedo Works. There were no encounters. Bomb strike photos show no hits on main building of the factory but hits scored on tracks and rolling stock and warehouses.
January 8 - A/C Factory & M/Y: Reggio Emelia, Italy
109 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups, escorted by 32 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group, dropped 324 tons of 500 lb bombs on Reggio-Emelia A/C Factory and M/Y. Photos show at least 20 direct hits and several near misses on the factory itslef, also concentrated hits covering industrial area with explosions following. Hits also scored throughout M/Y as well as post holing part of the A/D.
January 9 - Docks & Shipping: Pola, Italy
107 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups, escorted by 33 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group and 47 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group dropped 319.5 tons of 500 lb bombs on Pola Harbor. Hits were concentrated on the submarine pens and adjoining shops, on the coal quay and sheds with several explosions resulting.
January 10 - Sofia, Bulgaria
143 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 28 P-38s of the 14th Gighter Group enroute and 44 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group dropped 418 tons of bombs on Sofia. 40/50 E/A were encountered before, after and during the bomb run. This encounter lasted for 40 minutes. The P-38s claim 8 E/A destroyed, 4 probables and 3 damaged; Bombers claim 30 destroyed and 9 probably destroyed. 2 B-17s, 1 P-38 and 1 P-47 were lost. Bomb strikes were scattered throughout the city with concentration of hits on M/Y and R.R.
January 11 - Docks & Shipping: Piraeus, Greece
72 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 15 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group dropped 134 tons of 500 lb bombs on Piraeus Harbor. 30/40 E/A were encountered before, after and during bomb run. Bombers claim 6 destroyed. In the heavy overcast 3 P-17s of the 301st collided with 2 B-17s of the 97th. All 5 A/C were lost. One B-17 of the 99th Bomb Group collided with a E/A and was lost. Photos show heavy concentration of hits on RR tracks, rolling stock and buildings adjacent to Quay. Hits also scored on storage tanks, small boats and warehouses. Two escort vessels damaged by hits. Grouond source reports approximately 1000 Germans killed and another 1000 wounded in the raid.
January 12
32 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group flew a fighter sweep in the Rome area. The Marshalling Yards at Teramo and buildings and trucks in the area between the rivers Tronto and Torsino were successfully straffed. No claims were made and no losses sustained.
January 13 - Certocelle & Guidonia A/Ds: Rome, Italy
61 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 14 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group dropped 184 tons of bombs on Certocelle A/D. 15/25 E/A were encountered with 4 being destroyed. We lost no A/C. Installations were destroyed or damaged and A/D was post holed.
68 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups, excorted by 39 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 165 tons of bombs on Guidonia A/D/ 25 E/A were encountered, two were destroyed and 1 probable. We lost 2 P-38s. Installations were destroyed and A/D was post holed.
January 14 - Main A/D: Mostar, Yugoslavia
140 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 9,648 twenty pound frag bombs and 213 tons of 500 lb bombs on Mostar A/D. 57 P-38s of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups escorted throughout the mission and 50 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group escorted from the target on withdrawal. There were no encounters. Many direct hits were scored and facilities and A/D was well post holed.
82nd Fighter Group escorted 68 B-24s to Mostar encountered 12/15 E/A of which 3 were destroyed.
January 15 - M/Ys: Certaldo & Arezzo, Italy; RR/BDGs: Bucine & Fano, Italy
Today's target for B-17s were R.R Yards and bridges in the Florence area. Due to cloud cover and heavy ground fog, formations were divided and flights were forced to bomb alternate targets or targets of opportunity. No E/A were encountered by any of the formations.
January 16 - L/G: Villa Orba, Italy; A/C Components Factory: Klagenfurt, Austria
67 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups, escorted by 56 P-38s of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups, dropped 201 tons of bombs on Klagenfurt ME Factory. 15/16 E/A were encountered, 10 of these being engaged and the rest were driven off. Two E/A were destroyed and two probably destroyed. The bombers also destroyed 1 E/A and probably destroyed another. 3 P-38s were lost. This was a very successful mission as direct hits were scored on the A/C factory, parts stores, machine shop and Marshalling Yards.
61 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups dropped 182 tons of bombs on Villaorba L/G. The penetration escort was provided by 26 P-47s of the 325th Figher Group and the withdrawal escort by 21 P-47s of the same group. No encounters. Good concentration of hits on installations and entire landing ground was well post holed.
January 17 - M/Ys: Prato & Pontassieve, Italy
35 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Grou, escorted by 15 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 39 tons of bombs on Pontassieve M/Y & Bridge. Good concentration of hits on bridge and marshalling yards as well as hits covering the station, warehouses, sidings and the adjoining town area.
65 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups, escorted by 34 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 186 tons of bombs on Prato M/Ys. No flak at target but one B-17 was slightly dmaged by flak at Gaeta and one P-38 was lost. Photos show many direct hits and near hits on tracks, train sheds and station as well as hits on rolling stock and warehouses.
January 18 - M/Ys & RR/BDGs: Certaldo & Pontedera, Italy; M/Ys: Pistoia & Poggibonsi, Italy
16 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group and 34 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group escorted the entire bomber formation of the 5th Wing on their attack on marshalling yards in the Florence area. No E/A were encountered by 2 JU-88s and one hostile P-38 painted black was sighted south of Rome.
40 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 120 tons of bombs on Certaldo Marshalling Yards & R.R. Bridge. There was no flak, no encounters and no losses. There were no hits on the bridge and only scattered hits on the marshalling yards.
39 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 117 tons of bombs on Pistoia Marshalling Yards and Airdrome. There were no encounters, no flak and no losses. Visual observations show the target area well covered, with hits on the A/D and on several buildings adjacent in the M/Ys.
35 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 102 tons of bombs on Poggibonsi Marshalling Yards. There were no encounters and no losses. Visual observations show the M/Y well covered with hits as well as hits scored on adajacent buildings.
40 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group dropped 120 tons of bombs on Pontedera Marshalling Yards. There were no encounters, no flak and no losses. Scattered direct hits and damagingnear misses on the industrial area, direct hits on the R.R. track and at least one direct hit on the A/C factory.
January 19 - Ciampino & Centocelle A/Ds: Rome, Italy
78 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups, excorted by 32 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 221 tons of bombs on the Ciampino North & South A/Ds. There were no encounters and no losses. Hangars and administrative buildings were damaged or destroyed and the A/D was well post holed.
36 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group escorted by 15 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group dropped 4,896 twent pound frag bombs on the dispersals of Ciampino North & Soouth destroying or damaging 3 E/A on the ground. Frag bombs also hit a freight train destroying several units of the train.
37 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group, escorted by a formation of P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group dropped 5,100 twenty pound frag bombs on Centocelle A/D. 3 E/A were damaged on the ground. The administrative buildings, service facilities and barracks were damaged by direct hits and a large double-bay hangar was directly hit.
30 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group provided top cover for attacks on airdromes in the Rome area. Two E/A were encountered and destroyed while we suffered no loses.
30 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group conducted a sweep of the A/Ds in the Rome area. Nine E/A were observed but they avoided attack. There were no losses.
January 20 - Ciampino & Centocelle A/Ds: Rome, Italy
66 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted throughout by 19 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group dropped 52 tons of frag bombs and 107 tons of 500 lb bombs on Cnetocelle A/D. 5 E/A attacked the formation and one was destroyed and two were damaged. One straggling B-17 was shot down; 10 chutes were seen to open. Direct hits were scored on the ammunition dump causing explosions, installations were destroyed or severely damaged and the A/D was well post holed. The adajacent RR yard wasalso well covered with hits.
75 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups, excorted throughout by 37 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 108 tons of 500 lb bombs and 49 tons of frag bombs on Ciampino A/Ds (North & South). There were no encounters and no flak. Photos show the A/D to be well post holed, all of the installations were severely damaged and the adjoining rail track was also damaged.
27 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group swept the Rome area. No encounters took place and no losses were sustained.
43 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group escorted C-47s and SM-82s on a special mission to Yugoslavia.
January 21 - Istres Le Tube & Salon A/Ds: Marseilles, France; M/Ys: Rimini & Porto Civitanova, Italy
35 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group, escorted by 29 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 105 tons of 500 lb bombs on Istres Le Tube Airdrome. 10/15 E/A were encountered and 2 were destroyed by the bombers and three by the fighters while we had no losses. An explosion and fires were observed as a result of direct hits on hangars, buildings and in the dispersal areas.
37 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group, escorted by 14 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group dropped 111 tons of bombs on Salon Airdrome.10/15 E/A were encountered and 5 of these were destroyed by the bombers while the fighters claimed 3 destroyed. Our losses were 1 B-17 and 2 P-38s. Observations show good coverage of target area with hits on installations and across landing area.
39 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group, unescorted, finding the primary target obscured, dropped 117 tons of bombs on Porto Civitanova RR Bridge. Observations show that the bridge was not hit but that the track was damaged in several places.
35 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group flew a fighter sweep of the Florence area. Six E/A were encountered, of these four are claimed destroyed. We suffered no losses.
25 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group flew a fighter sweep in the Rome area. There were no encounters but we lost one A/C; cause unknown.
27 P-38s of the 82nd Fighter Group escorted the B-24s to Pontedera M/Ys. There were no encounters and no losses.
January 22 - HWY/RR/BDGs: Pontecorvo & Staz Campoleone, Italy; M/Y & A/D: Pontedera, Italy; M/Y & RR/BDGs: Terni, Italy
38 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group, without escort, dropped 114 tons of bombs on Pontecorvo Bridge and town. One B-17 was lost to accurate flak. No encounters and no losses. Direct hits on buildings and highway junction and although the bridge was probably hit directly, smoke cover obscured accurate estimate. Many hits were scored in town causing considerable damage.
39 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group dropped 116 tons of bombs on Ceprano Road Bridges.Smoke cover prevents complete estimate of damage but direct hits were scored on highway but no apparent damage done to bridge.
18 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 54 tons of bombs on Poggibonsi. There were no encounters and no losses. Cloud cover prevents any estimate of bomb damage.
25 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 75 tons of bombs on Siena M/Ys. No E/A and no flak was encountered. No E/A were encountered and there were no losses. Direct hits were scored on rail lines and highway stopping traffic on these lanes.
13 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group, finding primary target obscured, dropped 39 tons of bombs on Marine De Falconara Rail Lines and Bridge. There were no encounters and no losses. Results were unobserved.
35 P-47s escortedmissions to Siena and Poggibonsi. There were no encounters and no losses.
34 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group swept the Rome-Florence area. Two E/A were encountered, one of which was destroyed. We had no losses.
14 P-38s of the 82nd Fighter Group dropped 7 tons of 1000 lb bombs on the Rome-Terni area. No observations were made because of overcast. No E/a, no flak, no losses.
13 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group operating in a heavy overcast, bombed the Rome-Orte area from 4,000 feet with unobserved results.
8 P-38s of the 82nd Fighter Group operating in complete overcast, dropped 5 tons of bombs in the Rome-Viterbo area. Hits were observed on buildings and road junctions.
32 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group operating in very bad weather dropped 16 tons of bombs in the Rome-Rieti area. Hits were scored on bridges, road and vehicles. One P-38 was lost to flak and another went down in the sea.
January 23 - HWY/BDGs: Ceprano & Pontecorvo, Italy; M/Ys: Siena & Poggibonsi, Italy
Non operational
January 24 - Sofia & Vrattsa, Bulgaris
112 B-17s of the 2nd, 99th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 64 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group, found all targets obscured by 10/10th clouds and bombed a target of opportunity at Dintsenofene Bulgaria with unobserved results. One wave of the 2nd Bomb Group became separated from the escort and was attacked by 10/15 E/A. 4 E/A were destroyed. 6/10 E/A attacked the second wave of bombers. No claims were made. Three B-17s were ditched and three were lost to enemy action.
40 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group escorted by 64 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group, finding the primary target obscured dropped 114 tons of bombs on a target of opportunity at Vrattsa, Bulgaria. No losses, no encounters and no flak. Photos show a good concentration of hits on rail lines and adjacent buildings. Some hits also scored on city.
January 25 - M/Ys: Arezzo & Perugia, Italy
32 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group found primary target obscured and dropped 96tons of bombs on the following targets of opportunity: A railroad bridge at Pedaso, highway and rail bridge over Vomando river, Statz Di Monte Silvano highway and RR bridge. Both highway and rail bridges probably damaged by hits. No encounters and no losses.
39 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group finding their target obscured by weather, returned to base.
January 26 - Non operational
January 27 - Salon A/D: Marseilles, France; Frejorgues A/D: Montpellier, France
34 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group swept the Rome area. There were no encounters and no losses.
32 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group swept the Florence area. There were no encounters and no losses.
64 B-17s of the 99th and 2nd Bomb Groups escorted by 27 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group dropped 186 tons of bombs on Salon De Provence A/D, France. 25/30 E/A were encountered for 50 minutes before and after target. Bombers claim 16 E/A destroyed and the fighters accounted for 2 more. One of out bombers and two fighters were lost to enemy action. Visual observations report target area well covered with one hangar left burning.
Three B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group became separated because of weather, joined the 99th Group and dropped 9 tons on Salon A/D. 10/15 E/A were encountered, of these 3 E/A were claimed destroyed while we had no losses.
68 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 19 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group dropped 204 tons of bombs on Montepellier=Frejorcues A/D, France. 15/20 E/A were encountered, of this number 3 were destroyed while we lost one bomber. Photos show very good coverage of main installations resulting in hangars, buildings and ammunition dumps being destroyed.
28 P-38s of the 82nd Fighter Group escorted the B-24s to Istres Le Ture A/D. There were no encounters.
January 28 - M/Y: Verona, Italy; A/D: Aviano, Italy
64 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Grouops escorted by 35 P-38s of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups, dropped 9,020 twenty pound frags on Aviano Airdrome. 25/30 E/A were encountered by the 99th Group who claim 13 destroyed. There were no losses. Hangars and adjoining buildings were hit directly as well as service facilities, dispersal areas, fuel and munition stores.
76 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 43 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group for part of the mission, dropped 228 tons of bombs on Verona M/Ys. There were no encounters and no losses. Direct hits were scored in yards, on buildings and rail lines were cut in several places.
January 29 - M/Ys: Ancona, Fabriano, Prato & Rimini, Italy
39 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group finding their primary target obscured, dropped 84 tons of bombs on Ancona M/Ys. There were no encounters and no losses. Photos show warehouses, train sheds and rail lines were hit directly. Vehicles and tank trucks were also destroyed.
37 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group, found primary target obscured and dropped 51 tons of bombs on Fabriano M/Ys. There were no encounteres and no losses. Bombing was poor but rail line was severed in several places.
37 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 111 tons of bombs on Rimini M/Ys. There were no encounters and no losses. Photos show good concentration of hits on main lines as well as on bridges. Scattered hits were also scored in city.
38 B-17s of the 301st Bomb Group, finding primary target obscurred, dropped 114 tons of bombs on Bologna M/Ys. There were no encounters and no losses. Photos show scattered hits on tracks, rolling stock, warehouses and adjacent buildings. Rail service was severed and many hits were scored in the city.
27 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group flew a sweep in the Florence area. No encounters and no losses.
19 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group flew a sweep in the Rome area without incident and without loss.
January 30 - L/Gs: Maniago, Lavariana & Villa Orba, Italy
60 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group swept the Villaorba area in advance of the bombers. 50 E/A were encountered which had just taken off to avoid the bombers. 36 enemy A/C were destroyed and 6 more probably destroyed. Two P-47s were lost.
76 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups dropped 10,988 twenty pound frags on Villaorba A/D. 6/8 E/A attacked the groups, of these 2 were destroyed. One B-17 was lost. Target area well covered and 10 E/A were destroyed on the ground and 21 damaged.
35 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 4,806 frags on Maniago. 15/20 E/A were encountered, of these 4 were destroyed. We had no losses. Entire A/D covered destroying 5 E/A and damaging 6 on the ground.
41 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group dropped 5,903 frags on Lavariano L/G. 25/30 E/A attacked the formation, of these 3 were destroyed. One B-17 was lost to enemy action.
21 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group escorted the B-17s to Villaoba and were encountered by 12 E/A. One E/A was destroyed. We had no losses.
22 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group escorted the B-17s to Villaoba and were encountered by 20/25 E/A; however, they were not aggressive and only one was destroyed. We had no losses.
32 P-38s of the 82nd Fighter Group escorted the B-24s to Udine and encountered 15/20 E/A, of which 6 were destroyed. Two P-38s were lost.
January 31 - A/Ds: Udine, Italy & Klagenfurt, Austria
70 B-17s of the 97th and 301st Bomb Groups escorted by 42 P-38s of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups, dropped 204 tons on Klagenfurt A/D. There were no encounters, no losses and no flak. There was a heavy concentration of hits on the A/D destroying 11 E/A and damaging 7 more. Installations were also successfully hit.
74 B-17s of the 2nd and 99th Bomb Groups dropped 210 tons of bombs on UUdine A/D. 35 P-47s of the 325th Fighter Group escorted the bombers. Bombers encountered 20/25 E/A, of these 10 were destroyed. Fighters encountered 17 E/A and destroyed 5 of these. One bomber was lost to flak. Photos show 6 hangars received direct hits and 9 E/A destroyed while 4 more were damaged. Buildings and other installations were destroyed or damaged while the airdrome was well post holed.