5th BW Missions May 1944
May 1
Mission cancelled due to unoperational weather.
May 2
Abortive mission. 208 B-17s took off to attack communication targets in northern Italy, but bad route weather forced then to turn back.
May 3
Mission cancelled due to weather.
May 4
Non operational.
May 5
177 Fortresses from 5 bomb groups took off to bomb the marshalling yards and pumping station at PLOESTI, Roumania. 9 ships returned early, 1 of which dropped 3 tons of bombs on PODCORICA A/D in Yugoslavia. 166 planes dropped 496 tons of 500 pounders on the target. Bomb strike photos show direct hits on tracks and rolling stock in the south marshalling yards where many lines were cut. Bombs carried into three large refineries near the marshalling yards causing explosions and fires. Intense, accurate flak over the target area caused the loss of 3 B-17s. 75/100 enemy fighters met the bombers in the target area which resulted in 2 fighters destroyed and 2 probables.
41 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group attacked the marshalling yards at TURNU SEVERIN, Roumania. 117 tons of bombs were dropped, scoring hits on the east choke point of the yards and also on warehouses and naval work shops in the port area. A few bombs fell on the east side of the airdrome. 25 ME-109s were encountered enroute to the target but were driven off by the escort of P-47s. All aircraft returned safely.
May 6
The aircraft factory and airdrome at BRASOV, Roumania were the targets for 5 bomb groups. 161 B-17s took off, 7 returning early. 154 ships covered the target with 285 tons of 500 pound demolition and 85 tons of 20 pound fragmentation bombs. The runways and taxi strips of the airdrome were heavily damaged by the saturation of frags; 6 planes on the ground were destroyed and 4 were damaged. Direct hits were scored on 4 hangars, 2 work shops and the main administration building and some bombs spread across the factory area into the freight and marshalling yards. 4 enemy aircraft made two ineffectual passes in the target area. 1 Fortress was lost due to mechanical failure.
41 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group flew, unescorted, to TURNO SEVERIN, Roumania to bomb the marshalling yards again. 5 ships returned early while 2 jettisoned their bombs near the target. The remainder dropped 101 tons of general purpose bombs which blanketed the east end of the yards, hitting the choke point and scattering hits on the tracks and rolling stock in that area. There were no encounters and no losses; flak was negligible.
May 7
5 groups totalling 165 Fortresses, took off to bomb the marshalling yards at BUCHAREST, Roumania. 8 returned early and 2 jettisoned their bombs. The Forts flew over the target through a series of pressing attacks by ME-109s and FW-190s to cause heavy damage and to cut a large number of tracks in the yards with a total weight of 451 tons of demolition and incendiary bombs. Warehouses, 2 locomotive depots, a big road overpass, train sheds and an oil storage tank, which exploded, were all demolished or severely damaged. Flak was intense but inaccurate and caused no trouble for the Forts. 1 B-17 ditched owing to engine failure but the crew was saved.
39 B-17s from one group were dispatched to attach the BELGRADE PANCEVO railroad bridge, Yugoslavia. 3 ships returned early while the rest dropped 105 tons of 1,000 pounders but failed to hit the bridge. Several very near misses which may have damaged the bridge are seen on the bomb strike photos. The intense accurate flak caused the loss of 1 B-17. No enemy fighters were encountered.
May 8
Non operational due to westher.
May 9
Non operational due to westher.
May 10
207 B-17s, all groups, were dispatched to attack WIENER NEUSTADT, 25 ships returning early. A good concentration of hits were scored throughout the assigned target area of Work I; Work II received an excellent concentration of hits. The bombers encountered some 80/90 aircraft resulting in 16 enemy aircraft destroyed, 10 probably destroyed and 2 damaged against a loss of 12 B-17s. Enemy fighters continued their tactics of picking on cripples, aircraft hit by flak or early returned.
May 11
Non operational due to westher.
May 12
All groups were dispatched to attack in close Army-Co-operation missions initiating the "all out" grouond offensive in Italy. GENOA docks and shipping, PORTO FERRAJO, German Corps Headquarters at MASSA D'ALBE (2 sorties were flown on this target), German Army Headquarters at MONTE SORATTE, CIVITAVECCHIA, TARQUINIA and nearby airdromes, and the marshalling yards at CHIVASSO were attacked. Results were fair to excellent. A total of 313 sorties were flown. 3 enemy fighters were encountered, 2 of which were probably destroyed. We suffered no losses.
May 13
Continuing in support of the ground forces, the Fifth Wing concentrated the full weight of their effort on enemy lines of communication. A total of 211 B-17s were dispatched to attack marshalling yards at BOLZANO, TRENTO, BRONZOLA and the railroad bridges at AVISIO. Results were good to excellent. No enemy aircraft were encountered, flak was generally slight to moderate. We suffered no losses.
May 14
200 B-17s were dispatched to attack the PIACENZA airdrome, the marshalling yards at FERRARA and the MANTUA marshalling yards in Italy. Results were good to excellent.. There were no encounters, no flak and we suffered no losses.
May 15
Non operational due to westher.
May 16
Non operational due to westher.
May 17
59 B-17s of the 2nd, and 97th bomb groups furnished ground support for the Yugoslav Partisans when they attacked a German Army base and supply concentration center at BIHAC, Yugoslavia. Only 31 aircraft dropped bombs due to 10/10s overcast at the target but after the first two bomb runs, they succeeded in finding a hole in the clouds.
Other B-17s bombed ANCONA, Italy marshalling yards and harbor installations. No opposition was encountered and there were no losses.
May 18
37 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group were dispatched to attack PLOESTI, Roumania, but due to a complete overcast at that target, they bombed the marshalling yards at BELGRADE, Yugoslavia. No results of the bombing are available due to cloud cover.
36 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group also found their primary target, PLOESTI, overcast and bombed the NIS, Yugoslavia marshalling yards. Results were good to excellent.
35 B-17s of the 463rd Bomb Group dropped 105 tons of 1,000 pound bombs on the Romano American Oil Refinery at PLOESTI, an overcast preventing observation of results. This group was attacked by 70/80 enemy aircraft just after bombs away. 18 enemy fighters were destroyed, 25 were probables and 3 damaged against the loss of 6 B-17s.
36 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group were unable to penetrate a heavy front and turned back. 1 Fortress was lost, cause unknown.
74 B-17s of the 301st and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the BELGRADE, Yugoslavia marshalling yards but, the primary and alternate targets being completely overcast, they did not bomb. All aircraft returned to base.
May 19
207 B-17s were dispatched to attack communications and oil storage targets as follows: TAGLIAMENTO/CASARSA RR bridge; LATISANA RR bridge; and oil storage at PORTO MARGHERA. All targets are in Italy. Bombing was good. No opposition was encountered and we suffered no losses.
May 20
Non operational due to westher.
May 21
Non operational due to westher.
May 22
201 B-17s, all groups, were dispatched to attack troop concentrations in the AVEZZANO area. 31 B-17s of the 2nd Bomb Group returned bombs to base due to complete overcast at target. 5 B-17s returned early, 6 jettisoned and 2 others dropped on PESCINA. All other aircraft dropped on target; observations being restricted for the most part due to cloud cover. No Forts were lost.
May 23
Bombers were again on Army Co-operation missions. 147 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack troop concentrations in the battle area in Italy. 41 B-17s of the 483rd Bomb Group dropped 117 tons of 500 pounders on AVEZZANO. All other ships returned bombs to base. The town of AVEZZANO was well covered with bombs.
May 24
77 B-17s of the 301st and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the AVISIO visduct, Italy. 15/20 enemy aircraft were encouontered, 10 of which were destroyed and 4 probably destroyed. W suffered no loses. Bombing concentrated in the target area.
137 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th and 463rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the ATZGERSDORF aircraft components plant in Austria. 128 ships dropped 384 tons of 500 pound bombs on the target. Bombing was effected by PFF method through an overcast and there were no results observed. Photos indicate bombing was some miles south of the target. 40/50 enemy aircraft were encountered, 10 of which were destroyed and 3 probably destroyed against a loss of 3 B-17s.
May 25
168 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the LYON/VENISSIEUX marshalling yards in France. 35 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group, off course, encountered intense, accurate flak at 8,000 feet over PROSINONE, Italy, which damaged many bombers and scattered the formation. Unable to regain formation, the group returned to base. 8 other Fortresses returned early. 124 aircraft dropped 367 tons of 500 and 1,000 pounders with good to excellent results. 2 aircraft collided on return leg of mission and were destroyed.
May 26
160 B-17s of the 2nd, 97th, 301st, 463rd and 483rd bomb groups were dispatched to attack the ST. ETIENNE marshalling yards in France. 147 ships dropped 439 tons of 500 pounders with excellent results. There were no losses.
36 B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group dropped 108 tons of 500 pound bombs on BIHAC, Yugoslavia troops and supply concentrations with fair to good results. No losses were suffered.
May 27
167 Fortresses from 5 bomb groups took off to attack AVIGNON, France marshalling yards. 163 aircraft dropped 474 tons of 500 pound bombs with excellent results. No opposition was encountered and we suffered no losses.
32 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group dropped 61 tons of 100 pound general purpose bombs on RAZANAK PORT, Yugoslavia. Bomb strike photos show a heavy concentration in the town with some bombs in the harbor area. No opposition and no losses.
May 28
Non operational.
May 29
168 B-17s, all groups, attacked the WALLERSDORF airdrome and installations in Austria. The installations were well covered and 12 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. About 150 enemy fighters attempted interception but, due to excellent escort, they were driven off. 3 bombers were lost.
May 30
56 B-17s of the 301st and 463rd bomb groups attacked the ZAGREB, Yugoslavia east marshalling yards. 93 tons of bombs were dropped with good to excellent results. We suffered no losses.
May 31
36 B-17s of the 301st and 463rd bomb groups attacked the PLOESTI marshalling yards and the ZENIA Oil Refinery, Roumania. 130 tons of 250 pound bombs were dropped with excellent results. Flak was intense and in close but all bombers returned to base.