5th BW Missions October 1943
October 1 - Augsberg, Germany
B-17s had an all oout effort against Augsburg A/C factory, Austria, but due to 10/10 cloud cover at the target bombers were forced to bomb targets of opportunity which included a four barge convoy and town of Kenipten or Cundelfingen. Bombers were attacked by 60 to 65 enemy aircraft which resulted in 8 enemy aircraft being destroyed. We lost one B-17, cause unknown. P-38s furnished escort, made no claims.
October 3
P-38s patrolled east and north of Corsica.
October 4 - RR/BDG & M/Y: Bolzano, Italy; M/Y: Pisa, Italy
36 B-17s of each group attacked marshalling yards at Pisa, and R.R. bridge at Bolzano, Italy. A most successful mission. The 97th Bomb Group was attached by 20 enemy aircraft resulting in 4 ME 109s destroyed. We suffered no losses.
October 5 - M/Y: Bologna, Italy
B-17s, all groups attacked marshalling yards at Bologna, Italy. The 2nd Bomb Gp encountered 25-30 enemy aircraft resulting in 8 ME 109s destroyed. The 2nd Bomb Group lost one aircraft due to flak. Another very successful mission.
October 6 - M/Y: Mestre, Italy
B-17s, three groups, attacked R. R. yards at Mestre, Italy. Bombing was good - with the 99th Bomb Group having a good concentration in assigned target area. The 99th Bomb Group encountered 25 - 30 enemy aircraft, resulting in 13 enemy aircraft destroyed, against the loss of 2 B-17s.
October 7
Mission to Larissa A/D, Greece, cancelled because of weather. P-38s operated out of Gambut #2, Libya, flying 5 missions as convoy escort.
October 8
No mission for heavies. P-38s made a fighter sweep to Leros Is. - also flew 4 missions as convoy escort.
October 9 - A/Ds: Athens, Argos, Larissa & Salonica, Greece
B-17s, all groups, attacked A/Ds in vicinity of Athens, Greece. Resulting in hangars, administration buildings, and some enemy aircraft being destroyed on ground. Approximately 35 enemy aircraft encountered at target of which 6 were destroyed. We suffered no losses. 8 P-38s, one early return, continued convoy patrol - sighted 25-30 JU-87s coming from direction of Scarpenti, trailed by one JU-88. JU-87s attacked convoy, 4 P-38s attacked JU-87s, leaving 3 P-38s for top cover. From 8 to 10 JU-87s completed bomb run, remainder jettisoning their bombs. As a result of the combat, 16 JU-87s were destroyed, also the trailing JU-88, the later being shot down by top cover, whe it attacked rear of P-38s.
October 10 - Tatol A/D: Athens, Greece
18 B-17s each group attacked Athens/Tatoi A/D, Greece. Two groups covered dispersal areas, destroying 21 enemy aircraft, while the other two groups attacked installations, causing considerable damage. The 99th Bomb Group was attacked by 20 enemy aircraft of which 4 were destroyed. We lost one B-17.
October 14 - M/Y: Terni, Italy; RR/BDG: Guilianova, Italy
Three groups of heavies were out today. Two groups attacked the Terni M/Ys with good results, the other group attacked Stagione di Avigna with fair results. Formations were attacked by 45/50 enemy aircraft resulting in 6 enemy aircraft destroyed. We lost one B-17 to enemy fighters. P-38 escort lost bombers in clouds.
October 15
Mission cancelled because of weather.
October 16
Heavies mission cancelled because of weather. P-38s checked landing grounds and airdromes in Sardinia.
October 17
Heavies mission cancelled because of weather. P-38s again checked L/Gs in Sardinia.
October 18
Missions cancelled because of weather.
October 19
Missions cancelled because of weather.
October 20 Casale & Marcigliana L/Gs: Roam, Italy; RR/BDG: Baschi, Italy
Three heavy groups bombed R. R. bridge south of Orvieto, L/G at Marcigliano, and L/G at Rome/Casale. 15 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground; bridge believed to be unserviceable. 6 enemy aircraft were encountered by bombers - no claims. P-38s furnished escort. One B-17 crash landed in water but crew was saved.
October 21 - RR/HWY/BDG: Albinia, Italy; Railroad Viaduct: Terni, Italy
Two groups of heavies out to bomb R. R. viaduct NE of Terni and bridge in vicinity of Albinia L/G, Italy. Bridge severed - no hits on viaduct. No encounters by bombers. P-38s furnished escort.
October 22
Mission cancelled for heavies due to weather. P-38s escorted B-25s, no enemy aircraft seen.
October 23
Heavies left home base for advanced staging area.
October 24 - A/C Components Factory: Wiener Neustadt, Austria; M/Y: Ebenfurth, Austria
Maximum heavies, all groups, left from advanced staging areas in Italy for an attack on Wiener Neustadt. Because of bad weather only one group dropped bombs on Edenfurth, with a few direct hits on rolling stock. P-38s furnished escort.
October 25
No mission.
October 26
No mission.
October 27
No mission.
October 28
No mission.
October 29 - M/Y: Genoa, Italy
36 B-17s, each group, were to attack Turin ball bearing works in two waves. Due to weather all groups attacked Genoa M/Y instead with extensive damage to yards and adjacent buildings. P-38s furnished escort. The 2nd Bomb Group lost one B-17 over the target from a direct flak hit in wing.
October 30 - Ball Bering Factory: Turin, Italy; Docks & Shipping: Savonna, Italy
All four groups again set out to attack Turin ball bearing works buy weather prevented bombing. One group, the 97th, bombed Savona, with excellent results. One B-17, of the 301st Bomb Group, was lost because of flak.
October 31 - Railroad Viaduct: Antheor, France
18 B-17s of the 301st and 99th Bomb Groups attacked a R. R. viaduct at Antheor, Italy. Viaduct destroyed. No flak, no fighters.