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EIGHTH AIR FORCE

TACTICAL MISSION REPORT i

OPERATION No.

REPORT OF SHUTTLE BOMBING MISSION

6-12 AUGUST 1944

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Authority Of HEIADQUARTERS EIGHtH AIR FOHOE

APO 634

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REPORT OF SHUTTLE BOMBING MISSION

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6*0.2 AUGUST, 1944

MISSION TARGET DATE

UNITED nNC3D(M TO RUSSIA RAMEL, Pa&AMD 6 AUGUST, 19U1.

o RUSSIA TO POUND TO RUSSIA TRZEBINIA, FOI^AND 7 AUGUST, 1944

3. RUSSIA TO ITALI BUZAU AND 25ILISTEA, 8 AUGUST, 1944

• RUMANIA

4. ITALITO UNITED KINCDQM TOULOUSE, FRANCE 12 AUGUST, 1944

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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORGE APO 634

19 May 1945

SUBJECTS Report of Shuttle Bombing Mission, 6-12 August, 1944.

TO Commanding General, Array Air Forces, Washington 25, D.C. (Through Channels)*

1* lIMSSiMiSJL a. Operation No. j^U

Targets.b.

(l) Aircraft Components Factory, Rahrael, near Gdynia, Poland, 6 August, 1944*

(2) Oil Refinery at Trzebinia, Poland, 7 August, 1944.

• (3) Buzau and Zilistea, Rumania, $ August, 1944. (4) Toulouse Airfield, France, 12 August, 1944.

2. PlJib^kiMM™. a. At a conference on 2 August held at USSTAF Eastern Command

Headquarters, Russian representatives requested assistance against G.A.F, which,units based on the Eastern Front were hampering movements of troops

and supplies by attacks on lines of communications. It was suggested that the American forcer-3 concentrate their efforts against enemy airfields located immediately south of the lasi-Akkerman front in Rumania and also oil targets inKrakow and Upper Silesia (the nature of the latter targets necessitated use of heavy bombers) and due to the advances it was considered imperative that the air attacks be conducted before 5 August, While this date was indicated as a deadline, itwas understood that progress might slacken so that the targets in upper Silesia would be available for attack

• over a longer period.

b. On the basis of these requirements, Headquarters USSTAF made the decision to operate against as many of the targets as possible,

' Cir­

cumstances permitted only one operation (the Fifteenth Air Force dis*­patched /$ P-33's and 36 P-^l!s against the airfield at Foesani, Rumania, on 4 August) before the indicated deadline bub decision was made to dis­patch as many missions as possible during the month of August against targets in support of the Russian;*. The Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces were to be used alternately. The Eighth Air Force was thereupon instructed to conduct its second heavy bomber mission to Russia as soon after 5 August as weather conditions permitted rather than 12 August as originally scheduled.

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1. TARGET.

a, Aircraft Components Factory at Rahmel, near Gdynia, Poland.

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a. The 3rd Bomb Division had been previously designated to pro­vide the necessary forces to carry out such shuttle -bombing operations to Russia as might be required. The tank force for this particular mission was to consist of tvo B-17 Combat Wings (three 13-aircraft Groups) and a P-51 Group (four Squadrons), the latter to operate as fighter-bombers when not required to support the 8~17 f s, The task force commander, 3rd Bomb Division Headquarters and Eighth Air Force Headquarters, participated in the

numerous preliminery plans and preparations necessary to permit the execu­tion of the mission on the first day for which a satisfactory weather forecast was made.

b. On 5 August favorable weather was predicted not only for the shuttle mission but for large-scale operations to northern and central Germany such as itwas highly desirable to perform in conjunction with the United Kingdom to Russia phase of the shuttle missions. The prediction of 2-4Ao cumulus over the target indicated good visual conditions and favorable weather was expected en route. Overcast, patchy fog and some haze was forecast in base areas but it was expected that they would be operational.

c. Hans were made to carry out the shuttle bombing mission in conjunction with a large-scale effort against targets in Hamburg, Kiel and Berlin areas. (See Report of Operation, No. 524., 6 August.) The objec­tive of the Russian task force was the aircraft components factory at Rahmel, near Gdynia, Poland. This force, after departing the English coast

• at O&4-5 hours, was scheduled to follow a northeasterly route converging with that of a larger formation of 3-17*3 at a point approximately midway of the North Sea crossing. From there to Heligoland the Russia-bound bombers were to flybelow and slightly behind the lead of the other force. At a point near the coast the large formation was to turn on a southeasterly heading towards its targets in the Berlin area leaving the two Rahmel Combat Wings to continue their easterly course across the Jutland Peninsula and over the Baltic Sea. After turning inland at a point approximately 4.0 miles northwest of Latienburg, their InitialPoint, the bombers were to make their bombing runs on duo easterly headings. After bombing, the Combat Wings, in order to avoid the Gdynia and Danzig anti-aircraft defenses, were to turn sharply to the north and then due" east for approximately 25 miles before taking up a southeasterly heading to the USSTAF Eastern Command- bases at Mirgorod and Poltava. The aircraft were to arrive at the-

• bases one Combat Wing at each as early in the day as practicable(about 1700 hours) to. facilitate dispersals and maintenance. Plans were then to be made for one or more operations from the Russian bases and for return via Italy. The bombers were scheduled to attack their primary targets at 1301 hours on upwind runs from an altitude of 23*000 feet.

d. Itwas not believed that this force would experience any attack before reaching the Gdynia area, the likelihood being that such enemy aircraft as might be in a position to intercept would be drawn in­land towards Hamburg and Berlin by the major operation against targets in those areas. Three P-51 filter Groups were detailed to furnish close support for this force. One Group was to rendezvous northwest of Heligo­land and a second Group at a point approximately 100 miles east of the Jutland coast # These two Groups were to provide cover, if endurance per­mitted, as far as the target but not beyond as they were to return to home bases. The third Group of four Squadrons (72 aircraft) was to rendezvous approximately 4-0 miles northwest of the Initial Point and fly 2000 feet above the bombers unless enemy aircraft attempted attacks. The distance over which this Group could be expected to furnish escort would depend on the extent and duration of enemy fighter opposition, but in any event it was anticipated that support would be rendered for a good portion of the flight across Russia. The fighter Group was scheduled to land at the Eastern Command bade at Piryatin.-Notes See "Routes" Annex Over- AllPlan for bomber routes, timings and fighter rendezvous points.

3. SffiGUTION.

Targeta. Bombed ,

(l) Aircraft Components Factory at Rahmel, near Gdynia, Poland.

b. Take-Off and Assembly.

(l) Low ceiling and somewhat limited visibility on the ground prevailed at the time of take-off for the two B-17 Combat Wings of 3rd Bomb Division but the bombers ascended without incident. No difficulties were experienced in completing Group and "Wing assemblies although the force formed at 8,000 feet instead of the briefed altitude of 4,000 feet due to a layer of stratus cloud. As the first control point was approached in England, the task force commander contacted the second Combat Wing and it was determined that it would be 10 minutes late. Accordingly, a 360° turn was made at Southwold by the lead Combat Wing to enable the other Wing to join the formation. At the completion of the turn, the second Wing was in trail by approximately two minutes (briefed three mnutos). The formation departed the English coast at 0355 hours, 10 minutes behind schedule. A total of 75 B-17's were dispatched on this operation.

Penetration,

• c.

(l) During the briefed flight across the North Sea, the formation was able to regain the lost time and cross the enemy coast at the Jutland Peninsula approximately five minutes earlier than scheduled. The planned course was followed to the InitialPoint, with the bombers achieving bombing altitude before reaching that point.

(2) The first P-51 Group, detailed to join the bombers northwest of Heligoland, failed to make rendezvous and it was subse­quently determined that it escorted another force, in all probability Ist Bomb Division, towards Berlin. As a result, the shuttle force flew unescorted to a point approximately 60 miles east of Jutland, where the second P-51 Group made rendezvous approximately eight minutes early. The third P~5l Group, scheduled to make rendezvous 40 miles northwest of the InitialPoint, was late and did not meet the bombers until they began withdrawal.

(3) No enemy aircraft were observed by the bombers or escorting fighters, nor was any anti-aircraft fire reported. en route.

Targetd. Area.

(l) Excellent weather conditions for visual bombing% generally prevailed in the target area but sighting operations of one Group were slightly hindered by a low cloud. Allunits attacked the assigned objective approximately 10 minutes earlier than scheduled, at 1251-1254 hours (briefed 1301 hours), from an altitude of 22,735-24,791 feet (brief od 25, 000 feet). Soferty-five 8~17 T s released 109.2 tons of HE,

(2) Striko and reconnaissance photographs indicated the following results*

\u2666Aircraft Components Factory at Rahroel, near Gdynia, Poland (75-B~l7's dropped 437x500 HE) Bombs hit the target in a north­west-southeast direction. Two main assembly or repair shops and a hangar in the southwest area were damaged slightly and two stores and dismantling shops in the south, previouslydamaged, were hit again, one being almost completely destroyed.At least 15 store-type buildings, some of which had been previously damaged, were entirely demolished 'and nine or 10others, including a hoadquarters-type building, wore hit forthe first time. Over 50 craters were visible in a small area of the factory 'airfield in the southeast corner, where over 20 hits were on tarmacs and taxi tracks. The road passingthrough the factory from east to west was cut by at least 10

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craters. Approximately seven small and two large aircraft were damaged and three small aircraft were destroyed.

* See "Bombing" .Annex for photographs.

(3) The P-51 Group which had rendezvoused on the penetra­tion continued to provide close escort through the target area* No enemy aircraft v/ere reported by either bombers or fighters and the anti-aircraft fire encountered at the target was meager to moderate and very inaccurate,

c, Withdrawal •

•

(l) The Combat Wings rallied as planned over the Gulf of Danzig, the lead Wing l!S!t-ing in order that the following Combat Wing could close up the formation, A let-down to 17,000 feet was started by the bombers and, after crossing the Russian battle line, the Groups descended to 4,000 feet and flew the remainder of the trip below the cloud bases • The briefed routo was followed and the Eastern Command bases were reached at 1700 hours, approximately one-half earlier than briefed. The Combat Wing assigned to the base at Mirgorod required a longer time to land as rainstorms were encountered and identification of base was difficult.

(2) The P-51 Group detailed to meet the bomber force prior to the -InitialPoint and escort it to Russia., rendezvoused at the Rally Point as fighters were approximately 10 minutes late and the Combat Wings were a few minutes oar^Ly, The P-51!s covered the bombers as far as their base at Piryatin, breaking escort there at approximately 1630 hours.

•

(3) The bombers encountered approximately 20 enemy aircraft, FW-190's and l?s~lo9 T s, at 1325 hours in the vicinity of Allenstein, Germany(about 60 miles southeast of the Gulf of Danzig). Four I'fo-109 f s attacked the high Group of the leading Combat Wing from 12 o Tclock high and nine FW~I90 f s and six MXLO9's attacked the low Group of the second Combat Wing from 2 olclocko 1clock high with the combats taking place over a period of three minutes. The P~sl's dispersed the enemy aircraft before they could press home their attack. After the engagements, the enemy aircraft remained around the formation, well out of range, for 15 minutes but made no further attempt to intercept the bombers «

(4.) No anti-aircraft fire was reported on the flight to Russia after leaving the target area.

f. Fighter Support.

(l) Two of the throe assigned P-51 Groups operated in support o.f the shuttle bombing force, the third having inadvertentlyjoined another formation operating against targets in the Berlin area. The Group which rendezvoused near the Jutland Peninsula returned to its baso in England! the other Group continued to Russia. Those two Groupsdispatched 116 aircraft, of which number 113 completed sorties. (SeeReport on Operation No, 52/,., 6 August, 1944, for data concerning third P-51 Group -A3 aircraft dispatched, 39 aircraft sortied. )

£. Losses, Battle Damage and Claims.

(l) Bombers

(a) All the bombers reached their destination but Eastern Command reported of major and2 instances 21 instances of limitedbattle damage. One eneny aircraft was claimed as damaged.

(2) Fighters

(a) No fighters were lost from the two P-51 Groups

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which supported the bombers on this mission nor was there any battle damage reported. Claims from aerial combat, all made by the Group protecting the final phase 5 were 2 destroyed and 2 damaged.

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i. !HlT§.

a. Oil Refinery at Trzebinia, Poland.

p PLANNING

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a. Planning for the mission from Russia to Poland was completed by the tasl1: force commander, operations and intelligence officers, who accompanied the force, and the commander of the fighter Group. In accordance -with a Russian request, the oil refinery at Trzebinia, Poland (in vicinity of Krakow) was selected as the objective. The plans for this operation, vjero fully coordinated with Eastern Command, USSTAF and Fif­teenth Air Force.

b. The two B-17 Combat Wings, consisting of 60 operational bombers, and approximately 37 P-51's were scheduled to participate in the day T s effort, A substantially direct route was proposed for the flight to the target and back to the Eastern Command bases in Russia, The assigned objective was to be attacked at 1254- hours from 21,000 foot.

3. BXSCpTION.

a. Take-Off and Assembly,

• (l) The Combat Wing from Poltava completed its assembly hj

0915 hours at 7000 feet and proceeded to Mirgorod, whore the other Combat Wing was to join the formation. Duo to the required dispersal of aircraft on the field and heavy rains of the preceding day, many of the B-17's were mired in the -iuc! and difficulties were encountered in extricating them in time for scheduled take-offs. A 20-minute dolay in leaving the field was requested by the second Combat Wing, and it was granted. The lead Wing had to make two 360° turns before Division assembly was achieved at 0952

dispatched.hours. A total of 57 B*-17 fs wore

b. Penetration.

(l) The climb to bombing altitude was started at 1000 hours and reached by the time the battle lino was crossed at 1252 hours. The briefed westerly course to the InitialPoint was followed, the second Combat Wing following the first at tho specified threc~minute interval. The 37 P-51's rendezvoused north of Lwow, Poland, as briefed.

(,?) No enemy aircraft were reported by bombers or fighters but ground dofonses were in action on the flight to the target. At Sandomierz, Poland, tho anti-aircraft fire was inaccurate, meager and heavy and at Katowice, Poland, it was moderate, fairly accurate and heavy.

c # Target Area.

(l) T-.io leading Combat Wing made visual bomb runs without incident but the 6/10 scattered cloud arid heavy smoko caused some difficulty for the following Combat Wing. By maneuvering around the clouds, two of its Groups raanaged to synchronize their bombsights for good runs but the remaining Group ,yjhich made a second run because smoke in the target inter­fered with sighting on the initial approach, dropped its bombs short and to

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the risrht. The assigned objective was attacked at 1324.-1335 hours (briefed 1254. hours) from an altitude of 19,576-21,600 feet (briefed 21,000 feet) by 55 3-17 fs releasing 109 tons of HE.

(2) Bomb damage assessed from strike photographs «- no recon­naissance cover was obtained *• is summarized as follows­ -

Oil Refinery, Tr?,ebinia, Poland (55 B-17's released 872x250 HE) Eastern Command Headquarters reported that three large and 10 medium storage tanks were destroyed and severe damage was caused to the wax extraction, oil compounding, oilpurifi­cation and dispatch buildings and slight damage was done to the petrol treatment building and one distillation unit. Storage facilities were also hit. The coke plant in the mar­shalling yard to the south was blanketed with craters and two long trains were hit.

(3) The P-51!s escorted the bombers through the target. One

• FW-190 made one fast head-on attack against the low Group of the leading Combat Wing and the fighters reported engagements with six to eight enemy aircraft, destroying three of them. The anti-aircraft fire was moderate

but slightly low.and fairly accurate

d. Withdrawal.

(l) The Combat Wings reformed at the Rally Point and the briefad return route to Russia was flown as planned. The P-51 Ts furnished close oscort to a point approximately 40 miles 'southeast of Krako?/, Poland, The bombers let down after crossing the battle line, and reached their bases at 1730 hours.

(2) No enemy aircraft were encountered during the withdrawal nor was any anti-aircraft fire reported.

g. Fighter Support.

• (l) The fighter Group supporting this operation dispatched 37 P-51 !s and sorties wero completed by 35*

f. Losses, Battle Damage and CD-aims.

(l) Bombers.

(a) Allbombers returned but there were 4- instances of major (Category HAGI! or "15")and 18 instances of minor (Category "A") battle damage. Tho 1 enemy aircraft encountered was claimed destroyed.

(2) Fighters.

(a) All the fighters returned safely, sustaining no battle damage. Claims were 3 enemy aircraft destroyed.

RUMpI4 TO ITALICS August 1944 1i> tJPTPrnc!IT

a. Airfield at Biiziltt, Rumania, b. Airfield,at Ziitotea, Rumania.

2. PLANNING.

a. In compliance with a Russian request through Eastern Command

Headquarters ,the task for.cc commander and operational staff made plans to attack the important airfields at Busau and Zilistea, Rumania, and then proceed to bases in Italy. The weather forecast for ft August indicated good visual conditions and final details for execution of the mission were com­pleted after full coordination with Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force. Bombing was to be at 1110 hours from 21,000 feet. All of the 74- operational B-17's and 63 P*-51's were to participate in this operation, one Combat Wing being assigned to each airfield. The flight to the target was to be direct on a southwesterly heading and, after attacking the airfields, the force was to continue on a southwesterly heading as far as the northeast coast of Albania and then turn due west across the Adriatic Sea to the east coast of Italy.

3. EXECUTION.

a. Take-off and Assembly,

(l) Take-off and Group and Combat Wing assemblies were com'

pleted without difficulty. The lead Combat Wing was five minutes late at the assembly point and as a consequence the force made its departure a few minutes late. A total of 74- B-17 f s were dispatched in the two Combat Wings which wore separated by the gpocifiod three -minute interval.

# b, Jfonetration.

(l) The briefed route was followed to the target and the escorting fighters rendezvoused as scheduled.

(2) No enemy aircraft were observed by the bombers but the fighters ro^ortod approximately 35 enemy aircraft at 1009 hours southwest of Nikolaev, Only eight were engaged as the rest evaded and one enemy fighter was destroyed. No ground defenses were seen in action along the route.

• c. Target i^rea.

(l) Tho weathsr encountered in the target area enabled all units to attack visually tho resigned objective's. Seventy- three B~r7 !s released 144.7 tons of HE at 1115-1121 hours (briefed 1110 hours) from an altitude of 20,300-24,694 foot (briefed 21,000 foet).

(2) Bombing: results bc.ced on strike photographs, as no reconnaissance photographs arc available, are siMmariaed as follows1

*Buzau Airfield, Rumania (37 B-17's released 140x250 ­K.B, Russian (7716], lbs.) andF.A.3. bombs 280x250 and 5x500 HE) Approxi­

mately 150 bursts blanketed at loast half the barracks area and one, possibly two, of the three hangars. At least 20 scattered bursts woro seen on the landing ground. Of the 74aircraft visible at the time of attack , two were probablydamaged.

*ZilistoT. Airfield, Rumania (36 B-17's dropped 536x250 and 12x500Ik) - Two concentrations of bursts were seen in the target area, one on tho southwest hangar aro?. and the other on the landingground near the. barraclrs area in the center of the airfield.Of B2 aircraft visible at the time of tho attack, three were probably damaged or destroyed.

* Sco "Bombing" Annox for photographs .

(3) There wore no enomy aircraft encounters by eitherbombers or fi-htoro. Anti-aircraft firo at thy target was moderate andinaccurate.

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d. Withdrawal.

(l) The Combat Wing rally v/as effected as planned and the force withdrew in good formation. On the flight to the bases in Italy it became necessary to climb to ?M>ooo feet and to alter the course to the loft in order to avoid built-up altostratus cloud. The fighters broke off approximately midway between the target and Italy. The enemy coast was crowed at 13A3 hours and the Italian bases were reached at.- 1500 hours.

(2) No enemy aircraft were encountered but ground defenses were in action at Ploesti and Bucharest.

g. Fijhter Summary.

(l) Sixty- three ?-51 f s were dispatched to provide close escort on this mission and 55 were credited with sorties. Eight P-51's had to return to Eus?.:ia for various reasons but they rejoined the' task force in Italy on the 9th of August.

• f. Losses 5 Battle Damage and Claims.

(l) Bombers.

(a) illbombers reached the designated Italian bases. Incomplete battle damage reports indicated that only three aircraft stis­tainod -major damage. There were no claims.

(a) The P-51 T s landed in Italy without loss or battle damage. There was a single claim, 1 enemy aircraft destroyed.

ITALY.5-11 August. I%L

1, The entire task force was stood down on 9 August to rest the combat crow? and provide ,-/.i opportunity for a thorough chock "-up of the

» aircraft in preparation for return to England, thoro having been 31 operational hours in the throe consocutiva drys.

2, leather conditions prevented bomber missions on 10 and 11 August. On the earlier date tho fighters, operating as two Groups of 17 and 28 aircraft ? in conjunction with tho Fifteenth Air Force provided escort on a troop carrier evacuation, mission. Thoro wore A5 P*-51's dispatched and 38 completed uneventful sorties.

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a. Airfield, Toulonno/EY-incaSalj Franco,

2. ?!UMIM a. On tho basis of a favorable weather forecast for the Mcdi­

terranean ?.roaf and Franco, plane were completed to have the two Combat Wingsof B-17 !s attack the Toulouse (Franoazal) airfield in southern France and roti'im to their Eighth Air Forco bases in Bnf-land. Time over target was set at 1144 hourrj, bombing altitude at 21,000 feet. Fifteenth Air Force unit3wore to attack targets in tho same area while other Eighth Air Force units were scheduled against airfields around Reims. Paris and Metz between1000 and 1100 hours.

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b. The route wa.i to be essentially direct. The shuttle force, upon leaving the Italian bases, was to fly duo west across Italy, norths west over the Mediterranean Sea to the French coast at Narbonne. The bombing run was to be made on a westerly heading. Withdrawing from the target area, the bombers were to, proceed directly north to Selsey Billon the 'southern coast of England. The returning' P-51 Group was scheduled to rendezvous with' the bombers in the Golfe dv Lion, between Corsica and the French coast, and escort to the limit of endurance. Two other P-51 Groups

from England were scheduled to cover the withdrawal of the bombers from the target area.

3, SICUTION. a. Take -Off and Assembly.

• (l) The bombers took off between 0610 and 0630 hours and

Combat Wing and Division assemblies were completed without incident by 0800 hours. The formation departed as two Combat Wings flying in trail with a two-minute interval. Seventy-three B-17 !s were dispatched.

b. Penetration.

(l) The briefed course v/as followed to the target. The enemy coast ?ia« crossed at 1114 hours at the bombing altitude of 21,000 foot. Rendezvous by the P-51 Group was made essentially as planned prior to the time the force reached the French coast.

(2) Noithor the bombers nor the fighters encountered any enemy aircraft and no ground defenses were reported as being in action.

c. Target Area.

(l) The weather prevailing in the target areas was l-2/lOcumulus below 5000 foot and all units attacked the assigned primary target visually. Ground haae interfered slightly with sighting operations. Sixt; nine B~l7's released 171 tons of KB at 1147-11 53 hours (briefed 114-4 hours;T from altitudes of 21,100-22,700 feot (briefed 21,000 feet). Bombing re­sults are summarised as followc:• ­

*Toulouso Airfiold, Franco (69 B-17's released 634x500 HS) Strike and reconnaissancG photographs showed damage was inflicted upon the three hangar areas of the airfield, with the most concentrated attack on the south and northwest hangar areas. Fourteen hangars were damaged, administrative buildings and workshops were seriously affected and fuel areas were hit. The landing ground showed craters only about the edges near the hangars to tho south and northwest.

* See '^Bombing" Annex for photographs.

(2) lh enemy aircraft were reported by the bombers but es­corting fighters sighted one aircraft, believed to be a Ju-I#3, at 1145 in tho vicinity of Toulouse and claim to havo destroyed it, Tho anti­aircraft fire in the target area was moderate and inaccurate.

Withdrawal,d.

(l) There wore no important deviations from the planned coiirso. The', bombers crossed the English coast at 1424 hours as scheduled.

(2) Fighter cover to England was executed generally as planned. The shuttle fighter Group broke escort approximately midway on

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The Groups from England rendezvoused at 1212 andthe withdrawal. two P-51 1230 hours and remained with the bombers ar» far as Cherbourg.

(3) No enemy aircraft were reported by either bombers or fighters nor was any anti-aircraft fire encountered.

c. Fighter Support,

(l) Fighter escort for the bombers returning from the There wereshuttle mission to Russia was provided by three P-51 Groups.

com­112 fighters, including 62 returning from Italy, and 105 aircraft pleted mission*

f, Losseo, Battle Damage and Claims,

(l) Bombers.

(a) Allbombers returned to their bases in England and available battle damage reports indicate that only 1bomber sustained minor battle damage from anti-aircraft fire. There were no claims.

(2) Fighters.

> (a) All the escorting fighters returned but there was 1instance of Category 'W (salvage) damage. Claims included 1 enemy air­craft destroyed in aerial combat.

CTOc^LLJUMM^Yi

1. BOTERS.

a, Sevanty- sight B-17 !s were dispatched from England on the first phase of the operation on the 6th of August and 75 aircraft landed at Russian bases. Throe aircraft abandoned the mission and returned to England as a result of mechanical failures. No bombers were lost. On the 7th of August, due to battle damage of the previous day, only 57 B-17 fs were dispatched on the mission to Poland, Two aircraft abandoned the mission and 55 returned to Russia, No aircraft wore lost, On the Bth of> August, 1L B-17's wore dispatched and 73 landed at Fifteenth Air Force bases in Italy. One aircraft returned to Russia and another was left for repairs. Ho bombers were lost* On the 12th of August, 73 B-17*s were dispatched from Italy for the return trip to England and 70 aircraft reached their home basas. No bombers were lost. Five of the other air­craft, part of this task force, returned to England at a later date.

2, FIGHTERS.

a. The fighter Group participating in the shuttle operation dispatched 65 P-51 'si as bomber escort on 6 August $ 64- of these aircraft reached the Russian base and one returned to England, On 7 August f 37 Prsl !s were dispatched in support of the bombers on the mission to Poland 1 35 sorties were made, all aircraft returning to Russia. On 8 August, 63 P-51 f s were dispatched with the bombers from Russia to Italy, 55 P-51 t s comrloted the mission, the roiaaining aircraft returning to Russia, On 10 August, 4,5 P-.sl*s operated in conjunction with the Fif­teenth Air Force in support of a troop carrier evacuation missions 38 sorties wore made. On this same date, the 8 P-51 !s arrived in Italy from Russia, On 12 August, 5B P«sl !s accompanied the bombers from

10

Italy to England ji subsequently the remaining 6 P-51 f s made a safe return. No fighters wore lost during tho entire shuttle operation.

FOR THE COMMA?©!M} GENERAL:

ROBERT H. TBRRILL' Colonel AC

Deputy C/S for Operations

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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE APO 634

TARGET: RAHMEL AIRCRAFT FACTORY AND AIRFIEID.

DATE; 6 AUGUST, 1944*

NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT ATTACKING: 75*» NUMBER OF BOMB{3 DROPPED: 437x500 H.E.

1. Strike photograph showing smoke rising from bursts which heavily blanketed the hangar and workshop area early in the attack and also new bursts at the west edge of this ares ,

* 2. Reconnaissance photograph obtained at 1320 hours

on 7 August, 1944 c

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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE APO 634

TARGET; BUZAU AIRFIELD, RUMANIA.

DATE: 8 AUGUST, 1944.

• NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT ATTACKING: 37.

NUMBER OF BOMBS DROPPED: 14-0x250 K.B. Russian F,A,B* 280x250 H.E. 5x500 H.E#

• 1, Strike photograph showing smoke from the areas of

previous bursts, also new bursts in the vicinity of two hangars and numerous other buildings at the north Fide of the airfield as well as scattered bursts in the wooded area and fields northwest of the airfield.

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HEIi^QUARTEES EIGHTH AIR FOPCE APO 634.

TARGET; ZILISTEA AIRFIELD, RUMANIA.

DATE; 8 AUGUST, 19U*

NUMBER OF AIRCR^,FT ATTACKING; 36•

NUMBER OF BOMBS DROPPED; 536x250 H.E.

#

1. Strike photograph showing all bursts on airfield and its facilities.

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3 AUG 44 ZILISTEA A/F(ROUMANIA)SAY 390/842-7

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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE APO 634

TARGET} TOULOUSE/JBANCAZAL AIRFIEID, FRANCE.

DATE: 12 AUGUST, 1944.

NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT ATTACKING: 69

NUMBER OF BOMBS DROPPED: 684*500 H.E,

» 1. Strike photograph showing bursts on the north and north

west hangars late in the attack.

2. Approximate Bomb Plot,

• 3» Reconnaissance photograph obtained ft 1300 hours on

14 August, 1944 \u2666

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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE APO 634

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BOMBING DATA

6-12 August, 1944

DIRECT. LENGTH TIME OF NTBUBER OF RANGE DROPPED GROUP OF RUN OF RUN ALTITUDE RELEASE AFCE MANUAL BOMBS &DEFL. ON LDR.

BOMB DIVISION 13A & B

Rabmel <• 6 August

95A 059 Mm.Mm. 23,80023,800 12511251 X X 77x500 m 1 12

958 065 MiiwMiiw 24,79024,790 12521252 X X 75x500 HE 1 12

95C 046 Mm.Mm. 22,70022,700 12531253 X X 66x500 HE 1 11# 390 A. 08? Mm,Mm, 23,75023,750 12531253 X X 71x500 HE 1 11

3908 057 Mm.Mm. 24,79124,791 12541254 X X 70x500 HE 1 11

390 C 046 Mitt,Mitt, 22,73522,735 12541254 X X 73x500 HE 13-Trzebina 7 August

• 95A 233 1Mm. 20,576 1324 X X 170x250 HE 1 10

958 233 6 Min> 21,076 1325 X 127x250 HE 8

95C 233 4 Mm. 20,076 1335 X r 160x250 HE 10

390 A 221 13 Mm. 20,586 1326 X X 159x250 HE 10

3908 191 2 Mm, 21,600 1329 X X 96x250 HE 6

390 C 130 4 Mm. 19,576 1330 X X 160x250 HE 10

Buaau Kaux 8 August«\u25a0

95A 327 3 Mm. 24,186 1115 X X 184x250 HE 2 11

958 310 3 Mm. 24,654 1116 X X 136x250 HE 11

95C 306306 4 Mm. 20,300 1116 X 105x250 HE 1 12-Zilistea 8 August

390 A 326 10 Mm. 24,186 1120 X X 176x250 HE 11

39G8 320 MilW 23,000 112123,000 1121 174x250 HE 1 1155 Mm« X

390 C 320 5 Mm. 23,673 1121 X X 198x250 HE 1 12

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BOMBING DATA (Continued) 6-12 August,

DIRECT. LENGTH TIME OP NUMBER OF RANGE GBOUP OF RUN OF RIB ALTITUDE RELEASE AFCE MANUAL BOMBS &DEFL.

Toulouse Airfield •*\u25a0\u25a0 12 August

95A 326 2 Mm. 22,X55 1147 X

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•

X 118x500 HE 2

90x^00 HE

129x500 HE 1

109x500 HE 1

118*500 HE 1

120x500 HE

1944

DROPPED ON LDR.

10

9

12

10

11

12

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AJR FORCE APO 634

BOMBER SIHMAR:

6r12 August, 1944

to ItalyEN ROUTE TO RUSSIA Bombed from Russia en route AUGUST,88 august,6 AUGUST, 1944 7 august, 1944 19441944

A/c (IOTA/RAHMBL TRZEBINA, POLAND ZIJJSTEA, RUMANIA

assembly plant OIL REFINERY AIRFIEIP

Number a/d pispstohed 78 57 36 36Number Sorties 75 55 36Attack. Pri* 75 55

Bombs on Target Pri< (HE) 109.2 109.0\u2666 70,0

t 0 0 0Number A/C Lost

22 1Combat Damage 23 Cat* "A11 21 18 0

2 1Oat. »B" 4

23 22 1Cause* of Damage AA 23 22 1

Casualties

• 0 1 0Killed. 1 1 0Wounded

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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE APO 634

BOMBER SUMMARY

6*12 August, 1944­

EN ROUTE TO ITALY EN ROUTE TO U.K. 8 AUGUST, 1944 12 AUQUST, 1944 BUZAU KAUX, RUMANIA TOULOUSE, PRANCE OPERATION AIRFIELD rfx: TOTAL

232

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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE APO 634

FIGHTER SUMMARY

6r12 August, 1944­

A/C TYPE A/C SOR- EXEC* A/G CAT. DAM. KJA CLAIMS GROUP TYPE SUPPORT DISP. TIES ASSGN, LOST %« OTH. MIA WD* DES. PROB, DAM.

OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF SHUTTLE MISSION TO RUSSIA

ENGLAND TO RUSSIA 6 AUGUI

4848 AS iAS i00 00 00 000 0 0

6565 64 i64 i00 00 00 0 0 2 0 2

U3U3 112 i112 i00 00 00 0 0 2 0 t

RUSSRUSS JIAJIAi TOi POLA]TO POLA] 77 AlAlEIGUSEIGUS5T5T

35 35 0 0 035 35 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0

RUSSIA TO ITALY 8 & ? AUGUSTRUSSIA TO ITALY 8 & ? AUGUST

55 55 0 0 055 55 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

• 8 8 0 0 08 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 71 63 63 0 0 063 63 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

SPECIAL ESCORT IN ITALYSPECIAL ESCORT IN ITALY

357 A P-.51 Pen, 17 11 1111 11 00 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tgt. W/b

3578 P-51 Pen* 29 27 2727 27 00 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tgt. W/D

Total U5 38 3838 38 00 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0

ITALY TOITALY E3TO E3SfiGJSfiGJ <ASD<ASD 12 AUGUST12 AUGUST

357 P-51357 Pen,P-51 Pen, 6262 5353 5858 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 00Tgt.Tgt. w/dw/d

55 P-5155 WybP-51 Wyb 2525 2525 2323 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

339 F-51339 W/DF-51 W/D 2525 HH 2U2U 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

TotalTotal 112112 107107 105105 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 00

OPERATION TOT/iLOPERATION TOT/iL 331331 356356 353353 00 00 00 00 00 77 00 22

NOTE; This t*Toup failed to rendezvous with the Shuttle Bomberß but supported the main operation of the daau data is included in the Report of

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