12th / 15th AAF MEDITERRANEAN
THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
Unpublished Photos of Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941
Text
Last Update 11/21/2010
APRIL 1943 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
THURSDAY, 1 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40's escort bomber missions. Medium and light bombers hit
parked airplanes and AA batteries at El Maou Airfield at Sfax.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia during the night of 31 Mar/1 Apr, RAF Wellingtons bomb the
Bizerte docks and Karouba Bay seaplane base. During the day, A-20's bomb La
Fauconnerie and El Djem Airfields. Fighters, carrying out reconnaissance
missions over wide areas of Tunisia, attack motor transport, tanks, and guns
in the Sidi Mansour-Djebel Tebaga areas. British medium and light bombers, and
fighters hit gun positions N of Oued el Akarit and hit the Sfax-El Maou
Airfield.
The 17th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20's transfers from Nouvion, Algeria to Ras El Ma, French Morocco.
The 96th Fighter Squadron, 92d Fighter Group with P-38's transfers from
Telergma, Algeria to Berteaux, Algeria.
FRIDAY, 2 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 1/2 Apr, RAF Liberators, under the operational
control of the IX Bomber Command, bomb the ferry terminal at Messina and the
airfield at Crotone. During the day, 2 B-24's on a special mission bomb the
ferry terminals at Messina and Villa San Giovanni; 27 B-24's sent against
Naples find the target totally obscured by clouds; 9 bomb the area through
overcast and 3 bomb Augusta and Crotone.
In Sicily, 24 B-24's sent to attack Palermo abort because of heavy clouds
over the target.
In Tunisia, P-40's fly 9 armored reconnaissance and 6 fighter-bomber and
escort missions.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25's and A-20's bomb the airfield at La Fauconnerie.
SATURDAY, 3 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25's the bomb Sfax-El Maou area during the night of 2/3 Apr.
P-40's fly fighter-bomber missions N of Gabes.
HQ, 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 434th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) with B-25's transfer from El Assa, Libya to Medenine, Tunisia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
Weather cancels Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) bomber
operations.
In Tunisia, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters strafe
tanks and trucks at Kebira and Jabal Nasir Allah, and claim 14 aircraft downed
in aerial combat over Djebel Berda. B-25's bomb the airfield at Sainte-Marie du
Zit. Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) light bombers hit motor transport and gun
positions N of Oued el Akarit.
HQ, 81st Fighter Group and its 93d Fighter Squadron with P-39's transfer
from Thelepte, Tunisia to Bone, Algeria to patrol the coast of Africa and
protect Allied shipping in the Mediterranean.
SUNDAY, 4 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's attack Naples, concentrating on the dock area.
In Sicily, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, bomb Palermo.
The 83d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) with
B-25's transfers from El Assa, Libya to Medenine, Tunisia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb small shipping at Carloforte on San Pietro Island.
B-17's hit Capodichino Airfield and the marshalling yards at Naples.
In Tunisia, P-38's dive-bomb a beached freighter off Cape Zebib. Other
P-38's escort the bombing raids. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
A-20's hit La Fauconnerie Airfield while B-25's hit El Djem and Sainte-Marie du
Zit airfields. Fighters accompany light and medium bombers on attacks, and
carry out numerous patrols, reconnaissance flights, and fighter sweeps over the
battle areas of Tunisia.
The 16th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20's transfers from Nouvion, Algeria to Ras el Ma, French Morocco.
The 111th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group with A-20's and
P-39's transfers from Oujda, French Morocco to Guercif, French Morocco.
MONDAY, 5 APRIL 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sicily during the night of 4/5 Apr, Northwest African Strategic Air Force
(NASAF) Wellingtons bomb the Trapani docks and shipping. During the day, B-17's
bomb the airfields at Boccadifalco and Milo.
In Tunisia, B-17's bomb airfields at Sidi Ahmed and Tunis. B-25's hit the
airfield at Bo Rizzo and attack a convoy off Cap Bon. P-38's fly several
fighter sweeps over the Straits of Sicily. One force of fighters claims 16
airplanes destroyed. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) A-20's hit
the Airfield at El Djem and La Fauconnerie. Fighters attack E-boats off
Pont-du-Fahs and vehicles S of Bou Hamran, and fly sweeps, reconnaissance, and
patrol over the battle area in Tunisia. Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) and
Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) aircraft hit motor transport W of
Cekhira, bomb Djebel Zitouna Airfield, and strike shipping in the Straits of
Sicily. During the day Northwest African Air Force (NAAF) aircraft claim
destruction of nearly 50 aircraft in aerial combat. Today starts Operations
FLAX (5-22 Apr) which is designed to destroy, in the air and on the ground,
enemy air transports and escorts employed in ferrying personnel and supplies to
Tunisia.
HQ 325th Fighter Group transfers from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu,
Algeria.
The 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20's transfers from Canrobert, Algeria to Thelepte, Tunisia.
The 91st and 93d Fighter Squadrons, 81st Fighter Group with P-39's transfer
from Thelepte, Tunisia to Bone, Algeria.
TUESDAY, 6 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Sicily, B-24's hit the ferry and slips at Messina harbor.
In Italy, RAF Liberators, under IX Bomber Command control, bomb the Naples
area and rail facilities in Messina, Sicily.
In Tunisia, B-25's fly 2 missions against concentrations in the Oued el
Akarit region, scoring hits on buildings, tanks, and numerous vehicles. P-40's
fly escort, fighter sweep, and strafing operations, attacking guns, vehicles
and personnel as the British Eighth Army begin their assault on Oued el Akarit
from which the enemy begins withdrawing during the night.
HQ 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it"s 514th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy) with B-24's transfer from Soluch, Libya to Bengasi, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sicily, B-17's bomb the docks and ships at Trapani.
In Tunisia during the night of 5/6 April, Wellingtons bomb the dock and
shipping at Tunis. During the day, B-25's and P-38's attack shipping in the
Straits of Sicily. Two forces of B-17's bomb a convoy further W, near Zembra
Island and hit a convoy off Bizerte. B-25's and A-20's attack landing grounds
and airfields at Enfidaville, La Fauconnerie, and El Djem. La Fauconnerie bears
the brunt of the attacks and is well covered. Fighters escort the bombing
raids, fly reconnaissance missions, and attack scattered enemy movement.
HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 91st Bombardment Squadron (Light)
with A-20's transfer from Nouvion, Algeria to Ras el Ma, French Morocco.
The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group with P-39's transfers from
Youks-les-Bains, Algeria to Maison Blanche, Algeria.
The 154th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group with P-39's and
P-51's transfers from Thelepte, Tunisia to Sbeitla, Tunisia.
WEDNESDAY, 7 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Sicily, B-24's attack Palermo harbor.
In Tunisia, B-25's bomb retreating columns which are being pursued N of Oued
el Akarit by the the British Eighth Army's 30 and 10 Corps. Fighters carry out
bombing and strafing operations the battle area.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons attack
Tunis and the Jabal al Jallud Marshalling Yard. Weather cancels all other NASAF
missions except for 2 reconnaissance sorties. All available airplanes of the
XII Air Support Command and Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) hit ground forces
which are retreating in all sectors. Fighters fly sweeps over Medjez el Bab
(claiming 3 fighters downed), a scramble mission NW of Oued Zarga (5 fighters
are claimed destroyed), and over 100 other sorties (no encounters). Highway and
motor transport are bombed between Sfax and Sousse. Light and medium bombers,
and fighter-bombers attack concentrations N of the Oued el Akarit line. Units
of the US II Corps make contact with the British Eighth Army on the Gabes-Gafsa
road.
HQ 31st Fighter Group and it's 307th, 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons with
Spitfires transfer from Thelepte, Tunisia to Djilma, Tunisia.
The 318th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group with P-40F's transfers from
Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu, Algeria. The squadron will fly it's first
combat mission on 17 Apr 43.
THURSDAY, 8 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40's fly 29 bomber escort, armed reconnaissance, and
fighter-bomber missions against retreating column along coast N of Gabes.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
Weather prevents all Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF)
operations except minimum weather reconnaissance.
In Tunisia, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) P-40's and
Spitfires fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance over the Faid Pass-Fondouk el
Aouareb-Kairouan-Ousseltia area as the British X Corps attacks Fondouk. Other
fighters fly widespread reconnaissance and sweeps, attacking motor transport S
of Zaghouan. Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) fighters hit retreating columns in
the Cekhira-Sfax area.
FRIDAY, 9 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40's in a fighter-bomber role attack Sfax, as the British
Eighth Army, in pursuit of the retreating enemy, reaches a position a few miles
to the SW of the coast.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, fighters continue reconnaissance of the N half of Tunisia and
the Straits of Sicily and hit enemy movement and defenses over wide areas
between Sfax and Enfidaville.
HQ 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 443d Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) with B-26B's transfer from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu, Algeria.
The 319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group with P-40F's transfers from
Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu, Algeria. The squadron will fly it's first
mission on 17 Apr 43.
SATURDAY, 10 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's bomb the harbor at Naples.
In Sicily, RAF Liberators, under operation control of the IX Bomber Command,
hit Palermo.
In Tunisia, Allied ground forces take Sfax and continue N to La Hencha.
HQ IX Fighter Command is transferred from Egypt to Tripoli, Libya. Personnel
are to be moved from Egypt over a period of several weeks.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sardinia, B-17's hit ships at La Madallena.
In Tunisia during the night of 9/10 Apr, Wellingtons bomb troops and
transport on roads in the area surrounding Enfidaville. The following day,
B-26's follow up the Wellingtons with raids on roads and military
concentrations near Enfidaville. Fighter-bombers also hit ground targets in the
Enfidaville areas. Fighters escort bombers, carry out reconnaissance, and fly
sweeps over the battle area from Medjez el Rah to Sousse.
SUNDAY, 11 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's attack Naples harbor. AA is intense and fighters attack
B-24's from all sides, knocking 1 down. The B-24's claim destruction of 3
fighters.
In Tunisia, B-25's attack motor transport and concentrations N of Sfax as
Allied ground troops push toward Sousse.
HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 486th and 487th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) with B-25C's transfer from El Kabrit, Egypt to Medenine,
Tunisia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sardinia during the night of 10/11 Apr, Wellingtons bomb airfields at
Decimomannu and Monserrato.
In Sicily, B-17's strike the harbors of Marsala and Trapani.
In Tunisia, P-38's carry out fighter sweeps and reconnaissance flights,
claiming numerous aircraft shot down, including 21 transports destroyed between
Cap Bon and Marsala. B-26's bomb Oudna Airfield, B-25's hit Sainte-Marie du Zit
Airfield, and B-17's strike the harbor of Tunis. Fighter-bombers and light
bombers blast trucks S of the Enfidaville road, trucks E of Kairouan, the
Sousse docks, and numerous other targets in the NE quarter of Tunisia.
MONDAY, 12 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's of the 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) sent to attack
Naples harbor, are prevented by bad weather from bombing the primary target.
About half return without bombing while the others hit Cosenza and Crotone.
Other heavy bombers of the same group, in a subsequent mission, bomb Naples and
the secondary target of Pizzo.
In Sicily, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, are dispatched against Palermo. The primary target is attacked, in
spite of total cloud cover, but most of bomb tonnage is dropped in Messina,
Italy harbor.
In ground action in Tunisia, the British 10 Corps captures Sousse and heads
north.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sicily, B-17's bomb the harbor at Trapani and hit shipping in the Straits
of Sicily.
In Tunisia, B-17's bomb the harbor at Bizerte. B-25's and A-20's bomb
airfields at Oudna and Sainte-Made du Zit. Aircraft of tactical units hit enemy
movements and fly sweep and reconnaissance throughout NE Tunisia following the
attack during the night of 11/12 Apr by British aircraft, mainly in the
Enfidaville, Zaghouan, and Bou Ficha areas.
HQ 31st Fighter Group and it's 307th, 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons with
Spitfires transfer from Djilma, Tunisia to Le Sers, Tunisia.
HQ 33d Fighter Group and it's 59th and 60th Fighter Squadrons with P- 40's
transfer from Berteaux, Algeria to Ebba Ksour, Tunisia. The 59th has been
operating from Thelepte, Tunisia since 20 Mar.
The 2d, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons, 52d Fighter Group with Spitfires
transfer from Youks-les-Bains, Algeria to Le Sers, Tunisia.
The 154th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group with P-39's and
P-51's transfers from Sbeitla, Tunisia to Le Sers, Tunisia.
TUESDAY, 13 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Sicily, B-24's are dispatched against the harbor at Catania. Total cloud
cover prevents visual contact with the target. One drops bombs in the target
area, but others jettison their load or return to base without bombing.
In the Mediterranean, P-40's fly convoy escort.
In Tunisia, the British Eight Army's 10 Corps, continuing N reaches an
anti-tank ditch guarding new enemy positions at Enfidaville and unsuccessfully
attempts, on a limited scale, to force a retreat before the line can be
strengthened.
The 488th and 489th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group
(Medium) with B-25's transfer from El Kabrit, Egypt to Medenine, Tunisia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sicily, B-17's pound the airfields at Castelvetrano and Milo.
In Sardinia, P-38's bomb a cruiser at La Maddalena and other shipping at
Porto Torres.
In Tunisia, B-25's hit Oudna Airfield. Fighters maintain sweeps and armored
reconnaissance over NE Tunisia and the Straits of Sicily. During the night of
12/13 Mar, British airplanes bomb Megrine landing ground.
HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light)
with A-20's transfer from Thelepte, Tunisia to Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia.
The 58th Fighter Squadron, 33d Fighter Group with P-40's transfers from
Berteaux, Algeria to Ebba Ksour, Tunisia.
WEDNESDAY, 14 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40's fly convoy escort, and carry out fighter sweeps over the
battle area as the British Eighth Army's 10 Corps continues to make quick jabs
at positions at Enfidaville. These attempts to force an enemy retreat are
unsuccessful.
The 314th, 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group with
P-40's transfer from Libya to Tunisia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sardinia, B-17's bomb the Elmas and Monserrato Airfields.
In Tunisia during the night of 13/14 Apr, Northwest African Tactical Air
Force (NATAF) Hurricanes and Blenheims bomb La Sebala Airfield and attack
transport on the Tunis-Pont-du-Fahs road, and Western Desert Air Force (WDAF)
light and medium bombers hit the Airfields at Sainte-Marie du Zit and Korba.
During the day, B-17's bomb El Aouina Airfield. P-38's escort the heavy bombers
and fly a bombing and strafing mission against a beached vessel SE of Cape
Zebib. A-20's bomb Bordj Toum. Fighter-bombers hit a motor convoy near Grich el
Oued and trucks NE of Dechret Ben Saidane and a battery E of Djedeida. Fighters
fly reconnaissance and sweeps throughout the Tunisian battle area. Northwest
African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) planes maintain sea reconnaissance and
patrols.
HQ 52d Fighter Group transfers from Youks-les-Bains, Algeria to Le Sers,
Tunisia.
The 441st, 442d and 444th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th Bombardment
Group (Medium) with B-26B's transfer from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu,
Algeria.
THURSDAY, 15 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, hit Naples and Messina.
In Sicily, B-24's attack Catania and Palermo.
In Tunisia, B-25's hit the airfield and area near a fuel dump at
Sainte-Marie du Zit. P-40's fly reconnaissance and sea patrol.
HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Medenine, Tunisia to Sfax,
Tunisia.
The 515th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with
B-24D's transfers from Soluch, Libya to Bengasi, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Italy, Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) B-26's on armed
reconnaissance of the Naples area attack a vessel S of Ustica Island.
In Sardinia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb
Decimomannu, Villacidro, and Elmas Airfields during the night of 14/15 Apr.
In Tunisia, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters attack
tanks and trucks at Oum EL Djema and a concentration near Sidi Ahmed, while
others fly reconnaissance and patrols during the day.
FRIDAY, 16 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Sicily, B-24's attack a tanker in Catania harbor, scoring several hits on
the target and in surrounding areas.
In Tunisia, fighters fly sea patrol. The British Eighth Army abandons their
attempts to force a German retreat from Enfidaville by quick jabs and prepares
to launch a full-scale assault during the night of 19/20 Apr.
The 83d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and
488th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium), both
with B-25's, transfer from Medenine, Tunisia to Sfax, Tunisia.
The 512th and 513th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) with B-24's transfer from Soluch, Libya to Bengasi, Libya;.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sicily, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's bomb the
dock area at Palermo.
In Tunisia, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters strafe
trucks during the night of 15/16 Apr and during the following day. A-20's and
fighter-bombers bomb Djqobel el Raar and concentrations located in various
wadis in the battle area. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) aircraft
maintain sea reconnaissance and patrols. NASAF B-25's and B-26's hit the Oudns
landing ground while P-38's bomb vessels near Cape Zebib and at Cape el Ahmar.
The 85th and 86th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group
(Light) with A-20's transfer from Thelepte, Tunisia to Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia.
SATURDAY, 17 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Sicily, B-24's (including Liberator Mk II's of the RAF 178 Squadron,
under operational control of the IX Bomber Command) bomb Catania.
In Tunisia, P-40's fly sweeps, sea patrol, and fighter-bomber missions.
HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 486th and 487th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) with B-25's and the 434th Bombardment Squadron (Medium),
12th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-25's transfer from Medenine, Tunisia to
Sfax, Tunisia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sicily, B-17's bomb shipping and docks at Palermo.
In Tunisia during the night of 16/17 April, Northwest African Strategic Air
Force (NASAF) Wellington's bomb the N quay in Bizerte harbor. Shortly after
noon, B-17's bomb shipping and docks at Ferryville. B-25's hit the town area
and marshaling yard at Mateur. Fighters provide escort. Northwest African
Tactical Air Force (NATAF) Blenheims bomb La Sebala Airfield and A-20's hit
Ksar Tyr and concentrations NE of Grich el Oued. Fighters fly escort and
reconnaissance missions. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) airplanes
fly sea patrol and reconnaissance and attack shipping in the Strait of Sicily.
SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
Off Cap Bon, 46 P-40F's of the 57th Fighter Group's three squadrons (64th,
65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons) and the attached 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th
Fighter Group, plus 11 Spitfires of the RAF 92 Squadron flying top cover, take
off to patrol. At approximately 1800 hours, they spot 2 Bf 109's and an armada
of 65 Ju 52/3m transports heading back to Sicily for more supplies. The
transports are in three great vees, covered by 16 Bf 109's and Mc 202's and 5
Bf 110's. The 64th Fighter Squadron and the RAF Spitfires stay high; the
remaining 3 squadrons of P-40's attack the Luftwaffe formation and down 24 Ju
53/3m's and 16 fighters; another 35 Ju 52/3m's crash along the coast.
In Sicily, B-24's attack Catania.
In Tunisia, P-40's fly sweeps, armored reconnaissance, escort, and
fighter-bomber missions. B-25's hit landing grounds.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia during the night of 17/18 Ap, RAF Wellingtons bomb the Tunis
docks and marshaling yard. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
Blenheims hit the La Marsa landing ground while fighter fly reconnaissance and
scramble missions. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) fighters fly
reconnaissance and patrols, attacking vessels, troop columns, and truck in the
Tunisian coastal area,
In Sicily, over 75 B-17's, escorted by P-38's, attack Boccadifalco Airfield
and the Palermo Marshaling Yard.
In Sardinia, B-25's, escorted by P-38's, hit the Alghero-Fertilia Airfield
and shipping at Porto Torres while Beaufighters attack the Decimomannu
Airfield.
MONDAY, 19 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25's hit landing grounds and defensive positions, and P-40's
escort bombers and fly fighter sweeps as the British Eighth Army opens an
assault on Enfidaville positions.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia during the night of 18/19 Apr, Northwest African Tactical Air
Force (NATAF) Blenheims bomb La Marsa landing ground and roads nearby, and
attack activity on beach at Reyville. During the day, Northwest African
Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's bomb shipping at Tunis. B-25's and A -20's
raid the La Sebala Airfield. Fighter-bombers attack tanks in the battle area.
Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) maintains sea reconnaissance and
patrols as far as Sardinia and sea approaches to Naples. NAAF aircraft claim
over 100 aircraft destroyed during the day.
TUESDAY, 20 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40's fly sweeps, reconnaissance, and fighter-bomber missions
as British ground forces take Enfidaville E and push N. Forces on the left are
checked by stubborn enemy resistance at Djebel Garci.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's and B-25's
bomb the landing grounds of Mabtouha, La Marsa, La Sebala, Sidi Ahmed,
Creteville, and near Protville. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
fighters fly escort, carry out reconnaissance, and attack various Tunisian
airfields. The Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) continues sea
patrols and reconnaissance as far-reaching as the approaches to Naples, Italy.
WEDNESDAY, 21 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, bomb Naples.
In Tunisia, P-40's bomb and strafe barges along the coast. The British
Eighth Army meets such fierce opposition at Takrouna that General Montgomery
decides to confine the offensive to the coastal region.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, weather prevents completion of any missions by the Northwest
African Strategic Air Force (NASAF). Northwest African Tactical Air Force
(NATAF) fighters and A-20's hit landing grounds and military traffic on roads,
fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance, and attack ground forces and aircraft in
the Medjez el Bab-Goubellat area where an enemy counterattack by armored and
infantry columns during the night of 20/21 Apr ends in costly failure.
The 346th and 347th Fighter Squadrons, 350th Fighter Group with P-39's swap
bases; the 346th moves from La Senia, Algeria to Orleansville, Algeria; the
347th moves from Orleansville to Le Sers, Tunisia.
THURSDAY, 22 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40's fly fighter sweeps over the battle area along the Gulf of
Hammamet.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-26's bomb 2
landing grounds near Protville. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
fighters and A-20's fly sweeps, reconnaissance, and patrols and attack
positions at Djebel el Ahmera (Longstop Ridge), Sidi Nsir, Djebel el Ajred
(Bald Hill), and other points as the British First Army's 5 Corps launches the
start of the final phase of the assault on Tunis and Bizerte, attacking on a
front N and S of Medjez el Bab.
In Italy, B-26's hit the harbor at Carloforte on San Pietro Island.
FRIDAY, 23 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25's attack a landing ground, troops, and artillery N of
Enfidaville. P-40's fly escort, sweeps, and fighter-bomber missions in the
battle area.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-25's and B-26's
bomb vehicles and the railroad at Mateur, the Mateur-Bedja road and Arbatax
harbor in Italy. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters, A-20's,
and medium bombers carry out a large number of missions against positions in NE
Tunisia and particularly along the battleline area from near Pont-du-Fahs N to
the Mediterranean as the US II Corps begins a drive on Bizerte in the
Jefna-Sidi Meftah area.
In the Mediterranean, B-17's attack vessels N of Sicily.
SATURDAY, 24 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, bomb Naples.
In Tunisia, P-40's escort bombers, fly sweeps, and carry out fighter-bomber
operations against troops in the battle area N of Enfidaville.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb
the N quay at Bizerte harbor during the night of 23/24 Apr. Bad weather the
following morning cancels NASAF operations. Northwest African Tactical Air
Force (NATAF) fighters, although hampered by bad weather, attack guns, troops,
and trucks in the battle area from Pont-du-Fahs N to the sea. Fierce ground
fighting continues in the Jefna area.
The 99th Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force with P-40's arrives at
Casablanca, French Morocco from the U.S. The 99th is the first black USAAF unit
to serve overseas.
SUNDAY, 25 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25's attack landings grounds, concentrations, and vehicles N
and NW of Enfidaville. P-40's escort bombers and fly fighter sweeps over the
battle area.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, weather prevents Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF)
bombing missions. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters attack
positions and vehicles in the battle area. A-20's and medium bombers bomb the S
landing ground at Soliman, positions NW of Enfidaville, and several other
points in the battle area as Allied ground forces continue their advance on
Bizerte and Tunis.
HQ 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 20th, 49th, and 96th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17's arrive at Navarin, Algeria from the US.
HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 437, and 438th, 439th and 440th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) with B-26B's transfer from Oujda, French Morocco
to Rabat Sale, French Morocco. The group has been undergoing reorganization and
training since Feb 43.
TUESDAY, 27 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40's bomb and strafe concentrations N and NW of Enfidaville.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Sardinia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's, with P-38
escort, bomb Villacidro Airfield.
In Tunisia, NASAF B-25's hit shipping W of Zembra Island off Cap Bon.
Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) planes (fighters, A-20's, and
medium bombers) hit numerous tactical targets in NE Tunisia, including Sidi
Ahmed Airfield and troops, tank, trucks, and gun positions at Massicault, on
the Pont-du-Fahs road, Ksar Tyr, Bir Meherga, and other points along the
battleline.
HQ 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 20th, 49th and 96th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17's transfer from Navarin, Algeria to
Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria. The Group's fourth squadron, the 429th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), arrives at Chateaudun-du-Rhumel from the US
today. The group will fly it's first combat mission tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's attack the harbor at Naples and the ferry slip at Messina.
Gunners claim 5 fighters destroyed.
In Tunisia, P-40's escort bombers and attack troops in the battle area N of
Enfidaville.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-25's and P-38's
attack 2 vessels off NE Tunisia in the Straits of Sicily. Other B-25's hit
Tunis shipping while B-26's bomb the landing grounds at Mabouban and Mabtouha.
Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) aircraft bomb concentrations near
Saint-Cyprien and Ksar Tyr, shipping off Tunis, and numerous positions and
vehicles along the Tunisian battleline and surrounding areas as the US 9th
Infantry Division continues W astride the Sedjenane River and the 1st and 34th
Infantry Divisions continue to face fierce opposition S of Jefna in Sidi Meftah
area.
FRIDAY, 30 APRIL 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's attack the Messina ferry; bombs hit the target area and
nearby marshalling yard and the city area.
In the Mediterranean, P-4O's fly fighter-bomber missions against shipping
with excellent results, claiming 1 destroyer and 3 other vessels sunk, and 2
destroyers and 2 boats damaged. Fighters claim 5 Bf 109's shotdown; 3 P-40's
are lost.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
In Tunisia, Northwest Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-26's and P-38's hit
shipping off Tunisia while B-26's strike shipping near Cap Bon and the
Tunis-Medjez el Bab highway. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
fighters, A-20's, and medium bombers, hit positions near Mateur, Bir Meherga,
and Ksar Tyr, concentrations near Furna, shipping in the Gulf of Tunis and near
Cap Bon, and attack isolated vehicles and troops along the battleline as the US
II Corps makes substantial gains in the Jefna area.
The 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20's transfers from Thelepte, Tunisia to Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia.
APRIL 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
SATURDAY, 1 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Moves in Italy during Apr: HQ 49th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) arrives from the
US; HQ 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group from Manduria to Blida, Algeria.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s attack Leghorn harbor, bridges at Orvieto, and railway track
S of Poggibonsi; B-26s hit Arno River railroad bridges at Signa, Riva-Trigoso,
and Valdarno, while A-20s hit ammunition dumps; P-40s hit targets in the
vicinity of Gaeta, Formia tunnel, several fuel dumps, bridges, and guns in the
battle areas; P-47s bomb Poggibonsi bridge and strafe a train; and fighters
patrol the Anzio battle area without incident.
During Apr, XII Bomber Command moves from Trocchia, Italy to Corsica; 4th
Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, and 16th, 17th, 18th and 35th
Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group begin operating from bases in
India until Jun 44 with C-47s.
SUNDAY, 2 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
461st Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24s becomes operational, making 16
heavy bomber groups now operational.
530+ B-24s and B-17s (largest mission to date) attack targets in Austria and
Yugoslavia; the B-17s hit the ball bearing plant at Steyr, Austria and
marshalling yard at Brod, Yugoslavia; the B-24s hit an aircraft factory and
depot and ball bearing factory at Steyr, and in Yugoslavia, an air depot at
Mostar and marshalling yard at Bihac; fighters fly 150+ sorties in support of
the bombers; hundreds of enemy fighters oppose the missions and fierce air
battles result in 19 bombers shot down and several missing; the AAF claims 150+
enemy fighters.
HQ 31st Fighter Group and 307th and 308th Fighter Squadrons move from Castel
Volturno to San Severo, Italy with P-51s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack railroad bridges at Arezzo, Fano, Ficulle,
Magra, N of Orvieto, and S of Poggibonsi, scoring some direct hits, hits on
approaches, and several near misses; fighter-bombers hit trucks and the
railroad station at Fara in Sabina and E and N of Anzio, attack the Formia
tunnel, fly armed reconnaissance over the Atina and Arce areas, bomb a factory
and buildings N of Cassino, the town of Pignataro Interamna and numerous
bridges, dumps, gun positions and targets of opportunity in or around the
battle areas.
99th Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, attached to 324th Fighter
Group, moves from Capodichino to Cercola, Italy with P-40s.
MONDAY, 3 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
450+ B-17s and B-24s bomb targets in Hungary and Yugoslavia; the B-17s hit
an aircraft factory in Budapest, Hungary and a marshalling yard at Brod,
Yugoslavia; the B-24s hit a marshalling yard at Budapest; 137 fighters escort
the B-17s (B-24s miss the rendezvous) to Budapest; the bombers and escorting
fighters claim 24 enemy aircraft shot down.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack railway bridges at Orvieto, cutting
approaches to a bridge to the N of town; other medium bomber attacks on bridges
abort because of weather but light bombers successfully bomb an ammunition
dump; A-36s attack the railway at Attigliano and bomb an underpass in the area,
while P-40s hit Sesti Bagni railroad station, a supply dump SE of Frosinone,
the town of Itri, a bivouac area NW of Velletri and several trucks; and P-47s
successfully bomb Pignataro Interamna and nearby road junction.
TUESDAY, 4 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
300+ B-17s and B-24s attack Bucharest, Rumania; both hit marshalling yards
and the B-24s also hit an air depot; fighters fly nearly 120 sorties in support
of the mission; between 150 and 200 enemy fighters attack the bombers, shooting
down 10; the bombers and escorts claim 50+ aircraft destroyed in combat.
309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, moves from Castel Volturno to
San Severo, Italy with P-51s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bomber missions are aborted due to weather but light
bombers manage to bomb an ammunition dump and fighter-bombers bomb Terracina
and Formia, attack a bridge and several vehicles during armed reconnaissance of
the Rome-Orte area, bomb Itri and Fondi, hit numerous gun positions, a railway
station, a bivouac area, and a vehicle concentration, and attack targets of
opportunity between Atina and Cassino.
WEDNESDAY, 5 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
334 B-17s and B-24s hit targets in Rumania and Yugoslavia; the B-17s bomb a
marshalling yard at Ploesti, Rumania and Nis, Yugoslavia; the B-24s hit a
marshalling yard at Ploesti and Leskovac, Yugoslavia; fighters and AA shoot
down 13 bombers.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather precludes all light and medium bomber action; P-40s hit
the Colleferro railway station, several fuel dumps, and gun positions in the US
Fifth Army battle areas; A-36s bomb Formia, and railway stations NW of Rome and
in the Frosinone area.
THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-24s bomb the airfield at Zagreb, Yugoslavia; numerous other B-24s and
B-17s abort because of weather; escorting fighters and the bombers claim 17
enemy fighters destroyed in combat; 6 US aircraft are shot down.
HQ 451st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 724th, 725th, 726th and 727th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from San Pancrazio and Manduria to
Castelluccio Airfield, Italy with B-24s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s hit Perugia Airfield while B-26s bomb a bridge and its
approaches NW of Orvieto; weather prevents other medium bomber operations;
fighter-bombers attack the railroad stations at Capronica and Maccarese, guns
SE of Littoria, a road bridge E of Pescasseroli, railroad bridges in the Arezzo
area, other rail facilities in C Italy, and small transport vessels in the
Aegean Sea.
10th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Pomigliano
to Brindisi, Italy with C-47s.
FRIDAY, 7 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 400+ B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards; the B-17s bomb
Treviso; the B-24s hit Mestre and Bologna; almost 100 P-38s provide escort;
P-47s fly a sweep over the Gorizia- Udine area; the bombers and fighters claim
almost 20 aircraft shot down.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges, tracks and a viaduct at Attigliano,
Ficulle, Certaldo, Pontassieve and Incisa in Valdarno, and hit Prato
marshalling yard; light bombers hit an ammunition dump; Ausonia, Pignataro
Interamna, San Apollinare and Terracina are bombed by P-40s along with a dump
and several gun positions SE of Rome; P-47s also hit bridges and trucks in this
same area and attack the Empoli marshalling yard while A-36s hit gun
emplacements, train and tracks in the Orvieto area and vicinity and approaches
to the Montalto di Castro bridge.
SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
HQ 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 824th and 827th Bombardment Squadrons
(Heavy) arrive at Torretto Airfield, Italy from the US with B-24s; first
mission is 29 Apr.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack a bridge NW of Orte while A-20s successfully
attack supply stores; fighter- bombers hit several bridges, motor transport,
and supply dumps in C Italy, and bomb railroad tracks at Sesti Bagni and
Maccarese.
SUNDAY, 9 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
815th, 816th, 817th and 840th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 483d
Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Sterparone Airfield, Italy from the US
with B-17s; first mission is 12 Apr.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, P-40 and A-36 fighter- bombers bomb the railroad line between Rome
and Bracciano, hitting tracks, a station, and a warehouse; attack Littoria and
Terracina, repair shops NW of Valmontone and several gun positions; and bomb
scattered motor transport during armed reconnaissance of the
Avezzano-Sora-Pontecorvo-Ceprano areas.
379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves
from Ghisonaccia, Corsica to Fano, Italy with B-25s.
MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
776th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives
at Pantanella Airfield, Italy from the US with B-24s; first mission is 30 Apr.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-20s hit an ammunition dump at Gallicano nel Lazio; B-25s bomb
the Orvieto marshalling yard and 2 bridges; B-26s hit Poggibonsi and Cecina
railroad bridges and tracks, and viaducts at Bucine and W of Arezzo;
fighter-bombers operating over wide areas of C Italy and in the battle zones
hit railroad bridges, railroad cars, motor transport, barracks, and troop
concentrations with good effect.
522d, 523d and 524th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, 27th Fighter-Bomber Group,
move from Pomigliano to Castel Volturno, Italy with A-36s and P-40s.
TUESDAY, 11 APRIL 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s hit the Montalto di Castro railroad bridge, while B-26s hit
marshalling yards at Ancona and Siena; fighter-bombers concentrate on attacks
against railroad targets NE of Rome and buildings inland from the E coast;
tracks are hit hard in the Arezzo-Pontassieve area as are stations at Maccarese
and Cesano; an overpass, bridges, railroad cars and dumps throughout C Italy
are attacked, as is the town of Gaeta.
488th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves
from Gaudo Airfield, Italy to Alesan, Corsica with B-25s.
WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
483d Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17s becomes operational, increasing
the number of combat status bomber groups to 17.
Bad weather lifts, permitting bomber operations; almost 450 B-17s and B-24s
attack targets in Austria and Yugoslavia; the B-17s hit aircraft factories at
Fischamend Markt, Austria and Split, Yugoslavia; the B-24s hit the industrial
area at Wiener Neustadt and Bad Voslau, Austria and the marshalling yard and
air depot at Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 200+ P-38s and P-47s provide escort; the
bombers and fighters claim 30+ enemy aircraft shot down; 8 US airplanes are
known lost and several more fail to return.
HQ 465th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 783d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
arrive at Pantanell Airfield, Italy from the US with B-24s; first mission is 5
May.
122d Liaison Squadron, 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from
Manduria, Italy to Blida, Algeria with B-17s; the squadron, which has been
transporting supplies to partisans and dropping leaflets in the MTO, will be
redesignated 885th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 12 May and was re-equipped
with B-24s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers bomb rail lines approaching the Monte Molino bridge
and at a nearby junction to the Viterbo line, railroad and road bridges S of
Orvieto and at Certaldo, tracks approaching a bridge at Impeda, and railroad
bridges over the Var River and at Albenga; light bombers pound the Zagarolo
supply dump; fighter-bombers and fighters (some operating with British
aircraft) hit communications (mainly railroad bridges), vehicles, supply dumps
at various places, including Arezzo, the island of Elba, Orvieto, NE of
Grosseto, NW of Bracciano, Civita Castellana, Montalto di Castro, between
Piombino and Viterbo, in the Castiglioncello area, NW of Montepescali and S of
Cecina.
THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
535 heavy bombers (largest bomber mission to date) bomb targets in Hungary;
the B-17s bomb an aircraft plant and depot at Gyor; the B-24s bomb an aircraft
factory at Budapest and air depots at Budapest, Tokol and Vecses; fighter
opposition and AA account for 14 US bombers and 1 fighter shot down; 40 enemy
fighters are claimed shot down and 120+ aircraft destroyed on the ground.
779th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives
at Pantanella Airfield, Italy from the US with B-24s; first mission is 30 Apr.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s attack Terni and a bridge at Marsciano while B-26s bomb
Ancona marshalling yard and a nearby railroad bridge; fighter-bombers again
strike mainly at communications, the town of Itri, Cesano station, a factory at
Fontana Liri, a railroad overpass at Fara in Sabina, Anguillara, and bridges,
trucks and other targets at points throughout C Italy.
FRIDAY, 14 APRIL 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s attack Viterbo Airfield and Leghorn marshalling yard, B-26s
strike at Poggibonsi, Certaldo, Cecina and Magra, attacking mostly rail
facilities and hit Arezzo bridge and viaduct and Bucine viaducts;
fighter-bombers also concentrate on rail lines and bridges and hit many supply
dumps, gun positions and factories, generally located NE of Rome.
HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Paestum, Italy to Corsica.
SATURDAY, 15 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Clearing weather again permits bomber operations. 448 B-17s and B-24s attack
marshalling yards; B-17s hit Ploesti, Rumania and Nis, Yugoslavia; B-24s hit
Bucharest, Rumania; 150+ fighters provide escort.
A special group, led by Lieutenant Colonel Louis A Neveleff, flies from HQ
at Bari, Italy to Medeno Polji, Yugoslavia and from there the group proceeds to
Marshall Tito's HQ at Drvar, where Colonel Neveleff confers with Tito and
spends several days laying the groundwork for the evacuation of downed US
airmen in Yugoslav hands. Also, much information is gathered regarding the
military organization and political trend of the partisan movement. The mission
returns to Italy on 2 May and 122 men, mostly Fifteenth Air Force airmen, are
also evacuated.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers strike a marshalling yard at Leghorn and a tunnel
and railroad bridges in C Italy; P-47s attack rail lines, bridges and
ammunition dumps NE of Rome with good results; other P-47s, P-40s and A-36s hit
numerous targets, including rail lines, motor transport shop, vehicles, tanks
and gun positions, in C Italy and in the US Fifth Army battle areas.
XII Air Support Command is redesignated XII Tactical Air Command.
Moves in Italy: HQ 332d Fighter Group and 301st Fighter Squadron from
Montecorvino to Capodichino with P-39s; 486th Bombardment Squadron (Medium),
340th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Gaudo Airfield to Alesan, Corsica with
B-25s.
SUNDAY, 16 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
31st Fighter Group with P-51s (transferred from Twelfth Air Force on 1 Apr)
begins operations. It becomes the fifth operational fighter group of the
Fifteenth Air Force.
432 B-17s and B-24s hit targets in Rumania and Yugoslavia; B-17s bomb the
industrial area at Belgrade, Yugoslavia and an aircraft plant at Brasov,
Rumania; B-24s hit marshalling yards at Brasov and Turnu Severin, Rumania; 90+
fighters fly escort while 50+ others, failing to rendezvous with the bombers,
strafe trains on the Craiova line E of Turnu Severin.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s bomb approaches to Ficulle and Todi railway bridges; A-20s
blast fuel supplies; P-40s, P-47s and A-36s hit the Capranica viaduct, town of
Zagarolo, railway at Spigno Monferrato, marshalling yard at Orte-Terni, tunnel
at Capranica and tracks, vehicles, railway cars, ammunition dump, bridge, and
targets of opportunity at various points in C Italy.
MONDAY, 17 APRIL 1944
ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
121st Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO moves from Oran to Telergma, Algeria with
L-4s and L-5s; first mission is in Sep 44.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
470 B-17s and B-24s hit targets in Bulgaria and Yugoslavia; B-17s bomb the
industrial area, air depot and marshalling yard at Belgrade, Yugoslavia; B-24s
bomb the marshalling yard at Sofia, Bulgaria; 200+ fighters escort the
missions; US aircraft claim 25 enemy aircraft downed in combat.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s attack bridges N of Orte and at Monte Molino, while A-20s
pound a fuel dump NE of Rome; P-40, P-47 and A-36 fighter-bombers hit motor
transport stores and gun positions N of Anzio, bomb Fara in Sabina station, hit
tracks, trains and guns in the Orte and Narni area and at other points N of
Rome.
TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, P-38s and P-47s strafe Udine and Aiello Airfields and targets of
opportunity in the Basiliano, Sant' Andrea Island, and Cervignano del Friuli
areas and in Golfo di Panzano; other fighters fly cover for the strafing
missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, P-47 fighter-bombers cut several rail lines in the Florence and
Arezzo areas and strafe trains and motor transport; P-40s and P-47s hit Itri
and a rail bridge and fuel dumps as the campaign against communications
continues.
WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Bad weather severely restricts operations. In Italy, B-26s hit Cecina
railroad bridge and Ancona marshalling yard while B-25s hit a marshalling yard
at Piombino; P-47s hit railroad tracks, a marshalling yard, junction, and
railway cars between Pontedera and Empoli and between Figline Valdarno and San
Giovanni Valdarno.
487th and 498th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group
(Medium), move from Gaudo Airfield, Italy to Alesan, Corsica with B-25s.
THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
300+ B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Italy; the B-17s bomb marshalling
yards at Ancona, Castelfranco, Padua and Vicenza and Venice harbor
installations; the B-24s hit marshalling yards at Mestre, Reviso and Fano,
Venice harbor, Monfalcone dockyards and Trieste; 180+ other heavy bombers
dispatched against communications targets in N Italy are forced to abort due to
bad weather; about 250 fighters provide cover for the bombing raids.
776th, 777th, 778th and 779th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 464th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Pantanella Airfield to Gioia, Italy with
B-24s; first mission is 30 Apr.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium and light bombers score hits on a marshalling yard and 3
fuel dumps at Leghorn and near misses on Cecina and Certaldo bridges and Arezzo
viaduct; fighter-bombers hit railroad lines and fuel dump in the Florence area;
bridges, dump, rail lines and train cars near Civitavecchia and Zagarolo, at
Sezze, near Ladispoli, SW of Stimipliano and N of Monterotondo; and guns S of
Albano Laziale; in the battle area around Cassino fighter-bombers blast several
gun positions and hit bridges, trucks, troops and other targets, at several
points, including Falconara, Recanati, San Benedetto de Marsi, and the
Fondi-Itri and Orte- Orvieto areas.
HQ 57th Bombardment Wing moves from Trocchia, Italy to Ghisonaccia, Corsica.
FRIDAY, 21 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
100+ B-24s bomb marshalling yards at Bucharest, Rumania; all 17 bomb groups
dispatched are recalled due to bad weather but 7 groups fail to receive the
recall signal; 150+ P-38s and P-51s are dispatched as escort; 40+ rendezvous
with the B-24s and battle some 30 fighters that attack the bomber force; the
other fighters, failing to meet the bombers, engage about 40 fighters; bombers
and fighters claim 35 aerial combat victories; 10 US aircraft are shot down.
HQ 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Pantanella Airfield to Gioia,
Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-20s blast an ammunition dump while P-47s attack train, rail
lines, and motor transport behind enemy lines; other P-47s, along with P-40s
and A-36s, attack railway lines and trains between Rome and Terni, between Rome
and Tivoli, and between Orte and Attigliano; hit a motor transport
concentration NE of Rome; and attack several bivouac areas and gun positions in
the battle areas. .
SATURDAY, 22 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
HQ 483d Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Tortorella to Sterparone
Airfield, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s bomb a bridge and tracks S of Ficulle and a bridge N of the
town; other B-25s and B-26s attack San Stefano al Mare harbor, the N section of
Orvieto, Chiusi railroad bridge, viaducts S and W of Arezzo and Bucine,
Certaldo railroad bridge, bridge approaches at Incisa in Valdarno, a bridge
near Siena and viaduct at Poggibonsi; A-20s hit Valmontone ammunition dump and
Sonnino; P-47s hit a railroad, trains, and tunnels in the Florence area and W
of Chiusi, marshalling yard at Siena, a vessel S of Savona, railroad lines S of
Orte and the town of Gaeta; and P-40s attack gun positions N of the Anzio
beachhead and bomb the Ferentino dump area and towns of Fondi, Terracina and
Formia.
SUNDAY, 23 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather clears and bombers can resume operations. 500+ B-17s and B-24s
attack aircraft factories and airfields in Austria; the B-17s hit the Wiener
Neustadt industrial area; the B-24s hit industrial areas at Schwechat and Bad
Voslau and an air depot at Wiener-Neustadt; close to 300 fighters provide
support; many enemy fighters attack fiercely, downing 12 bombers and 1 fighter;
the bombers and escorts claim 40+ air victories.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s hit bridges and approaches at Attigliano; B-26s attack
Incisa in Valdarno viaduct and bridge, Cecina marshalling yard and attack, but
fail to hit, Poggibonsi viaduct; P-47s, A-36s, and P-40s hit rail lines and
bridges NE of Rome and along the E coast in several areas including points
around Orvieto, Orte, Tivoli and Capronica.
HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) and 445th and 448th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) move from Gaudo Airfield, Italy to Solenzara, Corsica with
B-25s.
MONDAY, 24 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
520+ bombers attack targets in Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Italy; B-17s bomb a
marshalling yard at Ploesti, Rumania, an aircraft factory in Belgrade,
Yugoslavia and the Ancona-Rimini railroad line (this is the first Azon mission
by 5 B-17s); the B-24s bomb marshalling yards at Ploesti and Bucharest,
Rumania; 250+ fighters fly support for the bombers.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack railroad bridges N and S of Orvieto, at
Arezzo, at Grosseto and N and S of Incisa in Valdarno; A-20s hit a dump at
Valmontone; P-40s, P-47s and A-36s hit shipping off Leghorn, Avezzano station,
Orvieto and Terni marshalling yards, Canino landing ground, railroad tracks at
numerous points S of Orvieto and rail lines, truck parks and targets of
opportunity N of Rome.
TUESDAY, 25 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, around 150 B-24s bomb an aircraft factory at Turin, marshalling
yard and bridge at Parma, marshalling yard at Ferrara and several targets of
opportunity; 300+ B-24s and B-17s are forced to abort missions due to bad
weather; 100+ fighters escort the bomber missions into N Italy.
782d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 465th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives
at Pantanella Airfield, Italy from the US with B-24s; first mission is 5 May.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, attacks against lines of communications N of Rome continue; A-20s
hit storage areas while medium bombers attack Pesaro marshalling yard, dumps at
Manoppello and bridges and approaches at Incisa in Valdarno, Arezzo, Asciano,
Magra, Ficulle and Orvieto; viaducts at Incisa and Calafuria are attacked with
poor results; P-40s and P-47s hit roads, gun positions, railroads, ammunition
dump and trucks N of Rome, near Ficulle, Orte and Orvieto; and P-47s also
damage destroyers off Elba Island.
HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and 84th, 85th, 86th and 97th Bombardment
Squadrons (Light) move from Capodichino to Vesuvius Airfield, Italy with A-20s.
417th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force (attached to RAF No. 337
Wing), moves from La Senia, Algeria to Borgo, Corsica with Beaufighters; the
ground echelon has been at Borgo since Feb 44.
WEDNESDAY, 26 APRIL 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather greatly curtails activity; P-47s attack motor
transport and railroad tracks and hit a gas dump near Trasimeno Lake, a landing
ground at Canino and marshalling yards of Leghorn.
THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again severely restricts operations; P-40s attack a supply
dump N of Rome, scoring 7 hits in the target area.
12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), based at Pomigliano, Italy, sends a detachment to operate
from Nettuno, Italy with F-5s.
FRIDAY, 28 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Clearing weather again permits bomber operations; 450+ B-17s and B-24s
attack targets in Italy; 188 B-17s bomb Piombino Steel Works and port; 168
B-24s bomb the port area at San Stefano al Mare; and 108 B-24s bomb the port
area at Orbetello; P-38s, P-51s and P-47s provide escort.
32d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 90th Photographic Wing
(Reconnaissance), arrives at San Severo, Italy from the US with F-5s; first
mission is 18 May.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack Piombino, railway bridges N of Orvieto,
Ficulle, and W of Arezzo, and hit viaducts at Incisa in Valdarno and Piteccio;
A-20s score hits on a fuel dump; P-40s and P-47s hit a fuel dump NW of
Ferentino, warehouses S of Avezzano, several railway lines and targets of
opportunity N of Rome, the Orbetello railroad yards, San Stefano al Mare
harbor, rail lines at points between Rome and Avezzano, several gun
emplacements, Follonica and Chiusi marshalling yards, and cut railroad lines at
several points NW of Rome; fighter-bombers also hit Chiusi marshalling yard,
tracks around Castiglione della Valle, Cortona marshalling yard, Grosseto
railroad bridge, scattered motor transport and a barge near Follonica.
SATURDAY, 29 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24s is declared operational, the
18th operational group.
573 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, attack the Toulon, France naval
base and 5 B-17s attack the Rimini-Ancona railroad (second Azon mission).
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s attack the Terni viaduct and Attigliano railway bridge,
while B-26s bomb bridges and bridge approaches at Pontassieve and Incisa in
Valdarno; A-20s attack a dump NE of Rome; P-40s and P-47s cut rail lines in
many places NE of Rome, hit guns N of Anzio and a dump SE of Rome, attack the
town of Acquapendente, hit approaches and tunnel S of Arezzo and bridge and
trucks in the area, bomb Sinalunga marshalling yard and bridge and approaches
at Monte San Savino, and hit docks at San Vincenzo and boats at Follonica.
446th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group (Medium), moves
from Gaudo Airfield, Italy to Solenzara, Corsica with B-25s.
SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24s becomes the 19th operational bomb
group.
Around 500 bombers, with fighter escort, attack targets in Italy; B-17s hit
industrial areas at Milan and Varese and the Reggio Emilia air depot; the B-24s
bomb marshalling yards at Alessandria and Milan.
HQ 485th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 828th, 829th, 830th and 831st
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Venosa, Italy from the US with B-24s;
first mission is 10 May.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s attack railroad bridges at Ficulle, N Orvieto and Marsciano,
while B-26s hit bridges at Cortona and Incisa in Valdarno and in the nearby
areas; P-40s hit rail lines and storage in many locations N of Rome, hit rail
lines and a radar station in the Orvieto area, cut railroads from Rome to
Tivoli and to Civita Castellana and hit targets of opportunity in the area;
P-47s hit numerous railroad lines, rail cars, and other targets N of Rome.
Unit moves in Italy: HQ 86th Fighter-Bomber Group and 525th, 526th, and
527th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons from Pomigliano to Marcianise with P-40s; 85th
Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, from Capodichino to Pomigliano with
P-47s.
APRIL 1945 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
SUNDAY, 1 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Almost 400 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Maribor, Yugoslavia railroad bridge,
marshalling yards at Sankt Polten, Selzthal, Zeltweg, Graz, and Villach,
Austria, the railroad bridge at Krieglach, Austria, and gun positions on the
Adriatic coast near Venice, Italy; 82 P-38s bomb the Ybbs, Austria railroad
bridge while 52 P-51s strafe rail traffic in the Prague-Plzen, Czechoslovakia
area; other P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 31 Mar/1 Apr, A-20s and A-26s on intruder
missions over the Po Valley continue to attack road and railroad bridges, motor
transport, loading points, and other targets; principal strikes are made at Po
River bridges; fighters and fighter-bombers during the day strike rail bridges,
dumps, rail lines, marshalling yards, trains, vehicles, gun positions, several
buildings (including an ammunition plant and truck factory), and a variety of
targets of opportunity in the Po Valley and NE Italy; medium bombers hit
railroad bridges at Calcinato, Crema, Mantua, Monselice, Colle Isarco, San
Ambrogio di Valpolicella, and Perea; HQ 87th Fighter Wing is disbanded at
Florence; HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Solenzara, Corsica to
Falconara.
MONDAY, 2 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Almost 600 B-24s and B-17s, with fighter escorts, bomb communications
targets in Austria including the marshalling yards at Graz, Sankt Polten, and
Krems, and a railroad bridge on the Sulm River; 38 P-38s dive-bomb a railroad
bridge at Wildon; 71 P-38s and 55 P-51s strafe Vienna-Munich, Germany and
Wiener-Neustadt-Maribor, Yugoslavia rail traffic; others carry out photo and
weather reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort flights.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Major General Benjamin W Chidlaw takes command of the Twelfth AF and will
shortly take over command of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force
(MATAF) also.
In Italy, A-20s and A-26s continue intruder missions during the night of 1/2
Apr concentrating on Po River crossings and other Po Valley communications
targets; B-25s bomb railroad bridges at Fornovo di Taro, Drauburg, San Michele
all' Adige, Matrei am Brenner, Steinach, and Colle Isarco, and a railroad fill
at Vo Sinistro; fighters and fighter-bombers again hit communications in the Po
Valley but divert sizeable effort to attacks on methane plants in the C Po
area; the P-47s are attacked by about 40 fighters during the day, 13 are
claimed destroyed; HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Alesan,
Corsica to Rimini.
TUESDAY, 3 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
95 P-38s divebomb the Tainach- Stein railroad bridge in Austria; other P-38s
and P-51s fly reconnaissance and escort missions; bad weather prevents bomber
operations. HQ 325th Fighter Group and the 317th, 318th and 319th Fighter
Squadrons move from Rimini to Mondolfo, Italy with P-51s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 2/3 Apr A-20s bomb the marshalling yard at
Mantua, several Po River crossings and other communications targets in the Po
Valley; weather hampers operations during the day; medium bombers cancel most
missions, but manage to bomb the Po Valley bridges at Camposanto, Usigliano,
and Modena; the XXII Tactical Air Command [including Brazilian and South
African Air Force (SAAF) units] blast communications, fuel dumps, methane
plants, trains, motor transport at numerous points in N Italy (mainly in the Po
Valley), including Parma, Modena, Fidenza, Lodi, Bergamo, Reggio Emilia, and
Piacenza. The detachment of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, XXII Tactical Air
Command, operating from Florennes, Belgium with Beaufighters, moves to
Strossfeld, Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 4 APRIL 1945
ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
HQ 90th Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) begins a movement from San
Severo, Italy to the US.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Again bad weather prevents bomber operations and limits efforts to
reconnaissance and escort missions and to strafing attacks by 94 P-51s on rail
traffic in the Munich and Regensburg, Germany; Plzen, Czechoslovakia; and Linz,
and Gmunden, Austria areas.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s continue to blast communications along the Brenner rail
line, ranging from the railroad bridge at Drauburg to the Camposanto railroad
bridge; the B-25s also inflict considerable damage on the Merano methanol
plant; P-47s concentrate on enemy movement, rail lines, and ammunition and fuel
dumps throughout the Po Valley. The 489th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th
Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Alesan, Corsica to Rimini, Italy with
B-25s.
THURSDAY, 5 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
457 B-24s and B-17s attack a railroad bridge at Dravograd, Yugoslavia,
marshalling yards and locomotive depots at Brescia, Alessandria, and Turin,
Italy, and the airfield at Udine, Italy; 96 P-38s dive-bomb the Radovljica,
Yugoslavia railroad bridge, 27 P-51s with 13 flying top cover, strafe rail
communications in the Munich, Regensburg, and Passau, Germany, and Linz,
Austria areas; 20+ P-38s fly reconnaissance missions; around 300 fighter
sorties are flown to escort transport, reconnaissance, and bomber missions
(including an RAF raid on the Monfalconei, Italy shipyards).
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25s bomb 5 bridges in N Italy and Austria, at Steinach, Austria, and
Matrei am Brenner, Modena, Salorno, and San Michele all'Adige, and blast gun
positions at La Spezia, Italy; these attacks follow night raids by A-20s and
A-26s on bridges at Lavis, Ala, San Michele all'Adige, San Ambrogio di
Valpolicella, Piazzola sul Brenta, Cittadella, and Montebello, Italy and other
targets; fighters and fighter bombers devote their largest effort to close
support of ground forces, blasting occupied areas and gun positions in the
Massa Lombarda area, and also attack communications and dumps in the Po Valley.
FRIDAY, 6 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 387 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb marshalling yard
flak positions and an ordnance depot at Verona and a marshalling yard and small
arms plant at Brescia; 179 other bombers sent against targets in N Italy are
recalled; 81 P-38s dispatched to bomb a bridge in Austria abort due to weather;
14 manage to attack bridges near the Austro-Italian border; 6 P-51s (of 54
airborne) strafe railroad targets in the Straubing-Plattling, Germany area;
others fly reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Brigadier General Thomas C Darcy takes command of the XXII Tactical Air
Command.
In Italy, A-20s and A-26s on night intruder missions during the night of 5/6
Apr, bomb several bridges in the Po River Valley, scoring good results on 8 of
the targets, also hitting an assembly area along the Po River; XXII Tactical
Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers hit lines of communications, mainly in
the Po Valley, and support US Fifth Army forces attacking toward Massa
Lombarda; B-25s cancel missions against targets on the Brenner line due to
weather, but hit 6 bridges in the C Po Valley and gun positions at La Spezia.
The 446th and 448th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group
(Medium), move from Solenzara, Corsica to Falconara, Italy with B-25s.
SATURDAY, 7 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
128 B-17s and B-24s attack the Mezzocorona railroad bridge and nearby road
bridge, and the Verona-Parona di VaIpolicella railroad bridge in Italy, and
marshalling yards at Innsbruck, Sankt Veit an der Glan, and Klagenfurt,
Austria; 500+ bombers return to base without bombing because of multi-layer
clouds; 82 P-38s bomb the Tainach- Stein railroad bridge in Austria; 74 others
sent against a bridge in S Austria abort due to weather.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, during the night of 6/7 Apr, A-20s and A-26s bomb bridges at
Lavis, Ala, Rovereto, and San Ambrogio di VaIpolicella, and several Po River
crossings; during the day weather grounds the medium bombers; XXII Tactical Air
Command fighters and fighter bombers, operating on a limited scale, hit the
Montechino oilfield, ammunition dumps and communications targets N of the
battle area, and gun positions in the Monte Belvedere-Strettoia area in which
US Fifth Army forces push N. Units moving from Corsica to Italy: HQ 57th
Bombardment Wing and HQ 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) with the 380th, 381st
and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) from Ghisonaccia to Fano with B-25s;
the 486th, 487th and 488th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment
Group (Medium), from Alesan to Rimini with B-25s.
SUNDAY, 8 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
500+ B-24s and B-17s, with fighter escorts, attack communications in N
Italy, concentrating on the transportation system feeding into the Brenner
Pass; bridges, viaducts, and marshalling yards are hit at or near Bressanone,
Campodazzo, Vipiteno, Fortezza, Campo di Trens, Mezzocorona, Avisio, Brescia,
Gorizia, Pordenone, and Ponte Gardena; a power dam at Ponte Gardena is also
hit; 168 P-38s bomb the Rattenberg, Austria and Garmisch, Germany railroad
bridges and strafe rail traffic in the Munich, Germany and Salzburg and Linz,
Austria areas.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 7/8 Apr, A-20s and A-26s hit command posts and
dumps; medium bombers, despite bad weather bomb railroad bridges at Salorno,
San Michele all' Adige, Vo Sinistro, and Bondeno, a railroad fill and canal at
Salorno, and gun positions at La Spezia; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighter-bombers concentrate their efforts on the Brenner area communications
(cutting lines in 31 places and damaging 4 bridges), oil fields in the C Po
Valley, and points further N; the 445th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st
Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Solenzara, Corsica to Falconara with
B-25s.
MONDAY, 9 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 825 B-24s and B-17s in close coordination with the British Eighth
Army, pound gun positions and other forward military targets SE of Bologna, in
the area immediately W and SW of Lugo; 88 P-51s provide target cover. 150+
P-38s bomb and strafe railroad bridges at Rattenberg, Seefeld, and Telfs,
Austria and Rosenheim, Germany, and to the S near the Austro-German border, and
also hit rail lines in the Munich-Rosenheim, Germany area. 90+ P-51s escort
supply (to N Italy) and transport missions and support MATAF aircraft attacking
positions in the Imola, Italy area; other airplanes continue reconnaissance
operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-20s and A-26s on intruder missions during the night of 8/9 Apr,
bomb bridges, vehicles, and targets of opportunity in the Po River Valley and
NE Italy; during the day B-25s and XXII Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers
[in conjunction with RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) fighter-bombers and
Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force (MASAF) heavy bombers] blast gun
positions, troop concentrations, enemy HQ, and strongroupoints in the
Lugo-Imola area in support of a British Eighth Army offensive; other XXII
Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers bit communications in N Italy (including
the Brenner line) and methane plant and ammunition and fuel dumps in the W C Po
Valley.
TUESDAY, 10 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
648 B-24s and B-17s, in support of British Eighth Army forces, blast
artillery positions, machinegun nests, and infantry defenses along the Santerno
River in Italy; this effort represents the largest number of Fifteenth AF heavy
bombers attacking targets in a single day as of this date; 88 P-51s fly target
cover. 152 P-38s dive- bomb bridges, a tunnel and marshalling yards at Seefeld
and Worgl, Austria.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 9/10 Apr, A-20s and A-26s hit guns and other
close support targets along the British Eighth Army front (which stretches from
W of Imola to Comacchio Lagoon and the coast) and also hit several Po River
crossings and attack the Brenner line bridges at Lavis, Rovereto, and San
Michele all'Adige; during the day B-25s and XXII Tactical Air Command
fighter-bombers continue pounding support targets along the battlefront;
fighter-bombers also attack bridges on the Brenner line and communications and
other targets in the Po Valley.
WEDNESDAY, 11 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
544 B-24s and B-17s hit communications in N Italy, concentrating on the
transportation system feeding into the Brenner area, in an effort to hamper the
enemy's supply and escape routes; the bombers bomb bridges at Padua, Vipiteno,
Campodazzo, Ponte Gardena, and Campo di Trens, marshalling yards at Bronzolo
and Ora, a vehicle repair shop at Osoppo, and a fuel depot at Goito. 40 P-38s
dive-bomb the Rosenheim, Germany railroad bridge. 40 other P-38s and 29 P-51s
strafe rail traffic in the Munich and Regensburg, Germany; Plzen,
Czechoslovakia; and Linz and Salzburg, Austria areas. 250+ fighters escort the
bomber missions, reconnaissance and supply missions, and operations against N
Italian targets by MATAF aircraft.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 10/11 Apr, A-20s and A-26s bomb bridges at
Lavis, Ala, Rovereto, San Michele all'Adige, and San Ambrogio di Valpolicella,
and hit vehicles, Po River crossings and targets of opportunity in the Po
Valley; medium bombers continue to support British Eighth Army forces between
Imola and Comacchio Lagoon, bomb guns SE of La Spezia in front of the US Fifth
Army advance, and bomb 4 bridges on the Brenner line; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighter-bombers also fly support on the Eighth Army front, and hit
communications (including the Brenner line) and fuel and ammunition dumps in
the N.
THURSDAY, 12 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
400+ B-17s and B-24s hit communications in N Italy and S Austria, attacking
railroad bridges at Padua, Ponte di Piave and Nervesa della Bataglia, Italy,
and Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria, an ammunition dump at Malcontenta, and
supply dump at Peschiera del Garda, Italy; 124 P-51s provide escort. 123 P-38s
bomb railroad bridges at Unzmarkt and Arnoldstein, Austria; 128 B-24s, with
P-51 escort, sent against N Italian communications abort due to bad weather. 38
P-51s escort MATAF B-25s on raids in N Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 11/12 Apr, A-20s and A-26s hit Po River
crossings; medium bombers, restricted by low clouds, bomb approaches to the
Maribor, Yugoslavia bridge, hit targets along the Brenner rail line, and
support the British Eighth Army in the Argenta area; fighter-bombers attack NE
Italian railroad lines, including fuel dumps and communications targets in the
Po Valley.
FRIDAY, 13 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s are restricted by weather to 1 mission, an attack on a road
bridge at Mollinella; fighter bombers continue to hit communications and dumps
in the Po Valley and guns in the La Spezia area; during the night of 12/13 Apr,
A-20s and A-26s attack Po River crossings at San Benedetto Po, Ostiglia,
Piacenza, and Casalmaggiore, bridges at San Ambrogio di Valpolicella, and motor
transport and targets of opportunity in the Milan area.
SATURDAY, 14 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
318 B-17s and B-24s hit ammunition factories at Avigliana, Spilimbergo,
Malcontenta, and Palmanova, and a motor transport depot at Osoppo, Italy and
the Klagenfurt, Austria marshalling yard as a target of opportunity; 158
fighters provide escort; 29 P-38s bomb and strafe railroad targets in the
Munich and Regensburg, Germany- Linz, Austria areas; 54 P-51s fly escort for
MATAF B-25s bombing targets in N Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 13/14 Apr, A-20s and A-26s continue to hit
communications in the Po Valley; bad weather over the N part of the Brenner
line prevents medium bomber attacks but the B-25s hit alternates on the S part
of line at Salorno, San Ambrogio di Valpolicella, and Chiusaforte, bomb guns SE
of La Spezia in support of the US Fifth Army, and hit 5 defensive positions
along the British Eighth Army front in the Argenta area; fighter-bombers
concentrate on supporting Fifth Army forces SW of Bologna.
SUNDAY, 15 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 830 B-17s and B-24s, in support of the US Fifth Army, blast gun
positions, supply dumps, troop concentrations, maintenance installations, and
German HQ along highways leading from Bologna; 145 P-38s furnish escort;
another force of 312 B-17s and B-24s bomb rail diversion bridges at Nervesa
della Battaglia, Ponte di Piave, and Casarsa della Delizia, and an ammunition
factory and stores at Ghedi; 191 P-51s provide escort. 36 P-38s and 36 P-51s
strafe rail communications in the area bounded by Munich, Germany, Salzburg and
Linz, Austria, Plzen, Czechoslovakia, and Regensburg, Germany; 12 of the P-38s
skipbomb rail targets in the Salzburg-Linz, Austria area, including the
Vocklabruck marshalling yard; 8 P-38s furnish top cover for the strafing
missions. 128 P-51s provide uneventful escort for MATAF bombers on 3 missions
to N Italy. Other P-38s and P-51s carry out reconnaissance and reconnaissance
escort operations. Today's effort is the largest of World War II by the
Fifteenth AF (most fighters and bombers dispatched and attacking, and the
largest bomb tonnage dropped) during a 24-hour period; 1,142 heavy bombers bomb
targets.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 14/15 Apr, A-20s and A-26s concentrate on
communications targets in the Po Valley, particularly the Po River crossings;
during the day medium bombers and fighter-bombers concentrate on direct support
of the US Fifth and British Eighth Army drives, hitting troop concentrations,
guns, strongpoints, and a variety of targets in areas S of Bologna, around
Medicina and Sasso Marconi and at other points in battle areas.
MONDAY, 16 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
98 B-24s, escorted by 102 P-51s, bomb positions SW of Bologna, Italy; almost
700 B-24s and B-17s abort due to bad weather. 36 P-51s sweep areas S of Munich,
Germany, Plzen, Czechoslovakia, and Linz, Austria and 4 strafe an airfield E of
Munich, Germany. Other P-51s and P-38s fly escort and reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 15/16 Apr, A-20s and A-26s hit Po River
crossings, the towns of Vignola, Zoeca, and Sassuolo, and several targets of
opportunity in the Po Valley; during the day medium bombers bomb bridges on the
Reno River near Bologna, blast troop reserve areas SE of Portomaggiore on the
British Eighth Army front, and attack troop concentrations S of Portomaggiore;
fighters and fighter-bombers concentrate most of their effort on close support
targets in the US Fifth Army battle area S and SW of Bologna.
TUESDAY, 17 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 751 B-24s and B-17s, in support of the US Fifth Army, hit troop
concentrations, supply dumps, gun positions, and HQ immediately S and SW of
Bologna; 143 P-51s provide escort. 147 P-38s divebomb railroad bridges at
Seefeld and Mariahof, Austria. 14 P-51s, with 10 flying top cover, strafe
targets of opportunity in the Munich, Germany, Plzen, Czechoslovakia, and Linz,
Austria areas. 61 P-51s escort MATAF supply missions to N Italy and bombing
raids on bridges in W Austria. Other P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance and
reconnaissance escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 16/17 Apr, A-20s and A-26s hit Po River
crossings and several towns W and SW of Bologna; during the day B-25s of the
57th Bombardment Wing successfully attack 4 Reno River bridges near Bologna and
close support targets on the British Eighth Army front to the SW, and
extensively damage 4 bridges in N Italy and Austria on the Brenner rail line;
XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers concentrate on close
support of the US Fifth Army S and W of Bologna.
WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 473 B-24s and B-17s, with an escort of 89 P-51s, support the US
Fifth Army offensive in the Bologna area, blasting defensive positions and
communications in areas around the city; 78 P-38s dive-bomb railroad a bridge
at Malborghetta Valbruna, while 87 others dive-bomb 2 railroad bridges at and
SE of Kolbnitz, Austria. P-51s sweep the Augsburg, Germany, Plzen,
Czechoslovakia, and Linz, Austria areas, escort reconnaissance missions flown
by P-38s, and escort MATAF B-25s and C-47s on bombing and supply operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 17/18 Apr, A-20s and A-26s pound communications
in the S Po Valley and towns of Vignola, Bazzano, and Sassuolo in the US Fifth
Army battle area; medium bombers hit 2 railroad fills and a bridge on the S
Brenner line and troop concentrations on the US Fifth and British Eighth Army
fronts, SW of Bologna and in the Dugnano Paderno area; fighter-bombers of the
XXII Tactical Air Command also concentrate on support targets in the Fifth Army
battle area.
THURSDAY, 19 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
619 B-17s and B-24s attack rail communications in S Germany, Austria, and N
Italy, bombing the Rattenberg, Austria railroad bridge and marshalling yards at
Lienz, Klagenfurt and Linz, Austria; Bischofshofen and Rosenheim, Germany; and
in Italy, the Avisio viaduct, Vipiteno railroad bridge, AA batteries near
Grisolera and Santo Stino di Livenza, and several minor targets of opportunity.
78 P-38s divebomb the marshalling yard at Weilheim, Germany. Other P-38s and
P-51s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort, and escort MATAF B-25s and
C-47s. B-24 units moving from Italy to the US: HQ 98th and 343d, 344th, 345th
and 415th Bombardment Squadrons from Lecce; HQ 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
and 512th, 513th, 514th and 515th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) from San
Pancrazio.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 18/19 Apr, A-20s and A-26s bomb roads,
vehicles, and lights in the Bologna, Turin, Milan, and Mantua areas, and
continuing to pound Po River crossings, hit 8 bridges; medium bombers bomb
bridges in the Brenner Pass and support ground forces at several points
including Budrio, Vignola, and San Martino in the Soverzano areas;
fighter-bombers hit dumps, communications, and close support targets in the US
Fifth Army battle areas S and W of Bologna.
FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bombers again pound railway systems and road bridges in an effort to hinder
the supply or withdrawal of enemy forces in N Italy; 700+ B-24s and B-17s hit
railroad bridges at Campodazzo, Ponte Gardena, and Campo di Trens, a viaduct at
Avisio, marshalling yards at Vipiteno, Fortezza, and Brennero, and road bridges
at Lusia, la Carrare, and Boara Pisani, and in Austria, the Mariahof viaduct
and Innsbruck marshalling yard. 115 P-38s divebomb the Innsbruck, Austria-
Rattenberg, Austria-Rosenheim, Germany railroad line, hitting marshalling yards
at Hall, Schwaz, Jenbach, Kundl, and Worgl, Austria and Kiefersfelden, Germany,
4 rail bridges, and several box cars, and cut rail lines at 42 places between
Innsbruck and Rosenheim. Other P-38s and P-51s escort heavy bombers, MATAF
supply runs to N Italy, Hungary, and Yugoslavia, and MATAF B-25 raids in N
Italy, and fly reconnaissance.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 19/20 Apr, A-20s and A-26s on night intruder
missions continue to pound Po River crossings and vehicle movement throughout
the Valley; medium bombers considerably damage 4 of 6 railroad bridges and
fills attached on the Brenner line, and also hit HQ in the battle area and 2
Reno River bridges N of Bologna; fighter-bombers again support US Fifth Army
elements S and W of Bologna as they begin to emerge from the Apennines onto the
Po plain.
SATURDAY, 21 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
240 B-17s and B-24s, with P-51 escort, bomb marshalling yards at Rosenheim,
Germany and Attnang-Puchheim, Spittal an der Drau, and Vocklabruck, Austria;
400+ B-24s and their fighter escorts, sent to attack communications in N Italy,
abort due to bad weather; 138 P-38s bomb railroad lines and facilities in the
Munich and Rosenheim, Germany-Rattenberg, Austria areas; other P-38s fly
reconnaissance while P-51s escort reconnaissance flights, MATAF medium bomber
operations to Austria, and US and RAF supply and transport missions to
Yugoslavia. HQ 52d Fighter Group moves from Madna Airfield to Piagiolino
Airfield, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 20/21 Apr, A-20s and A-26s bomb Po River
crossings with good results; weather curtails daytime operations but medium
bombers score hits on the Matrei am Brenner bridge on the Brenner rail line in
Austria and in the late afternoon hit Po River crossings; XXII Tactical Air
Command fighters and fighter bombers, grounded most of the day, fly close
support to the US Fifth Army which drives into Bologna (a longstanding
objective) and begins to push rapidly across the plain toward the Po River.
SUNDAY, 22 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather cancels all bomber operations. 258 P-51s and P-38s fly armed
reconnaissance over NE Italy, bombing marshalling yards, bridges, railroads,
highways, and several buildings and strafing an airfield, rail and road
traffic, and numerous other targets of opportunity; other P-38s fly
reconnaissance while P-51s escort reconnaissance and supply missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
The entire night and day effort is concentrated against German forces
retreating N across the Po River in face of Allied forces which send advance
elements racing to the S bank; medium bombers fly 16 missions against ferries
and pontoon bridge sites on the Po between Casalmaggiore and Polesella; XXII
Tactical Air Command A-20s and A-26s, fighter-bombers, and fighters maintain
night and day attacks on Po crossings and enemy movement; the command claims
900+ motor and horse-drawn vehicles destroyed.
MONDAY, 23 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 719 B-24s and B-17s attack bridges over the Brenta and Adige
Rivers (at Bonavigo, Zevio, Albaredo d'Adige, 2 at Legnano, Badia, 3 at Padua,
and Cavarzere) and hit a supply dump at Peschiera del Garda; 165 P-38s and
P-51s on armed reconnaissance of NE Italy bomb and strafe rail and road
bridges, highways, trains and vehicles, and other targets of opportunity; other
P-38s fly reconnaissance; and other P-51s escort reconnaissance flights and
MATAF B-25 missions against targets in N Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 22/23 Apr, A-20s and A-26s and night fighters
hit Po River crossings, a marshalling yard, airfields, vehicles, trains, and
targets of opportunity in general in the N and W Po Valley; during the day
medium bombers pound Po River crossings, road bridges over the Brenta River,
and hit the Brenner rail line at 4 points; fighters and fighter-bombers on
armed reconnaissance in the N and W Po Valley attack motor transport, road
bridges, and numerous targets in support of the US Fifth Army, elements of
which cross the Po River. The detachment of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron,
62d Fighter Wing, operating from Strossfeld, Germany with Beaufighters, returns
to base at Pontedera, Italy.
TUESDAY, 24 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
About 700 B-24s and B-17s attack railroad bridges at Malborghetto Kolbnitz,
Drauburg and Arnoldstein, Austria and in Italy, railroad bridges at Valbruna,
Fermata di Brondolo, Casarsa della Delizia, and Latisana, road bridges at
Spilinibergo, Bassano del Grappa, and Friola, a motor transport depot at
Osoppo, marshalling yards at San Ambrogio di Valpolicella and Rovereto, and a
supply dump at Peschiera del Garda. 79 P-38s and 90 P-51s fly armed
reconnaissance over wide areas of N Italy, many strafing tactical targets N of
the advancing US Fifth and British Eighth Armies; the P-38s carry out several
dive-bombing missions, claiming 1 bridge destroyed and 5 damaged. Other P-51s
and P-38s fly 186 sorties in escort of the bombers, reconnaissance missions,
and MATAF operations. 22 P-38s complete reconnaissance flights. The 2d, 4th and
5th Fighter Squadrons, 52d Fighter Group, move from Madna Airfield to
Piagiolino Airfield, Italy with P-51s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 23/24 Apr, A-20s and A-26s bomb airfields at
Villafranca di Verona, Ghedi, and Bergamo, marshalling yards at Trento,
Piacenza. and Fidenza, and vehicles and other targets of opportunity throughout
the Po Valley and elsewhere in N Italy; medium bombers hit 6 Po River crossings
and (as ground forces reach and cross the Po at several points, relieving
necessity for many attacks along the river) then carry out 6 attacks between
Verona and Trento on the Brenner rail line; fighters and fighter-bombers blast
vehicles on the Po Valley roads N of the river and up to the Brenner rail line,
and also hit roads and vehicles between La Spezia and Parma.
WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 467 B-17s and B-24s bomb the main marshalling yard station, and
sidings, N and S main marshalling yards and freight yard at Linz, the major
Austrian traffic center along the railline running N to Prague, Czechoslovakia,
plus the Wels marshalling yard (an alternate) and several targets of
opportunity. 119 P-38s and P-51s fly armed reconnaissance over N Italy, a few
strafing road traffic. The P-38s dive-bomb road and rail bridges and raillines.
P-38s and P-51s fly almost 300 sorties in escort of the heavy bombers, P-38
reconnaissance flights, and MATAF B-26 raids.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, all combat operations are aimed at plugging retreat routes and
disrupting transport in the N Po Valley and points to the N; medium bombers hit
the Adige River crossing at Cavarzere and marshalling yard at Gorizia, and
attack 5 bridges and fills on the Brenner line in Austria and N Italy, damaging
2 of the targets; fighters and fighter-bombers harass the retreating forces in
the N Po Valley; during the night of 24/25 Apr, A-20s and A-26s and night
fighters attack the crossings of the Adige and Po Rivers and the Canale Bianco,
and strike airfields at Villafranca di Verona, Udine, and Bergamo, and
marshalling yards at Brescia and Verona.
THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
107 B-24s bomb a motor transport depot at Tarvisio, Italy, and marshalling
yards at Sachsenburg, Lienz, Spittal an der Drau, and Klagenfurt, Austria (all
targets of opportunity); 117 B-17s and 196 B-24s, also dispatched against
targets in N Italy, abort due to bad weather; 155 fighters provide escort; 75
P-38s and 102 P-51s fly armed reconnaissance over N Italy; of these, 12 P-38s
and 48 P-51s strafe targets of opportunity; all of the P-38s dive-bomb rail
lines and road bridges; 16 other P-38s dive-bomb the NW part of Alesso, Italy;
reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort and supply escort missions by P-38s
and P-51s continue as usual.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 25/26 Apr, XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft
hit marshalling yards, airfields, motor transport, and other communications
targets, mainly in the N Po Valley; medium bombers complete 1 of 4 missions
dispatched (clouds obscures 3 targets), hitting the Chioggia bridge and
knocking out a span; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers
attack enemy movement throughout the afternoon, destroying 150+ motor
transport.
FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather cancels bomber operations and hampers fighter missions; 8 P-51s
and 2 P-38s complete weather reconnaissance missions; other fighters sent on
reconnaissance escort and armed reconnaissance flights abort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Bad weather throughout N Italy holds operations to a minimum; XXII Tactical
Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers operate during the latter part of the
afternoon, closely supporting ground forces in the battle area N of the Po
River, hitting guns, vehicles, railroads, train cars, and Bergamo Airfield as
the US 1st Armored Division spearheads the drive to the NW.
SATURDAY, 28 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Continued bad weather cancels heavy bomber operations and limits fighters to
escort and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather severely curtails operations. In Italy, XXII Tactical Air Command
fighters and fighter-bombers, flying 100+ sorties, hit enemy movement in the
battle area at several points from S of Piacenza to NW of Milan; medium bombers
are grounded.
SUNDAY, 29 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather again prevents bomber operations. 8 P-51s and P-38s complete
weather and photo reconnaissance missions. 39 P-51s fly armed reconnaissance
over NE Italy; 5 of the fighters bomb and 4 strafe various targets of
opportunity, claiming 4 motor transports destroyed and a reconnaissance car and
2 parked aircraft damaged.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again restricts operations; the medium bombers are
grounded; fighters and fighter-bombers attack retreating forces and
communications throughout NE Italy including Thiene Airfield and claim 350+
motor transport destroyed; enemy forces in Italy, commanded by General Heinrich
von Vietinghoff surrender unconditionally at Caserta, effective 2 May; HQ 57th
Fighter Group and 64th, 65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons move from Grosseto to
Villafranca di Verona, with P-47s.
MONDAY, 30 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
For the fourth consecutive day bad weather cancels bomber operations; P-38s
fly reconnaissance, escorted by P-51s. Other P-51s and P-38s escort
supply-dropping missions to N Italy and Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 29/30 Apr, A-20s and A-26s hit motor transport
near Lake Como and roads in the Trento, San Michele all'Adige, and Bolzano
areas; bad weather grounds the medium bombers; fighter-bombers fly armed
reconnaissance over N Italy, blasting guns, vehicles, and other targets of
opportunity; the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic
Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Peretola Airfield, Florence to Villafranca
with F-5s.
SOURCES:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2
WORLD WAR II IN THE NORTH PACIFIC by Kevin D. Hutchinson, 1994, 1955-59 ISBN-0-313-29130-6
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)1955-59
