TACTICAL MISSION REPORT

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OPERATION No.

REPORT OF SHUTTLE OPERATION

ZI JUNE -*. S JUUf

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""_E. S. JOHNSTOK* '

IOI Colonel, lufamtry . \u25a0

T.91. 6769. We- 1326. 6.000. 5/44. C. & S.

S9 Jm 1945
I
*^^^^^/ By authcffi^^^^
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE CGP Sights Mr Farce
APO 634 ". Initials *?<W•
J,iiJ.UJ.tVJ.W
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Date £7^ff¥X

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KEPOKT OF SHUTTLE BOMBING MISSION

<p MISSION
1. UNITED KINGDOM TG, RUSSIA

2« RUSSIA TO ITALY

3. ITALY TO ROIB^HA TO ITALY

4. ITALY TO UNITED KINCH)OM

m
 HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE CG, Eighth Air Forpe
APO 634 &&f«?.54 •*
Initials
Datte*?4*s'f*<
27 December, 1944 .
~~
COPY NO. 51

SUBJECT: Report of Shuttle Bombing Mission, 21 June

- 5 July, 1944 •
N.

TO Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D» C»

(Through Channels) •

TOUTED, KINGDOM, TO RUSSIiL 2I .JUI^LL9j4£

rT

1* PUNNING, %

• Eighth
a. Instructed by the Commanding General, USSTAF, that the first
Ail Force shuttle ]?ombing mission from bases in the United Kingdom
1

to USSTAF Eastern Command bases in Russie uas to be executed, on the 15th

of June or as soon thereafter as weather conditions permitted, this Command
completed numerous preliminary preparations end planned to carry out the
operation upon receipt of the first fevorcble forecast. The task force was
to be comprised of three B-17 Combat Wings (one three^Group Combat Wing of
21 aircraft per Group and two three -Group Combat Wings of 18 aircraft per
Group) and a four-Squadron P- 51 Group * 1/eather conditions which would per­
mit the simultaneous execution of.a deep penetration into Germany hy forces
which v?ould return as usual to United Kingdom bases were desired in order
that fighter strength might be economic? lly employed • The Russia -bound
force, escorted over western Germany and Poland by only one P«*sl Group end
likely to encounter enemy opposition on this phase of the course, would be
screened by the other bomber forces during its penetration.
'
b. Satisfactory weether for the execution of tentative plans was
forecast for 21 June* Visual bombing conditions (2^4-/10 stratociimulus and
1-3/lQ altocumulus) were expected to prevail in the Berlin are?, and the
forecast for the route to bases in Russia wrs feyoreble.
# c. Plans were made to carry out the shuttle bombing mission in
conjunction with a large-scale effort against targets in the Berlin efea
by three other bombor forces. (See Report of Operation "o. 4-28, 21 June,)
The -objective of the three Combat Wings continuing to Russia was the large
synthetic oil plant of Breunlcohle Benzin A,G. at Ruhland, approximately 70
miles southeast of Berlin, The / force \ie& scheduled to follow immediately
behind a lerge force of 8~24 f s for the greater part of the route to the
objective \u26 6 The prescribed course w?s from Lcestoft on the English coast
across the North Sea to a point west of Jutland r:-d thence souther st to the
Initial Point. (The "Q^ZAls were to turn on a more ersterly heeding only a
short time before the Russia-bound B-17 Is reached the Initial point*) Two
other B*»17 foroes Trere to penetrate simultaneously' on a more northerly
course* It was considered probable thet enemy fighter strength Yirould be
directed against the forces scheduled to return to England end that the
B-17 !s continuing to Russia could reach their target without opposition.
The course from ftuhlend was almost due east to the vicinity of the Polish-
Russipn border nhere the three Combe t Wings turned southeast on the final
phase of the route to US&PAF Eastern Commend bases at Mirgorod end Poltava,
two landing at the former end one ct the latter*
d. Three fighter Groups were detailed to furnish penetration end
target support for the tesls force* Tr;o r-4-7 Groups* were to rendezvous off
the Coast of Jutland and cover the initial phase of the route. These were
* NOTE: The 56th Fighter Group vies to furnish two tactical Groups of 36
 001*

to be relieved by a W^KjMmM ujftcJf^:rsiHL continue through the target

area and escort Group scheduled
to rendezvous near tlie with the bombers
to Russia, The latter Group wr.s tcrxoSrejfta q§ JtoJrgSquadr'ons which were
to take up positions on the two flanks end e..t tne^ront and resr of the
bomber column* This Group was to accompany the task force for as long as
possible before leaving the bombers end proceeding to USSTAF Eastern Command
base pt Piryatin. The distance for which they would be able to furnish
escort would depend on the extent and duration of enemy fighter apportion,
but in any event they were expected to be able to support the force lor a
good portion of the flight across Poland,

2. EXECUTION,
a, Take-Off end Assembly. *
(1) In spite of a low ceiling end somewhat limited' visibili­
ties on the ground, toke^offs were executed without incident. No difficul­
ty was experienced in accomplishing Group and Combat Wing forme tions al­
though assembly routes end times rrere cut short of those employed for
normal operations in order to conserve fuel for the long mission ahead. The
three Combrt VJings assembled according to schedule met departure from the
English coast was at the planned time, A total of L47 B-17!s were dis­
patched on the operation.

« .
b on •
Penet rati
(1) The briefed route across the North See wra floT.m over
a solid overcast but no high or middle cloud was encountered end the force
maintained good formation r.s it climbed to the planned bombing altitude of
20,000. feet* One Combat VJing me do landfall et Cuxheven, slightly north of
the briefed point (midway between Cuxhaven and B-remerhaven to avoid ,the
enti-firerrft defenses at theso two places), end some battle damage was
caused by moderate and accurate enti-aircraft fire encountered there. The
overland penetration course wes followed with very minor deviations and
the loading Combat Uing rerched the Initial Point at 'the briefed time, , the
other two arriving et intervals only slightly greater then the planned two
minutes.
(2) The two F-4-7 Groups rendezvoused as planned shortly be­
fore the force crossed the German cor st, breaking escort in the vicinity
of stendel after the arrive.! of the P-51 Group detailed for last phase
# penetration and target support.
(3) Neither bombers nor escorting fighters observed any
enemy aircraft. In addition to the anti-air err ft fire encountered at Cux­
heven, inaccurate' fire wos received from the Brandenburg defenses*

c. Target Area.

(1) Excellent weather conditions for visuel bombing prevailed

in the target areo but sighting . operations were slightly hindered by the
ismoke screen rhich had been effected* -Additions! smoke from fires caused
by the bombing of lording Groups made it more difficult for succeeding
fottnstiono to locate the assigned Aiming Points* With the exception of
ono Group which released on Elstorwcrdc, approximately 10 miles west of
ftuhlend, as a result of poor tcrgct id-ontification, , the entire force attacked r
tho assigned objective, -Both times and .altitudes of attrck were essentially
as planned/ A total of 123 3-0.7*0 dropped 208 f 7 tons HE and 26,3 tons IB
on tho primary tcrgot; 21 3*l7lz dropped Alt 3 tons IB and 1.5 tons HE on
Blstorworda; one B*-17 dropped 2,0 tons HS on Rissa as a result of a rock
malfunction*
(2) Strike' and reconnaissance photographs indicate the follow*
ing results:
\

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 3

damage waS^cSWeJ U? : wF^tmie P^-all^ including the

/ refinery proper * fly^r^ was hit. with severe
damage to gas generators, contect ovens and gasholders? the
gas purification facilities and the power plant also suffered
damage. Four of the five distillation units were damaged,
,
some severely, and loading installations oil storage tanks
and shops were hit. In addition, offices and storage facili*
ties suffered serious damage and steam pipes and railways were
disrupted throughout the plant* (For photographs and de­
tailed statement of damage see "Bombing" Annex.)
Elsterwerda (21 B~l7*s dropped 4.1.3 tons IB and 1.5 tons HE) « Strike
photographs indicate that bombs fell approximately 2600 yards
northwest of the town*
(3) The Pr»sl Group continued, close escort through the
target ares Neither the fighters nor bombers encountered any enemy air­
\u2666

craft. 4nti~aircraft fire at Buhland was described as moderate end accurate*

d* Withdrawal. i

(1) Combat Wing rallied as 'planned and the force main*

tamed excellent formation throughout the entire route to Eastern Command
bases • Shortly after crossing the Polish-Russian border high cloud wes
#
encountered and frequent turns were neces scry to avoid towering columns*
Ground detail was obscured for approximately one hour but the force was
substantially on course when visual contact was regained , Weather conditions
in base areas were good and no difficulty was experienced in locating
Mirgorod arid Poltava. The middle and trailing Combat Wings landed at the
former while the leading Combat YJJtng continued as planned to the latter.
Fuel shortages made it necessary for five aircraft to land at bases near
Kiev* Arrival times varied but littlo from those planned*
(2) The p-51 Group furnishing target support remained
with the bombers to a point approximately 50 miles southeast of Posen, break­
ing escort as the P-51 Group (four Squadrons) detailed to continue to Russia
effected rendezvous on schedule. ,The latter Group remained with the bombers

•
for a distance of approximately 425 miles, leaving the force in the vicinity
of the Polish-Russian border after 2k hours of close escort* The course to
the Er stern Command base at piryatin was without incident, the fighters fly**
ing' over Russian territory at low altitude (3000 feet) as briefed*
(3) Approximately 50 miles southeast of Brest-Jjitovsk
20 to 30 single*engine enemy fighters attempted 1 to intercept the force Two
attacks, one directed against the trailing Combat Wing and the other against
.
the leading Combat Vling, were attempted almost simultaneously » Escorting '
fighters maneuvered quickly to disperse the two formations and only a small
number of aircraft succeeded in pressing home their attacks* The P-51 !s
claimed six enemy aircraft destroyed and three damaged for the loss of one
friendly fighter. The .bombers claimed two enemy aircreft destroyed end one
probably destroyed.
(4.) Moderate and accurate anti-aircraft fire vies en­
countered south of Biala, . Poland.

c* Losses.
(1) One B-17 was. lost on the operation, but whether -as a
result of attacks
'
by enemy aircraft or anti-aircraft fire is not knoYm* Jt
is probable that both were contributing factors*
(2) The p*sl lost in aerial combat r/rs the only loss
sustained by the fighters which lr.nded in. Russia. In the three Groups which
furnished penetration and target support, one P*47 was lost while executing
a strafing attack*

~ 3
­
*

 ENEMY ATTACK ON USST,

1, On the night of 21 June the Combat had landed at

Poltava sustained severe losses as the result of an enemy air attack on
this base* Personnel were aleHed at approximately 2330 hours when it was
direction of Poltava .
announced that German bombers had crossed the front lines in the general
A* 0030 hours Pathfinder aircraft released flares
directly above the field and. 10 minutes later the first bombs were dropped.
For almost two hours an estimated 75 bombers attacked the base, exhibiting
a very high degree o£ aocuracy. Observers, were of the opinion that 98%
of the bombs fell on either the flying field and line installations or in
dispersal areas. A. wry largs majority of the bombs dropped in the dis­
persal areas on that side of the landing ground where only B-17*s were
parked, indicating without question that the B~l7*s constituted the specific
objective of the raiders.

2» Of the 73 bombers which had landed at this base, 47 were destroyed

and most of the remainder severely damaged. Three days after the attack,
only nine of the damaged aircraft were operational One combat crew membetf
\u2666

was killed and one seriously wounded j several others suffered minor in­

• juries.

RUSSIA TO ITALY -< 26 JUNE 19.

!\u2666 PLANNING.
a. On the day following the enemy air attack on Poltava the
task force commander made the deciss.on (confirmed the same day by orders
from Headquarters USSTAF) to proceed to Fifteenth Air Force bases in Italy
as soon as weather conditions permitted. It wes believed that further
attacks hy enemy bombers were certainj the proximity of German airfields,
the obvious inadequacy of ground and air defenses, and the lack of sufficient
number of properly equipped heavy bomber bases for dispersal of aircraft -
made the forces extremely vulnerable.
b. Planning for the mission from Russia to Italy was accomplished \
by the task force commander, his operations, intelligence and weather

Two separate plans were made

-
officers who accompanied the force, and the commander of the fighter group •
one providing for attack on an important
oil refinery at Drohobe^ in southern Polandj the other having the railway
marshalling yards at Brasov in central Roumania as its objectives. It ?/os
# hoped that weather conditions would permit the bombers to operate against
the former target which was not .only of highest priority but offered a
further advantage in making it improbable that the enemy fighter controller
would be able to determine the ultimate destination of the force and thero*­
by render interception more difficult. The final decision as to the two
plans was to be contingent on weather conditions but in any event the
operation was to be executed as soon es a favorable forecast was obtained
for either proposal. Intentions were fully coordinated with Eastern Command,
USSTAF* and Fifteenth Air Force.
c. Losses and damage sustained in the enemy bomber attack on
Poltava and damage suffered en route to Russia had reduced the number of
operational 3~17?s to approximately 70 • All available aircraft vjorc to be
formed into one 'composite Combat Wing (three Groups) for the execution of
the operation* The bombers at Mirgorod and the P*sl1s at Piryatin had been
flown farther east to Russian airfields on the day following the attack in
anticipation that the enemy bombers would return. (Both Mirgorod and Piryatin
were bombed on the night of 22/23 June,) Runways at these fields were not
long enough .to permit heavily loaded B-17 !s to take off and furthermore
bombs and fuel were not available there. Consequently, on tho dry of the
operation all Brl7*s were to fly to Mirgorod and Poltava for servicing and
refueling before beginning the mission. To provide the necessary time to
accomplish these tasks, target times were set as late as possible within the
requirements for daylight J|inclings with ample margin for the possibility that
 strong headwinds might be Tn# fcujf^iLjHposed for both plans
encountered,
were substantially direct from the Eastern Commana ffSes to the targets
and to the Fifteenth Air Force bases near Foggia. The p- 51. Group was to
rendezvous east of Drohobez or Brasov, cc the case might be, and provide
close escort as long as possible, A Fifteenth Air Force P-51 Group was
scheduled to rendezvous at the limit of its range from its base in Italy
to cover the final phase of the rdthdrawal.

2. EXECUTION.
a. Take -Off and Assembly*
(1) On the basis of preliminary weather reports it was de­
cided to attack the objective at Drohobez on 25 June. Aircraft were flown
from dispersal bases to Poltava and Mirgorod shortly after daybreak for
servicing and crew briefing but a late revision of the forecast indicated
unfavorable conditions and necessitated the postponement of the operation*
Bombs were thereupon unloaded and 400 gallons of gasoline drained from each
aircraft. £11 operational bombers were dispatched to the dispersal fields
during the late afternoon. Instructions were issued to return to Poltava
and Mirgorod tlie following morning, 26 June, favorable weather conditions

• for the execution of the mission against the same target having been fore­
cast.
(2) Aircraft were serviced on schedule on the morning of
26 June and the Combat T/ing took off from the two bases at Poltava and
Mirgorod as planned. Of the ?2 B-17*s participating, approximately one-half
were dispatched from each base. Group assemblies (23-24 aircraft in each
of the three Groups) were effected without incident and the Combat I7ing was
formed over J,lirgorod« Scattered cloud made it necessary to assemble at
12,000 feet rather than the planned altitude of 9000 feet. Departure from \u2666

Mirgorod was at the briefed time.

b# Penetration*
(1) The westerly route to the InitialPoint northeast of
the target was florm slightly north of course. As a result of more favor­
able winds than predicted, the bombers flew slightly ahead of schedule and

* .
tho P-51 Group (f>s aircraft) effected rendezvous northeast of Drohobez a
short time later than planned
(2) No enemy aircraft were encountered by the bomber or the
fighter Group formations. One P-51, which was forced to return to base to
replace an external fuol tank which had dropped shortly after tekg-off and
which was on route to rejoin the Group, was attacked by several Me~lo9 !s«
The encounter wes r/ithout consequence and the P-51 subsequently Joined the
rear P-51 Squadron.
(3) Meager and accurate ant i~aircraft fire was encountered
by the bombers in the vicinity of the- Russian-German battle line* At Brody
and Jjy/ow bursts wore observed out of range.

c. Target Area..
(1) Excellent v/eather conditions for visual bombing were en^
countered in the target area. Groups uncovered at the InitialPoint as
planned and all aircraft attacked the primary target^ seventy-one B-17 r s
of the 72 dispatched, one having been forced to return to base as a result
of mechanical failuro, dropped 139*6 tons HE. Time over target was 15 minutes
early; bombing altitude ranged between 20,000 and 21,000 feet.
(2) Photographs obtained by the Mediterranean Allied Photo
Reconnaissance Wing indicate that both the refinery and an adjoining marshal­
ling yard suffered considerable damage. A"k "the former, 15 large and 5 small­
er storage tanks wore destroyed and others damaged. Two unidentified build­
ings wore severely damag©*| |&Hcfes oil plant were

5
 slightly damaged. The boiler house j&J&i^fews&{jjjfi blast damage* Two
buildings which are believed to house a -wax treating plant and two others
in that area were severely damaged. Rail sidings serving the refinery
were out in at lesst four places. In the marshalling yards the engine round­
house was seriously affected and two probable repair shops and c warehouse
destroyed. The main passenger station and unidentified buildings sustained
heavy damage.
(3) No enemy aircraft were reported in the target area .
.
Anti-aircraft
accurate
fire was described ac meager to moderate and generally in­

d. Withdrawal,
(1) The Combat Wing reformed as planned at the Rally Point
and the southwesterly route to Foggs,a was flown with only minor departures
from course. The three Groups landed at different bases in the area sub­
stantially on schedule.

(2) The Eighth Air Force P-51 Group furnished close escort \
to a point approximately 50 miles from the coast of Yugoslavia. The

• Fifteenth Air Force F<*sl Group effected rendezvous as planned about an hour
after the bombers left the target and continued with the formation to Italy.
(3) No enemy aircraft were encountered jduring the withdrawal*
Non-effective enti-aircraft fire we s reported at Novi-Sad, Yugoslavia.
(4.) Neither the bombers nor fighters sustained any losses.
OPERATIONS IN CONJUNCTION HITH FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE
It ?/as planned to return to. bases in England on 27 June or as soon
thereafter as weather conditions permitted, but unfavorable forecasts delayed
the flight until s .July. During this period the 8~17 f s participated in one
mission and the P-51 !s in two missions in conjunction with the Fifteenth
Air Force.
1. MISSION OF 2 JULY.
a. On this date the P«*sl Group was employed in conjunction with
fighters of the Fifteenth Air Force to support an attack by heavy bombers
m of that command on objectives in the Budapest area* The Eighth Air Force
P-51*s were to precede the bombers and conduct a free-lance sweep in the
target area.

b. The mission was executed according to plans formulated by

the Fifteenth Air Force. Aggressive enemy opposition was encountered and
the Group sustained four losses in combat, Tito additional P«-51*s failed to
return, the causo in one instance attributed to accident, the reason in the
other instance being unknown. Eighth Air Force fighters claimed nine enemy
aircraft destroyed and one damaged. Of 45 P-*sl*s dispatched, 41 received
sortie credit*

2* MISSION OF 3 JUIY.

a* On this date the B-17 Combat Wing, escorted by the P-51 Group,
operated in conjunction with the Fifteenth J\ir Force against the marshalling
yards at Arad* Roumania, Plans for the mission were made by that command.

b. Fifty-seven Eighth Air Force B-17's were dispatched. Group

-
and Combat Hing assemblies were executed without difficulty and the entire
mission was flown essentially as briofed. Weather conditions wore excellent
and the Combat f'ings maintained good formation and adhered to the proposed
course. Fifty-five 3-17 *s (two aircraft abandoned the mission due to mechani­
cal failure) droppedpl^ii ssfco*is M on the primary target which wee also

«p mSW
tm Q
 \

attacked by 44 B*l7f s of the^ft^3k^P^to 6^^plwdropped

l
122.5 tons
tracks throughout the marshalling yards .
HE* Reconnaissance photographs revealed serei'e&fea^'g^ to installations and
West ofTlSrtarget an engineering
works covering an extensive area was almost completely devastated •

c* Of 39 Eighth Air Force P~51 fs dispatched to furnish close

escort, 3B completed sorties. Neither the fighters nor bombers observed

any enemy aircraft. The 3-17*5 encountered no anti-aircraft fire at the

target and reported that ground defenses in action en route were out of

ranges

d. All Eighth Air Force aircraft returned safely, from the opera­
tion.
TALI TO TOTED KINGDCH, 5 JULY 19.
1* PLMING,
a. On the basis of a frvorable weather forecast for the Medi­
terranean area an operation against targets in southern France in oonjunc*
tion with the" Fifteenth Air Force :/as planned for 5 July* It was predicted

\u25a0
•
that conditions would be unsatisfactory to proceed from the target area to
England and the original plan provided for the Eighth Air Force bombers and
fighters to return to bases in Italy. At 0230 hours on 5 July a revised,
forecast was received and plsns were chenged to provide for the return of
Eighth Air Force units to England rather than to return to Italy.

b. The target for the Eighth Air Force bombers was the marshalling
yard at Beziers, France. Fifteenth Air Force units rrere to attack five
objectives in the same general area. Both the route to Beziers, located
several miles from the southern coast, end that to be followed on the with­
drawal to Beachy Heed were essentially direct. The returning P-51 Group
was scheduled to rendezvous south of Marseille and furnish support through
the target area. Two U»I£» based P-51 Groups were to meet the force at the
target and escort to the limit of endurance with two P*4<7 Groups scheduled
to cover the final phase of the withdrawal.

2. EXECUTION.
a. Take-Off and Assembly.
(1) Group and Combat Wing assemblies were accomplished as

planned and the fore© begsn the mission on schedule. Seventy Eighth Air

Force B-17is Y/ere dispatched.

b. penetration.

(1) The proposed course was closely followed and control

points were reached within a fe?; minutes of the scheduled times # Rendezvous
by the P<*sl Group was made essentially as planned prior to the time the
force made landfall on the French coast •
(2) The bombers encountered no enemy aircraft and the

fighters reported sighting only a single Ivle-IQ9. Anti-aircraft defenses

at Toulon, Marseille and Sete rrore observed in.action but all fire was out,

of range.

c. Target Area*
(1) Weather at Boziors was excellent for visual bombing with
i
nil to 2/10 -cumulus reported but units of the Fifteenth Air Force had
attacked the marshalling yards as a target of opportunity approximately 10
minutes before and the target was largely obscured by smoke. Time of attack
by the low Group was essentially as planned but the lead and high Groups
made second bombing runs and released somewhat later than scheduled* Bombing
V

altitudes were between 19,AOOamm%0$mKJfejrf±ror8.£t attacked the

primary target, the 70 B*-17*s propping 1?" 'mMmU Ninety-^three B-Ws
of the Fifteenth Air Force dropped 183.0 tons HE.
(2) Strike photographs, of the Eighth Air Force bombers
were smoke obscured and bursts could not bo seen but were plotted in the
target area* Reconnaissance photographs indicate that the target sustained
considerable damage. One large locomotive depot was seriously affected
and another suffered slight damage. Two adjacent sheds were destroyed. &
five-bay wagon workshop was seriously affected and two single-bay shops
destroyed* Of five small buildings in this area, three were severely and
two moderately damaged. Tito goods depots were affected and two hits were
made in the transformer yard. Approximately 200 craters were visible in the
sorting and storage sidings, j tracks were disrupted throughout the marshal­
ling yards and numerous wagons were derailed and damaged. Adjacent indus­
trial property was slightly damaged.
(3) In addition to the accompanying P-51 Group, the two
P^-51 Groups from England arrived on schedule to furnish additional support
in the target area. Neither bombers nor fighters encountered enemy air­
craft • Meagor but accurate anti-aircraft fire was roceived from the Beziers

• defenses.

course to
d # Withdrawal.
(1) There were no important deviations from the planned
England but the Oorabat Wing made landfall at Beachy Head approxi­
mately 30 minutes behind schedule as a result of the additional time in­
volved in making second bombing runs and reforming.
(Z) Fighter cover to England was executed according to
plan. The p«*sl Groups continued escort for awhile after the two ?~/fl .
Groups covering tho final stage of the vdthdrawal effected rendezvous. One
of the latter left the bombers south of Rouen while the other continued to
mid-channel. »

(3) The bombers encountered no enemy aircraft or effective

• anti-aircraft fire and the p?*sl Group returning from Italy also continued
to home bases without incident. Both of the other P-51 Groups and the two
P-4.7 Groups took part in engagements with a large number of Me -109 's and
FW-190*s in the Dreux-Evrcux area rrhich vrcro apparently forming for attacks
on Allied bcachhoad positions. Claims re suiting from aerial combat were
19 destroyed, 1probably destroyed and 8 damaged. Two P*4-7 !s were lost in
the engagement.

c. Losses.
(1) None of the Eighth Air Force aircraft dispatched from
Italy sustained any losses* Of tho 70 bombers dispatched, all completed
the operation « Eight of tho 50 fighters dispatched were forced to return
to Italy5 4-2 landed safely in England.

(2) Supporting fighters based in England lost one P-4-7

to accident and one P-51 to unknovm causes in addition to the two f^Jf7t s
lost in combat with enemy aircraft.
OVERAIX SUMMARY QF LOSSES
** BCMBERS,

a. Of 14.7 B-17*s dispatched from Sngland on the first phase of

the operation, 144- aircraft landed at Russian bases. Two aircraft abandoned
the mission and returned to England as a result of mechanical failure and
one aircraft was lost to enemy action. « Forty*scvcn 8*47 f s were destroyed
in the bomb or attack on Poltava by enemy aircraft. Twenty-five "others sus­
 t
I

tamed such damage en*WHH^pm|j J^wjr mii^wm -

51^8 0^ that they were

non-operational when the task forc^oWpaWecj Jprltfaly on 26 June* Of 72
B-17's dispatched on this date, 71 landed at fSrSnth Air Force bases,
one having abandoned the mission end returned to Russia* No aircraft were
lost on the mission to Arad which was executed from Italian bases. Only
one B-17 was non-operational when the force left Italy and the 70 aircraft
dispatched returned to England without loss. Of the 27 B-17*s which failed
to return with the task force, 20 were eventually dispatched to England,
Eighteen of these arrived safely, one crashed in Teheran and another in
England en route.
2, FIGHTERS.
a, Of the 70 P-51*s which were dispatched from England, 64
landed in Russia. Five aircraft abandoned the mission and returned to home
base and one v/as lost to enemy action en route. Oft© fighter was destroyed
on the ground in Russia and six were lost on the operation in support of the
Fifteenth Air Force on 2 July. Forty^two P-5Us returned to England with
the bombers, 10 returned the following day and one other eventually arrived
in England.

• For the Commanding Generals

WSEfISR Bf TODl},
Brig. Gen., USA,

Dep. c/s for Operations.

- 9

-
•

ft

 HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH- IZR^fflEn *\u25a0$

INTERPRETATION REPORT tKa. 2224.

- RUHLAND
(SAY 333/4.71-7) Shows the first concentration of bursts on the plant.

INTERPRETATION REPORT NO* K-2604 ~ RUHLAffP

\u25a0h

I.2?A.?AJJQ&PILA oyi9JL
This report covers all damage to this target from 1730 B hours on

23 May 1944 to 1300 3 hours on 7 July 1944 and includes the attack by

ircraft of U.S. Eighth Air Force on 21 June 1944..

Previous Reports

Immediate Interpretation Report J-To • >2266 dated 29 May 1944* Inter­

T

pretation Report No, K-2266 dated 5 Juno 1944* Immediate Interpretation

•
Report No, K~2j04 dated

j3tn tcincnt
30 June 1944*

There ir; extensive damage in all parts of the plant including the Re­
finery. Ijver7 import^nb unit has ';0..:-i nit \/ith severe damage to gas
generators, contact ovens, and grr.:holdors» In -ddition the goc puri­
fic-tion facilities m& the po:;er plant hrve suffered a,dditional daraa.ge.
Four of the five distillation unite in the refinery have been damaged,
none severely; and loading facilities, oil storage, -nd shops have been
hit* In addition, offices and storage facilities have suffered serious
n;A7 damage and steam pipes and rail-Try;;; have been disrupted throughout
the; plant,

Effect of Damage on Production

Notes supplied b" »D l Section (No. D 226 (r).

r

The v/orks shoTis practically no evidence of activs.ty other than for re­
pairs md it s cms that no production is taking place. Most of the
damage is still unre paired , and no significant amount of production is to
be expected before the and of the month.

Repairs -to the contact oven house have made a. little progress, but there
is no trace of productive activity of these or in the refinery.

DETAILS OF D/.11'..GE
(Numbers refer to accompanying Illustration l(a)(iii) 29/5.)
No. Na Condition rv> of Condition on
7 July 1944,
1. WiiTCcrshall-Schmal- Undrjna.«ed Conveyor damaged
fold Gas Plant
Unidentified structure Almost completely
(S. of No, 1) Undamaged
Uii' destroyed

Workchop Uhdana^ed Destroyed

(S. of No. 1)

- - 1

 X-2604. •*" '*"*'

/-f~.. r* '*"*"-.

No. Maiiic bw \u25a0

v» s Coij^tiqnac&j ja£ |[j$Goixiition on

2 onrll shod c a Undone, £cd 1 destroyed, 1 damn god.

2. Southern YJatcr Slight roof Complete roof de­

dr.i:«?.gc • Sono
Gas Plant.
repair . stroyed from
type of generator,
Convertor houpo licrj
uT-cnovm

r, GLir.ll section of
roof dentroye-d.
Kopper s generators
hrve herv^; roof
\u25a0\u25a0•;ith
pipes
dnr-ia^c
c d t\ /isted •
ass cribli
Chinnoy hr.s top lialf
destroyed. Steam pipes
.
dovrn in sections of the
plant

2 gasholders Tlnd-riningccL Destroyed v.dth

•
(S. of No, 2)

2 Gasholders
(N. of No. 2)
Severely damaged..
Gi'iv.ll building beside
then dana^cd.
Completely destroyed.

Cooling Toilers Unto-i^orl. h cooling tov/crs

(E. of No, 2) destroyed • Pump house
destroyed, 3 small
buildings beside
towers destroyed.
Conveyor
(E. of No. 2)
\u25a0ITndr.ma god . Convoyor drma. ged •
6 smrll storage
buildings de stroyed «
1 small storage

building heavily
damaged.

2 small sheds 1 sited one -half Both sheds destroyed,

(7/. of No. 2) destroyed.

3. Northern Water Gas 1 Generator oho'./s Generator still

Plrnt. roof dauagc. driiirgcd, convertor
house severely dniaged.
Steam pipe;s drnaged
at one plrcc.
2 gasholders 1 Severely damaged .No change.
(S.W. of Fo. 3). 1 repaired •

2 snnll buildings Undrnr.gcd 1 corner damaged on

(S.W, of No. 3) crch md steaxi pipes
nef-rby damrgod.

2 cooling tov/crs p.i.iq Undrinrgod. Both damaged moderate­

Pump House ly" to severely, pump
(E."of i;o. 3). house severely demaged.
Small building nearby
destroyed.

Briquette unloading 1.0 ckmri go • Damn go at one end.

shed (E. of No. 3)'
*t p

si

 K-2604
No • Name J (Mfc4jfen on
H.£m..33M !LJh£sll2&L
4.. Low Pressure Contact 2 cases of roof Heavy roof damage
Oven House damage repaired, approximately 1/3
1 unrepaired, of roof destroyed.

5* Medium Pressure Oven Repairs in progress large section of

House « to ovens and crane. ovens repaired*
l/5of ovens damaged. New damage of
varying erbent
to approximately
l/3of ovens.
Remaining 2/3
of crane roof now
destroyed.

Stripping Plant Cooling tower for Cooling tower

(W. of Ho. 5) cont; ot ovens damaged, for contact ovens
building destroyed, under repair,
•ban 1.: damaged. building partial­

.
ly rebuilt, tank

•
Works! iop

(S-W. of l-o. 5)

Undamaged •
repaired
sized

2/3 of roof destroyed,

hecvy damage to
Medium
building
severely damaged.

storage cylinders
and pipe assembly
next to shop.
,
.
Gas Washing Facilities
(S~Y T of No, 5)
Undrjnr.^cd* Building de stroyed
storage cylinder©
and pipe' assembly
damaged.

Workshop
UndCiM1ged • l/3destroyed.

(H-E. of !!o. 5)

2 Email buildings
(E. of Ho. 5)
Un&ruiic.;^cd -

1 destroyed,
1 1/2 destroyed.

6. Pipe Assembly UncV'-rr Heavy damage from

a direct hit.
o Gas Purification UncUunafjod 2 small sheds destroyed
Plant damage to structure
between organic sulphur
removal columns •
Workshop and Shod

(N-Eo of No. 9)

Wing of shop
clostroved Shod
da.ma.god ,
. No change.

10. Gas Purification. Old damage re- Blo\;er house roof

paired on blower 2/3 gone,

house.

11.
Plant .
Gas Purification 1 damaged tank
repaired.
Damage to structure
between the H2S removal
to\;crs •
rent

'"™"< *
rrr*

V- *«aiS
yiii'Ittt
 K-2604
No. Name
_ C')ji'"J.t" "i nc >£ Condition on
7 Jiilx.23l^
JuJLluPiLfc'ii^tiij IIIJ
12. Catalyst Plant 1 email shod Shed •
unrepaired
partially Large settling tank
dostroyxl lias l/?. of cover
destroyed.

Warehouse Area 3 dr.:aasod Cleared building

-
(H. of Uo. 12) buildings,
1 repaired,
-
rebuilt. Damaged
building re >n.± r M

1 elocrcd* 3 large yrarohousos

destroyed 9 2 l;.rge
warehouses l/2de­
stroyed, 1 damaged
at end*

13 • Oil Refinery 1 building 3 unidentified build­

(office block) destroyed, 1 ings destroyed,' 2 office
-'k rtially dc- building heavily
ntroyed, and dr::ir.£ocl, and 3

• 1 sm ?ll
ing

paired
c build-
d^nc^cd.
small dnnafjed
buil'lin^ re-
•
1
slightly damaged. 1
destroyed building
rebuilt, end a
damaged building re­
Dcired,

1-4 • Oil Refinery ITo dcmrr-'o 1unit of tube stills

(Distillation Plant) severely damaged, 2
control buildings 4
dam god, and 1bank of
run-dovm tanks dr.maged
heavily. 1 unidenti­
fied building damaged
at one corner.

15. Oil Refinery ?^o dam re • 1 unit of tube still

•
severely damoged, 1
control building heavi­
ly damo.ged, r-nd one

l/4
.
bank of run-tlo\m tanlns
demaged 1 i/orkahop
destroyed. Blast
vjnll destroyed by
a small building
16, Oil Store go r'o cl' i'ar. \u25a0:• o • Largo reetuxingiilar

.
tank sorious roof
drir-ir ge Houso has
end damaged, unidonti-­
fied building lias corner
:cnockcd off, loading
slicd 2/3 destroyed,
and 1/2 blast wall
around a large tank
destroyed •

17. Primary Products Ho dcmat;c. Cornor of blast Trail

Storage around one tank
destroyed «

T\ Active Carbon Plant 3 email build- 3 small buildings not

ings damaged. repaired. Hole in roof
of small building. Resi­
due! gasholder severely
/ l| y_ kj| damaged, 4 cooling
!

l! f j«,
' t;
r \u25a0 '•
ys|
i
mU h"' 1 Il^owors £"or contact
5

IbbiW ovens r/ith dnmagc at

%^KKfttm one end, and small
/
building T/itli 1/4
of
roof destroyed.
 K-260/ f
?0* Name • Condition as of Condition on
13 Jim'- 1944 1 July I%',
7 MxA%L

• .
Oil Storage
(ll-rT ox No. Vis)
:':-Jo ilanr.Q'c. Blast rail approxi­
mately l/5destroyed,
notroloum drums
scattered •
Railwry Repair Largo hole in llcr.Tj dnmagc T/ith
Shop (N. of No. 10) roof repaired* 3./3 of roof gone.

17ar oliouno r,rca 1 building 1 at orage -type

(¥. of No. l?i) destroyed, 2 building destroyed,
buildings partial- 1 storngc-typc build­
ly ropaii'cd, ins l/2dorjtroyodj 1
stor-;- 3;e«*ty-no building
70% dorjtroyed, uni­
de ntified building
i;ith hole in roof,
storage shod "dth end

•
destroyed.

"!Q
toiler Jiouso 1 cr-'jHt.. of sliglit 1Ifrgo Tdng severely
roof d' •lago v/itli damaged. Hole in roof
tvo r;p'O"6s re- of other i/ing. Roof
r '.2XCO.r
r'.2XC0. of conveyor dejnagod
md choc! u.^mr^od*

Cooling To\jurs
Pniiro-ioufjo (S"E
mo. fjvvj-l cool-ing l/3o:C rooi' of
o:" toiA,r retired, piin;oho>.iGo docorovod,
19) rc/'airfj imilor 2 lr.rr;o cooling tov/crE
yry on Ti'iTohousc , covertly drmgod.

Office Building
(S-E of No. 19)
io dcLir <"\u25a0
1/3 dor^rojod

Briquette Unloading No di!':ia; o ;

1/5 of roof destroyed.
Shod (S. of No. 19)'

IMILAND SIuNTI^riC OIL PUNT

» 21 Juno, 1944­
NumlDer of i^irorrft Attacking: 123
Tone: of Bonbc Dropped: 200*7 H,E«
26.3 1.8.
RUHLAND Synthetic Oil Plant

REPRODUCED BY 942ND ENGR AVN TOPO BN

Scale 1:6,000 -—-*•-

(approx) ULULiiyUUtfILII
*"**•* 4f-^i-r» including
New domoQe

WOIW tlune 1944 th® accocrparsdng report (K-2604) •

RUHLAND Synthetic Oil Plant

g L -, ; \u25a0;, , Kfßoouceo ar 94em cngr »n topo bn

Scale 1:6,000 (approx)

New damage including
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT attock of 25 Auq 1944 \u25a0\u25a0
Report K3062 Previous Domoqe BH
: Cover 25 Auq 1944 Reconstruction ESSS3
 :-•

'^

*
1

-s
•,

&
.< \
\u25a0
l!

H
:­
r^i
 HEADQUARTERS El(f%#S]^ if©XC© ~>
apo Mr h \ <

Interpretation Report S»A. 2262

(390/4 m Shuttle 2v5) Shows two explosions and smoke from earlier bursts
as well as the probable airfield under construction northwest of the target
area.

J^ST£r?^^l9J±, i^2S^.Ji£^i^liJ^2.
There is a good concentration of craters on the target. Heavy damage or

ble repair shops severely dam: 1 ged

tained a hit on the south end (in
.
destruction of installations includes (in 1.1/l) 9 Roundhouse, and two possi­
The main passenger station has sus­
refinery), destruction of 15 largo (prob­
ably crude oil and petrol) storage tonl:s, and five smaller ones. There is
severe damage to a probable Wa;;c Treating Plant, slight damage to one of
the distillation units.

1. Slight damage to end of distillation unit.

r 2% Severe damage to two buildings or probable VTax Trer;ting Plant and to

two other buildings in that tire?:, possibly storage for finished pro­
ducts.

3« Possible blast d^iiago to boiler house, end a snail shod on its west
side has been gutted.
Lm . Slight damage to northeast corner crude oil plant.
5» Severe damage to two unidentified buildings orst of distillations
units.
6» Damrtgod find destroyed storage ta: ,i

7. Destruction of uar chouse.

» 1 om Severe dfimagG to roundhouse •

9. Destruction of two probable c^r 'spair cho;^s.

10, Heavy dr-mege to both ends of: riain jx'issender station.

11• Severe damage to unidentified buildings.
12* Rail sidings on r/ost siuo of Oil Refinery have been cut in at least
four places and are not service bio.

13 • Ti'o of main line traehc out near station.

;

OIL PuEPIM.RY AT DROHOBEZ, POLAND

26 JUKE, 1944
Nuiiibor of Aircraft Attacking: 71
Tons of Bombs Dropped? 139*6 H.l].

\u25a0 « mE3 inHjj?

 KEADQTFAIt!

INTERPRETATION IMPORT HO. D.3. 129

ARAD M/I and CAR IffiPAIR SHOPS

The M/Y hf-U been heavily hit, all through lines and goods siiings are
blocked. Car Repair Shops have been heavily damaged, the probable
power plant being destroyed, a largo shop destroyed and two others
wrcc'ioci

West of the :..i/l the extonnive ASTRA KNGI/T2EPJNG "IORKS has been almost
devf?.stc ';qC,

!• All through trveks bloci'.od. A "Irr^e concentration of craters has

cut all tracJcs in the nortJi or of the -i/Y blockin;:; the extensive
dead-ended appears possible
eidln^c vroct o:?C the main I\l/*f. It o.ppears
for BATTnN:a-SZOL!;[OK/GRADEA t: fxic to by-pas e tho u/l by slanting.

2, Tracks are tr-;cin cut nor.r t-.\o o-oonth noc': and intozTAittentl;/ through-
t out the main jvl/3 md r.;idi".' :;:;\u2666 ,Approrrim.'.: toly %) pieces of mixed
r
1

rolling stock have been der.:troy< dor dt'FiE^Gd. Some craters are
beinrj filled.

3« Oar Repair Shop horvily d \u25a0uvja^ed Lr.ck of dotcile :. idontification

hampers full assosaiiont bub one of the 1. r(jcst of the shops has
o,
been destroyed, two others only slightly- smaller h:ve been con­
sidorcbl^* ijrocked* Probable po^--..;r piano dcstro3 !"ed and probable
foundr^r half destroyed, Otho?: 'bui3.dir.igG lirvc sustained minor fire
1

and blast drmr;;e.

A. Station building damaged at orcli ( nd by di^-ct hits.

In the goods sidings o tronchiyji'iont q]\o6. hr.r; beau dootroTOd ;

one tlilrd destroyed and approzino.tul" 15 en^llor R.Pu buildings of
various ty~)oc and Eiat;n have boon dm- "^od, aone hecvily.
i
6.
6. In c. bcirr::C':s aroa ..'cot of tho Go ode Sidings a l^r^o barracks has
been almoct de^'broyed and there .".re 12 other points of very hevvy
damrge as a result of direct hits on similar units. There is cloo
"iri.de spree d blast d^Tiago.

o. Machine shop except three lateral veils f destroyed.

o.

9- Possible forge ? dova stated.

9-
10, Por/or plant dcunaged by
10, blasts
11. Large unidentified shop one-half wrecked •
12, Medium multi-bay shop f-jattoil and further damaged.

13. Over 4-0 acres of adjoining shop buildings, including assembly

and paint shop destroyed. Only portions of ualls and some damaged
roofing remain*

14- • Eastern corner of plant devf sU iwl, including; ntinorous small uni­
dcntificd buildincjTjj.
lh jL(sp^^' rj-^ p fo.u:idi\/ almost destroyed, medium
(

and small shop buiflblg.

-
1 *.
 X

H
 *
D,li» 129
fIBHHHF U^Blj^sl't^^^^
15. Woodwor 1 : shop heavily drmr :;od .- :ad ;-.;boc?: pilou in timber ynrd
ncattorr.d by direct liita#
> 16. There is hoo/vy ckunr^c in the toy.1:), rioi-ibn ;nd :>oot of tiic \u25a0yY.

MARSIiALLING YARDS AT ARAD, RDIMANIA

3 July, 1944
?Jmnber of Eighth' Air Force Aircraft Attacking: 5^

Tons of Bombfj Dropped by Eiglrbh Air Forces 145.5 H«E»

Uiiiiber of Fifteenth Air Force Aircraft Attacking: 44­

Tonfj of Bombs Dropped by Fifteenth Air Force; 122.5 H#E»
 IiEADQUARTEIIS EIGHTH AIR FORCE

P^roy igi
onal £tat cmo-nt _ i^/^^Drunri^G
The target hrs been affected principally in the central rind eastern
portions involving v/agon and locomotive repair facilities, a. prob- bio
transformer station, extensive disruption of tracks, rolling stock, and
probable injury to the catenary system covering the yard*

A 75 foot crater in the wagon aiding area indicates a probable secondary

explosion* A flyover, carrying the line northward to MIL-LAU, ie one-
half destroyed and there are several Jj.ity on the curved embankment to
the north.
Two unidentified industrial establish] .icnts on the north and south edges
oi' the or at half of the yard have ben moderately injured and scattered
busineos/roaidontial damage is seun on the eastern edge of the torn
lying northv/ost of the yard*

\ Details of damage are as follows:

Locomotive and Repair Faci].ities

Locomotive Depot
-
large shop vith one -fourth roof s oripped v;ith several
snail -holos clruj-jhoro. Another larger shop liao slight roof damage to
east wing and. a gutted lca.n«to on th northuest corner. Long died to
the cast destroyed*
'
agon Workshops - Roof half striked
on five bay shop* Of tvo single
bay chops adjacent, one ie gutter! and one donolisbod • Of five .small
buildings in the area, throe are severely damaged ml t- o moderately f

damaged •
Termi_na_l _JV-,.. cilit
Ie s
West Goods Depot
- Slight roof damage to centra], portion of warehouse*
\
East Goods Depot- Roof of warehouse

Probable Transformer Stri/.on

- aliioyt entirely dcotro^d*

Ti:o. hits in t:aannformer yard, slight

druv gc to adjacent building.

Ma£s^allin^ Jy£s&
Eastern sorting sidings
-
at lea;..t 60 crater;: are visible in the un­
obscured >.:c;st portion of the sidings, md an explosion of undetermined
origin ±i seen to hr.vo occurred bot-.;eon the or st goodo depot and the
wagon ahopo.

West enrri-go and storage sidings approxD-Jiiatcly oO craters are seen.

-
Throu^^RujinjL^
Millau one-half of flyover destroyed. Ten hits on emban'xient within

-
and north of yard.

Scte
iforbonne
-
obscured by cloud*
no damage*

-
1 -
 '*""*? "^~^v

K-2668 JfIPHPHM^ -i—

_ 'sw t-i l_i y jjga fe&

ETi^J^X-jyi^llt
Ji£-Jlr \u25a0•££££.
%
Large Industrie !estcblishmont on southwest edge of yard. Roof lights
1

out, scattered roof damage, Two buildings partly destroyed.

>
Medium nulti-br.y v/orkshop type Imilding rt north central edge of yard.
Roof stripped, como structural drru-vje.

Thirteen snail storage "banks on soutlTtfcrjt edge of jT.rd» Direct hit lies
destroyed several tanks and toppled reuaindor. Snir.ll buildings destroyed
and trio adjacent buildings danagud.

™
3EZIERS MARffIALLINGI/ißD^| pm/ F ?*"?*•< Jl W*m*
5 jtjli, 194 A VLUlßiftau^jiJij iLU
iluinbor of Eighth Air Force .'.ircr-'ft Attacking: 70.

Tons of Bombs Dropped by Eighth Air Force: 173.0 H.E.

Number of Fiftecntli ;.ir Force Attacking: 93*

Tons of Bombs Dropped o:; Fifteenth Air Force: 103.0 H,E«

2
 HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE
APO 634

DIRECT \u2666 LENGTH

GROUP OF RUN OF RUN ALTITUDE RELEASE AFCE BOMBS RANGE ON LDE.

ENGLAND TO RUSSIA, 21 JUNE, 1944 (EIGHTH AIR FORCE OPERATION NO. 428)
,
TARGET: OIL REFINERY RUHLAND, GERMANY
388 A 063 9 Mm, 19,950 1030 % 136x500 HE 1 16
96A 060 2 Mm. 21,080 1030 X 157x500 HE 1 19
95A 076 2 Mm« 19,995 1035 X 84x500 HE 1 11

390 A 039 8 Mm. 21,100 1036 X 96x500 HE .1 11

m 3908 050 9 Mm, 18,950 ,1038 X 112x500 HE 1 13

100 A 054 6 Mm* 20,000 1039 X 104*500 HE 1 12

1008 053 9 Mm. 20,500 1040 X 104x500 HE 1 12
i
452 CComp. 060 10 Mm, 19,200 1042 X 527x100 IB 1 12

BtSTBRRBRDA (TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY)

452 A 040 3 Mm. 19,000 1028 X 82&&00 IB 1 19
6x500 HE
- -
• 390
RUSSIA

240
TO ITALY

13 Mm.
­ I

26 JUNE, 1944

21,200
TARGET
OIL REFINERY

1606 X
DROHOBEZ, POLAND

439x250 HE 1 26
95 Comp. 242 10 Mm* 21,650 1606 X 368x250 HE 1 22

100 241
241 3 Mm. 20,300 1607 X 272x250 HE 1 16

OPERATION FROM BASES INITALY 3 JULY, 1944

RGUMANIA <- MARSHALLING YARDS
- - TARGET ARAD
100 188 5 Mm. 22,000 1210 X 192x500 HE 1 18
' 6 Mm, 16
390 193 23,700 1212 X 170x500 ffl 1

95 Corap. 181 6 Mm. 21,580 1213 X 220x500 HE 1 18

ITALY TO ENGLAND <*

5 JULY, 1944
-
TARGET BEZIERS, FRANCE
MARSHALLING lARDS
100 241 7 Mm. 19,400 1331 X 80x1000 HE 1 16

95 Comp. 184 1Mm. 20,470 1341 X 242x500 HE 1 26

390 162 5 Mm.

 HEADQUARTERS EIGIfg >: FORCE
apo 63P \ ;
: n

4 $R7 [i­

!^ \u25a0>^ i

21 JUNE
-
SHUTTLE BOMBING MISSION

5 JULY, 19>

SUMMER! OF OPERATIONS

EHGL/^ID TO RUSSIA
- 21 JIME, 1944
(EIGHTH AIR FORCE OPERATION NO. 428)

-
• Nimber A/C Dispatched
TARGET OIL REFINERY
RUHLAIO,

147
GERMANY

Number Sorties U6
Attack, pri. •123
Attack, T.O. (Elsten7erda) 21
Attack. T.O, (Rissa) 1

Bombs on Target

Pri. (HE)

T»0. (Elsterwerda)

• T.O. (Rissa)

Number A/C Lost

AA and E/A
Casualties
M.I.A.
E/A Encounters
Destroyed

Prob,

 HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE

APO 634
«£$
-

SHUTTLE BOMBING MISSION

21 JUNE 5 JULY, 1944.

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

RUSSIA TO ITALY
- 26 JUNE, 1944

TARGET
­ OIL REFINERY
DROHOBEZ^ POLAND

•
 /

HE/iDQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE

APQ 634

a juiffi
-
5 JULY. 19U

i
StiaiAßl OF OPER/.TIONS

OPEMTIOH FRdl BASES IN ITALY

- 3 JULY, 1944

TARGET
- MARSHALLING YARDS
ARAD, ROUMAKIA

* Numbed A/C Dispatched

Number Sorties

Attack. Pri.
Bombs on Target

Pri. (HE)

Number A/c Lost

#
 HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR
'
FORCE
APO 634

SHUTTLE BOtBIKG M3||f|^J iLtfj^

21 JIOTS >» 5 JULY. 19U

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

ITALY TO ENGLAND
- 5 JULY, 1944

TARGET
- MARSHALLING YARDS
BEZIERS. FRANCE

Number A/C Dispatched

# Number Sorties
Attack* Pri.
Bombs on Target
Pri. (HE)
Number a/g Lost

Casualties
e/A Encounters

#
 HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR EQBCiEL .
apo 634. .\u25a0• pi.; ;
'
_ "
___ -_

21 JUNE
-
SHUTTLE BOMBING MISSION
5 JULY, 1944­
\

STATISTICAL SUMMARY QF FIGHTER OPERATIONS

Support by 4-th Fighter Group (3 Squadrons) and 352nd Fighter

Group (1 Squadron)

P-51 !s Accompanying Bombers

SOR­ CQMPLETED X.or
DISP. TIES MISSION
ISSION LOSSES'
ENGLAI© TO RUSSIA
- CAT 4 "E11 OTHERS
21 JUHE (CLOSE ESCORT)
CMIMS MIA It©*

m 70 65 65 1

-
0 2 6-0-3 1 0

RUSSIA TO ITALY 26 JUNE (CLOSE ESCORT)

56 56 55 0 0 0 0-0-0 0 0

RUSSIA TO ITALY * 29 JUNE (JOINING GROUP)

5 5 5 0 1 0 0-0-0 0 0

MISSIONS FROM BASES-IN ITALY

-
2 JULY (Free Lance Sweep)

45 a % 6 0

# i
CLOSE ESCORT
- 3 "JULY

39 38 31 0 0

ITALY TO ENGLAND
- 5 JULY (CLOSE ESCORT)

50 4B 45 0 0

ITALY TO EiJGLAM)
- 6 JULY (JOINING GROUP)
10 10 10 0 0 0 0-0-0 0 0

/
 HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE

APO 634

'
SHUTTLE BOMBING MISSION ti jf*[j'
21 June
-
5 JULY, 194/.

STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF FIGHTER OPERATIONS

SUPPORT BY FIGHTER GROUPS BASH) IN ENGLAND

COMP. X.OR
GROUP TYPE DISP. SOR.

Penetration
MISSION LOSSES

and Target Support

-
CAT.»E» OTHERS

21 June*

CLAIMS MIA WND.

56A P-47 36 33 33 0 0

m 568
355
P-47
P-51
37
54
36
46
36
45
1

0
0

Total 127 115 114 1 0

Target and Withdrawal Support

- 5 July**

56 P-47 48 44 uu i 0

78 P-47 43 46 4-5 0

355 P-51 54 49 4-9 1 0

357 P-51 54 51 50 0 0

» Total 204 190 188 4 0

* Eighth Air Force Operation Ho, 428«

** Eightli Air Force Operation

No. 453.

# Includes one enemy aircraft destroyed on ground.

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