COMBAT CHRONOLOGY
US ARMY AIR FORCES
MEDITERRANEAN - 1944, PART 2

JULY 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

SATURDAY, 1 JULY 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, light and medium bombers hit
fuel dumps, rail bridges, viaducts, and docks in NC Italy; fighter- bombers
concentrate on road and rail bridges behind the battle area, destroy several
fighters in combat over Reggio Emilia Airfield, and hit guns S of Carsoli; and
a detachment of the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic
Group (Reconnaissance), begins operating from Follonica with F-5s. During Jul,
the detachments of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 63d Fighter Wing,
operating from Ghisonaccia and Borgo, Corsica with Beaufighters, return to base
at Alghero, Sardinia.

SUNDAY, 2 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force):
   41 P-51s, temporarily in Italy while en route from the USSR to the UK during
a shuttle mission, join Fifteenth Air Force fighters in escorting Fifteenth AF
bombers against targets in the Budapest, Hungary area, claiming 9 aircraft
destroyed and suffering 4 losses.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   620+ bombers hit targets in Hungary and Yugoslavia; B-24s attack 2
marshalling yards, an airfield, and 2 oil refineries at Budapest, Hungary;
B-17s bomb an industrial area at Gyor and a railroad bridge at Szolnok, Hungary
and marshalling yards at Brod and Vinkovci, Yugoslavia; fighters sweep over the
Budapest area; bombers and fighters claim 50+ fighters shot down; 14 US
aircraft are shot down and as many more are missing.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium and light bombers continue to pound enemy communication
lines N of the battle area (mainly along and N of the Pisa-Florence line) and
hit several fuel dumps with good results; fighter-bombers are active against
motor transport and bridges immediately N of the battleline; and 111th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from Voltone to
Follonica with F-6s.

MONDAY, 3 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force):
   55 B-17s in Italy on the USSR shuttle mission join Fifteenth AF bombers in
bombing marshalling yards at Arad, Rumania; 38 P-51s of the VIII Fighter
Command, also on the shuttle run, fly escort on the mission.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   600+ B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Rumania and Yugoslavia including oil
storage, oil refinery, and locomotive works at Bucharest, oil storage at
Giurgiu, railroad targets at Turnu-Severin, a bridge at Piatra, marshalling
yards at Arad and Timisoara, a bridge at Szeged, and oil storage at Belgrade;
fighters fly 250+ sorties in support of the missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-26s and A-20s pound enemy fuel dumps while B-25s hit bridges,
tunnels, and viaducts at Pietrasanta, Canneto sull'Oglio and Saviano, and fuel
storage tanks in the Pontelagoscuro area; fighter-bombers blast motor transport
and bridges in the battle area as the US Fifth Army begins a drive on Leghorn;
vehicle park, ammunition dump, and a barge are also hit.

TUESDAY, 4 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 250+ bombers attack targets in
Rumania; B-24s bomb a bridge and railroad repair works at Pitesti and B-17s
bomb an oil refinery at Brasov; 350+ fighters escort the bombers and carry out
sweeps in the target area; claims of enemy fighters destroyed total 17; 1
fighter group strafes 2 landing grounds and a troop train in Yugoslavia on the
return trip to base.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather cancels light and
medium bomber operations; fighter-bomber operations are greatly reduced but
attacks are made on bridges, rail lines, roads, and guns in and N of the battle
area as US Fifth Army elements clear parts of Rosignano, overrun Mount Vitalba
and area to its E, and push into Casole d'Elsa; and the 522d, 523d and 524th
Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, move from Ciampino to Voltone with
P-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 5 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force):
   70 B-17s on shuttle mission (UK-USSR-Italy-UK) attack a marshalling yard at
Beziers, France (with Fifteenth AF B-24s) while on the last leg from Italy to
the UK; 42 P-51s return to UK with the B-17s (of the 11 P-51s remaining in
Italy, 10 return to the UK the following day and the last several days later).

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Almost 500 bombers attack targets in France; B-17s bomb the Montpellier
marshalling yards; B-24s bomb Beziers marshalling yards and Toulon submarine
pens and harbor installations; close to 200 fighter sorties are flown in
support of the missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s bomb Villafranca di Verona marshalling yard, Aulla railroad
bridge, and Ostiglia fuel dumps while A-20s blast a supply dump and rail lines;
fighter-bombers hit tracks, bridges, roads, and other targets in the battle
area as the US Fifth Army continues fierce fighting around Rosignano.

THURSDAY, 6 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Italy, 530+ B-17s and B-24s attack the Verona marshalling yard, Bergamo
steel works, Avisio viaduct, Tagliamento-Casarsa della Delizia railroad bridge,
Aviano oil and gasoline storage, Porto Marghera oil storage, and Trieste oil
refinery; P-51s and P-38s provide escort; and the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332d
Fighter Group, moves from Orbetello to Ramitelli with P-51s.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s hit an ammunition ship at La Spezia during the night of 5/6
Jul and continue attacks on fuel supplies during the day; medium bombers again
hit communication, concentrating on bridges N of the battleline, and attack
enemy warehouses and HQ; fighter-bombers hit rail lines (with especially good
results between Viareggio and Massa Lombarda) and damage several bridges just N
of the battle area as the US Fifth Army continues clearing Rosignano and takes
Castellina Marittima and Mount Vaso.

FRIDAY, 7 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   560+ bombers attack in Germany and Yugoslavia; B-17s bomb 2 synthetic oil
plants at Blechhammer, Germany; B-24s also hit Blechhammer and a synthetic oil
and coking plant at Odertal, Germany and Zagreb, Yugoslavia Airfield and
marshalling yard; the bombers and fighter escorts claim 50+ aircraft shot down
during fierce battle with 275- 300 fighters mainly in the Vienna-Budapest area;
18 US aircraft are listed as destroyed and a larger number missing.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 6/7 Jul A-20s bomb La Spezia harbor and motor
transport in the area, and resume an attack on fuel supplies during the day;
B-26s and B-25s score direct hits on railway bridges at Reggio Emilia, and over
the Fratta River and possible hits on the Santa Maria di Mugnano bridge and 2
other bridges in the area; they also hit Collecchio fuel dump, causing many
fires and explosions; fighter-bombers attack Ferrara Airfield, the town of
Empoli, and rail lines, bridges, fuel and ammunition dumps, motor transport,
and numerous other targets in the battle area as US Fifth Army forces complete
the clearing of Rosignano; and a detachment of the 346th Fighter Squadron,
350th Fighter Group, based at Pomigliano begins operating from Piombino with
P-39s.

SATURDAY, 8 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 520+ B-17s and B-24s attack targets in the Vienna, Austria area
bombing refineries at Vosendorf and Korneuburg, the airfield at Zwolfaxing,
Markersdorf, and Munchendorf, and marshalling yard and oil storage at
Vienna/Floridsdorf, and the airfield at Veszprem; fighters fly 200+ sorties in
support of the bomber missions which are opposed by 100+ fighters; 14 US
aircraft are lost; heavy bombers and fighters claim 50+ fighters shot down.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 7/8 Jul A-20s bomb areas in or near Empoli,
Agliana, and Lucca, and hit fuel dumps the following day; medium bombers pound
marshalling yards at Novi Ligure, Piacenza, Mantua, and Ferrara and tracks near
Parma; fighter-bombers again blast railroads, roads, and bridges N of
battleline, which is advancing N from above Cecina toward Leghorn; the 17th and
35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group, move from Comiso,
Sicily to Ciampino with C-47s; and the detachment of the 416th Night Fighter
Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing [attached to 6505th Fighter Control Area
(Provisional)] moves from Tre Cancello Landing Strip to Tarquinia with
Beaufighters (squadron is based at Pomigliano).

SUNDAY, 9 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In the Fifteenth's first Pathfinder-led mission, 222 B-17s and B-24s bomb
Xenia and Concordia Vega oil refineries at Ploesti, Rumania; P-38s and P-51s
fly escort; other P-51s sweep the Ploesti area during the attacks; the bombers
and fighters claim destruction of 14 of the 40-50 opposing fighters; 6 AAF
aircraft are shot down.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather greatly curtails operations; fighter-bombers attack rail
lines between Empoli and Montelupo Fiorentino with good results; other targets
include roads, bridges and gun positions; and the 415th Night Fighter Squadron,
64th Fighter Wing (attached to 87th Fighter Wing), moves from Valtone to
Solonzara, Corsica with Beaufighters.

MONDAY, 10 JULY 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers successfully hit marshalling yards, railroad
bridges, and viaducts in NC Italy; weather restricts fighter-bombers and
fighters but several targets are hit, including airfield at Modena and
scattered gun positions, rail lines, and roads; HQ 27th Fighter Group and 522d
and 523d Fighter Squadrons move from Voltone to Serragia, Corsica with P-47s;
and HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and 16th and 18th Troop Carrier Squadrons move
from Comiso, Sicily to Ciampino with C-47s.

TUESDAY, 11 JULY 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 72d Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO (attached to Seventh Army), arrives at
Santa Maria, Italy from Oran, Algeria with L-5s (first mission is in Aug 44).

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather curtails the bomber effort; the only target attacked is the
harbor at Toulon, France, where 87 B-24s hit jetties, oil stores, a nearby
telegraph cable factory, barracks, repair shops, an adjoining marshalling yard,
and submarines in drydock.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again hampers operations; medium bombers attack a
marshalling yard at Alessandria, hit an approach to a railroad bridge at
Chiavari, and score near misses on other bridges; fighter-bombers hit an
airfield at Rimini and attack fuel dumps, rail lines, gun positions, bridges,
and targets of opportunity N of the battleline as the US Fifth Army engages in
hard fighting in the Pastina and Laiatico area; the 5th Combat Mapping
Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Viterbo to Borgo,
Corsica with F-5s; and the 526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves
from Orbetello to Poretta, Corsica with P-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   420+ B-24s attack targets in SE France, scoring numerous hits on Nimes and
Miramas marshalling yards and cutting rail lines at the Theoule-sur-Mer bridge
and Var River bridge in Provence; around 50 enemy fighters oppose the missions;
the bombers and escorting fighters claim 14 shot down; 7 AAF aircraft are lost.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s bomb scattered motor transport in the Florence-Leghorn area
during the night of 11/12 Jul; medium bombers begin Operation MALLORY MAJOR
against road and rail bridges over the Po River during the day; A-20s continue
attacking ammunition supplies; fighter-bombers hit barges and small boats on
the Arno River and attack roads, ammunition dumps, gun positions, tracks,
vehicles, and a number of other targets in that general area N of the
battleline; HQ 86th Fighter Group and the 525th and 527th Fighter Squadrons
move from Orbetello to Poretta, Corsica with P-47s; and the 86th Bombardment
Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Ombrone Airfield
to Poretta, Corsica with A-20s.

THURSDAY, 13 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   581 bombers attack targets in NE Italy; B-17s hit marshalling yards at
Mestre and railroad bridges at Latisana, Pinzano al Tagliamento and Venzone;
B-24s bomb marshalling yards at Brescia, Mantova and Verona, and oil storage at
Porto Marghera and Trieste; P-38s and P-51s fly escort; other P-51s carry out a
sweep over the Po River Valley.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers again bomb bridges in the Po River Valley; A-20s
hit an ammunition plant; and fighter-bombers attack targets, mainly railroads,
in areas N of the Arno River in advance of the battlefront. On Corsica, HQ 87th
Fighter Wing moves from Vescovato to Furiani; and the 524th Fighter Squadron,
27th Fighter Group, moves from Voltone, Italy to Serragia with P-47s.

FRIDAY, 14 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   430+ B-17s and B-24s attack 4 oil refineries at Budapest and Petfurdo,
Hungary and the marshalling yard at Mantua, Italy; P-51s and P-38s provide
escort; P-51s fly an uneventful sweep of the Budapest area; and P-38s strafe
trains N of La Spezia and dive-bomb Ghedi Airfield in Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers concentrate on Po River Valley bridges; 600 feet
(183 m) (2 center spans) of the Taglio di Po road bridge and 1 span of the
Piacenza rail bridge are destroyed, and damaging hits are scored on the Corbola
road and railroad bridges; fighter-bombers again hit gun positions and lines of
communication in and N of the battle areas while light bombers attack supplies;
HQ XII Fighter Command moves from Algiers, Algeria to Caserta; HQ 3d
Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and 23d Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron move from Viterbo and Alghero, Sardinia respectively to Borgo, Corsica
with F-5s; and the detachment of the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron,
3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Follonica to Cecina with
F-5s.

SATURDAY, 15 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Rumania, 600+ B-17s and B-24s bomb 4 oil refineries in the Ploesti area
and the Teleajenul pumping station; and P-51s and P-38s fly 300+ escort
sorties.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, the medium bomber campaign against Po River Valley bridges
(Operation MALLORY MAJOR) reaches a successful conclusion (though the
interdiction program against the bridges is subsequently continued on an
expanded scale) as most of the rail and road bridges in the target area are
destroyed or severely damaged by previous attacks and raids which struck
bridges at Bozzolo, Desenzano de Garda, Cremona, Borgoforte, Ostiglia,
Polesella, Sermide, Ferrara, Aulla, Filattiera, Ficarolo, and Chiavari and the
marshalling yard at Villafranca di Verona; fighter-bombers attack road bridges
N of the battleline and hit gun positions, roads, motor transport, and other
targets, while supporting ground forces slowly advancing N along a line
extending E from the coast below Leghorn; the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Voltone to
Follonica with F-5s (a detachment is operating from Cecina); the 84th, 85th and
97th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), move from
Ombrone Airfield to Poretta Airfield, Corsica with A-20s; and the 314th Fighter
Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, moves from Castro to Corsica with P-47s.

SUNDAY, 16 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, around 380 bombers attack oil and aircraft targets in the Vienna
area, bombing Munchendorf Airfield, Winterhafen oil depot, Vienna marshalling
yard, and Wiener Neudorf engine factory; P-51s and P-38s fly 150+ sorties in
escort while 132 other P-51s sweep the Vienna area; 100+ fighters oppose the
raids; 10 AAF aircraft are lost and several others are missing; AAF claims of
fighters shot down total 30+.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers hit bridges in the Po River Valley at Peschiera del
Garda, Mantua, Torre Beretti, Piacenza, Casale Monferrato, and Bressana
Bottarone; fighter-bombers hit railroads and a bridge just N of the battleline
as US Fifth Army forces take territory SE of Leghorn and push to within sight
of the Arno River Valley; British Eighth Army elements take Arezzo and thrust
through to the Arno River.

PROVISIONAL TROOP CARRIER DIVISION (ETO, Ninth Air Force):
   Major General Paul L Williams, Commanding General IX Troop Carrier Command,
arrives in Italy from the UK, and activates the Provisional Troop Carrier
Division which will take part in the invasion of S France.

MONDAY, 17 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In France, 162 B-24s attack a marshalling yard and railroad bridges at
Avignon and railroad bridges at Arles and Tarascon; P-51s and P-38s provide
escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers concentrate on Po River Valley bridges, hitting
road and rail bridges and viaducts at or near Alessandria, Ostiglia, Bogliasco,
Borgoforte, Moline, Imperia, Asti, Mollere, and Casale Monferrato;
fighter-bombers continue to hit targets N of the battle area, concentrating on
bridges and rail lines, while US Fifth Army elements take Luciana, and reach
the Arno River Valley, but make little progress toward Leghorn; British Eighth
Army forces pursue the enemy toward Florence.

TUESDAY, 18 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Germany, 200 B-24s and B-17s attack Memmingen Airfield and the Dornier
aircraft works at Manzell, and Casarsa della Delizia railroad bridge in Italy;
250-300 fighters oppose the formations attacking targets in Germany, beginning
the interception at the N Adriatic coast, continuing to the targets and back as
far as the Brenner Pass; 20 AAF aircraft are lost; the bombers and escorting
fighters claim 66 fighters shot down.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s bomb a road junction S of Campi and Sarzana and attack the
La Spezia area during the night of 17/18 Jul; during the day bad weather
cancels medium bomber missions; fighter-bombers, operating on a reduced scale,
hit several bridges, roads, rail lines, and other communication targets and
guns N of and in the battle area as US Fifth Army forces reach Leghorn.

PROVISIONAL TROOP CARRIER DIVISION (ETO, Ninth Air Force):
   The following squadrons, based in England, begin operating from bases in
Italy with C-47s:
   - 91st, 92d and 94th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 439th Troop Carrier Group,
based at Upottery operating from Orbetello Airfield.
   - 95th, 96th and 97th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 440th Troop Carrier Group,
based at Exeter operating from Ombrone Airfield.
   - 99th, 100th and 302d Troop Carrier Squadrons, 441st Troop Carrier Group,
based at Merryfield operating from Grosseto.
   - 303d, 304th and 305th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 442d Troop Carrier Group,
based at Weston Zoyland operating from Follonica.

WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Germany, 400+ B-17s and B-24s bomb an ordnance depot, an aircraft
factory, a motor works, and an airfield in the Munich area; P-51s and P-38s fly
300+ sorties in support; enemy fighter opposition is weak but flak is heavy and
accurate; 16 AAF aircraft are shot down and several are missing.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again restricts medium bomber operations, but in the late
afternoon B-26s hit bridges at Piacenza and Ostiglia; B-25s bomb a bridge at
Sassuolo; fighter-bombers are limited to a few railroad targets as the US Fifth
Army takes Leghorn and moves N; HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from Orbetello to
Santa Maria di Capua; and HQ Fighter Group and the 315th and 316th Fighter
Squadrons move from Montalto di Castro to Corsica with P-47s. The 347th Fighter
Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves from Corsica to Sardinia with P-39s.

PROVISIONAL TROOP CARRIER DIVISION (ETO, Ninth Air Force):
   The 83d, 84th, 85th and 86th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 437th Troop Carrier
Group, based at Ramsbury, England begin operating from Montala Airfield, Italy
with C-47s.

THURSDAY, 20 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Around 450 B-17s and B-24s bomb targets in Germany; B-17s attack the
airfield at Memmingen; B-24s bomb the airfield, Zeppelin works, and aircraft
factory at Friedrichshafen; P-38s and P-51s provide escort and, with the
bombers, claim 19 aircraft shot down.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   The XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command is disbanded in Algeria.
   In Italy, medium bombers continue to pound Po River Valley bridges in or
near Ostiglia, Parma, Mantua, Ferrara, and Alessandria; fighter-bombers again
hit targets N of the battle area, concentrating on rail lines and destroying or
damaging a large number of railroad cars as US Fifth Army forces push to a
point SE of Pisa.

PROVISIONAL TROOP CARRIER DIVISION (ETO, Ninth Air Force):
   The following units based in England begin operating from Italy with C-47s:
   - 75th, 76th and 78th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 435th Troop Carrier Group,
based at Welford Pard operating from Tarquinia.
   - 79th, 80th, 81st and 82d Troop Carrier Squadrons, 436th Troop Carrier
Group, based at Membury operating from Voltone Airfield.
   - 87th, 88th and 89th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 438th Troop Carrier Group,
based at Greenham Common operating from Canino Airfield.

FRIDAY, 21 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   362 B-17s and B-24s hit targets in Czechoslovakia; B-17s and B-24s bomb the
Brux synthetic oil refinery; B-24s also hit the marshalling yard at Mestre;
100+ other bombers are forced to abort due to bad weather; P-38s and P-51s
provide escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather cancels medium bomber operations; A-20s hit a supply dump
while fighter-bombers attack rail and road bridges in the Po Valley and hit
rail lines N of the battleline which is pushing into the Arno River Valley SE
of Pisa; and the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air
Command, moves from Follonica to Borgo, Corsica with F-6s (a detachment moves
to Santa Maria).

SATURDAY, 22 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Rumania, 76 P-38s and 58 P-51s begin the second Fifteenth Air Force
shuttle missions, attacking airfields at Zilistea and Buzau (claiming the
destruction of 56 enemy aircraft) and landing at Operation FRANTIC bases in the
USSR; 458 B-17s and B-24s (with fighter escorts) bomb an oil refinery at
Ploesti and other bombers hit alternate targets of the Verciorova marshalling
yard, Orsova railroad bridge, and Kragujevac, Yugoslavia marshalling yard.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again curtails operations; during night and day operations
A-20s carry out armed reconnaissance of the Lucca, Florence, Genoa, and Milan
areas, bombing scattered motor transport, and attack munitions factory; B-25s
bomb bridges at Ronco Scrivia and Cogoli; fighter-bombers hit roads, railroads,
bridges, gun positions, trains, and vehicles in and N of the battle area, and
strafe aircraft at Bergamo Airfield.

SUNDAY, 23 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   42 B-24s bomb the Berat, Albania oil refinery; 15 P-51s provide target cover
for the bombers and afterwards strafe roads and targets of opportunity in
Yugoslavia near the Albanian border.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s bomb and strafe motor transport in the Po River Valley
during the night of 22/23 Jul; B-25s and B-26s hit bridges and bridge
approaches in the Valley, at or near Antoniassi, Acqui, Molare, Ferrara,
Ostiglia, Borgoforte, and Cervo; fighter- bombers, operating in small numbers,
hit communication lines between the battle area (along the Pisa-Florence line)
and the Po River Valley; and the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter
Wing (attached to the 87th Fighter Wing), based at Solonzara, Corsica with
Beaufighters, sends a detachment to operate from Piombino.

MONDAY, 24 JULY 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 121st Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO, arrives at Pomigliano, Italy from
Telergma, Algeria with L-4s and L-5s.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   200+ bombers attack targets in France and Italy; B-17s attack tank repair
and ball bearing works in Turin, Italy; B-24s attack the harbor at Genoa,
Italy, and airfields at Valence/La Tresorerie and Les Chanoines, France;
fighters hit troop concentrations at Sjenica, Prijepolje, Pljevlja, and
Andrijevica; fighters provide escort and strafe the Prizren, Yugoslavia area.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges at Chivasso, Peschiera del Garda,
Imperia, and Ronco Scrivia, and viaduct at Ovada; A-20s hit ammunition supplies
while fighter-bombers attack rail lines in the Po River Valley, destroying and
damaging numerous railway cars, as the US Fifth Army begins regrouping along
the Arno River.

TUESDAY, 25 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 420 B-17s and B-24s bomb the Hermann Goring tank works in Linz
while other bombers hit the Villach marshalling yard and targets of opportunity
in Austria and Yugoslavia; fighters provide escort and carry out sweeps;
175-200 enemy fighters oppose the attacks; 21 AAF aircraft are lost; the
bombers and fighters claim 60+ fighters shot down. Operating from USSR
Operation FRANTIC bases, 34 P-51s and 33 P-38s attack the airfield at Mielec,
Poland and return to the USSR.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s hit a storage dump and rail lines while medium bombers pound
bridges in NW Italy at Borgo San Dalmazzo, Fossano, Albenga, Casale Monferrato,
Cervo, Legnano, Rovigo, and Chivasso; fighter-bombers continue to attack
communications in the Po River Valley, hitting numerous targets and completely
destroying a railroad bridge at Crema.

WEDNESDAY, 26 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Fighters on the second shuttle mission leave USSR Operations FRANTIC bases,
strafe enemy aircraft in the Bucharest-Ploesti, Rumania area, and return to
bases in Italy. In Austria, 330+ B-17s and B-24s attack the Wiener Neudorf
aircraft factory, the airfield at Markersdorf, Thalerhof, Zwolfaxing, and Bad
Voslau, and targets of opportunity in the Vienna area. Also hit are Szombathely
Airfield, Hungary and oil storage at Berat, Albania. Fighters fly escort and
carry out patrols and sweeps in the Brod-Zagreb, Yugoslavia and
Ploesti-Bucharest, Rumania areas; bombers and fighters claim 70+ enemy aircraft
shot down.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 25/26 Jul A-20s bomb roads and motor transport
in the Vado Ligure area and hit fuel supplies during following day; B-25s and
B-26s hit bridges in N Italy at Ronco Scrivia, Vado, Asti, Ostiglia, Carasco,
Verona, and Poggio Renatico; fighter-bombers attack road and rail bridges in N
Italy at several points, strafe and bomb many gun positions, destroy or damage
20+ aircraft at Valence Airfield, and hit numerous targets of opportunity.

THURSDAY, 27 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Hungary, 366 B-17s and B-24s bomb an armament works at Budapest; 24 other
B-24s attack Pecs marshalling yards; P-38s and P-51s escort the Budapest
mission.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s fly patrols on the night of 26/27 Jul over the Po River
Valley, bombing lights and vehicles at Piacenza, Modena, and Verona; both
medium and fighter-bombers concentrate on bridges in the Po River Valley and NW
Italy throughout the day; numerous hits are scored on bridges and other
targets, including parked aircraft, guns, and railroads.

FRIDAY, 28 JULY 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   In Italy, the 72d Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO, based at Santa Maria, sends a
flight to operate from Caserta with L-5s.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   345 B-17s and B-24s attack 2 oil refineries at Ploesti, Rumania and a
marshalling yard at Florina, Greece; P-51s and P-38s provide support for the
Ploesti raid.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s bomb scattered lights and vehicles in the Po River Valley
during the night of 27/28 Jul; and during the day light, medium, and
fighter-bombers hit targets in the Po River Valley, concentrating on bridges.
Some fighter-bombers attack motor transport in the Rhone River Valley in
France.

SATURDAY, 29 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Weather cancels all bombing operations. 14 P-38s, taking off from USSR
bases, sweep the Kecskemet, Hungary area.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather cancels medium bomber operations; fighter-bombers,
operating on a reduced scale, hit buildings at Diano Marina and bridges, rail
lines, airfields, and vehicles in N Italy.

SUNDAY, 30 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   300+ bombers attack targets in Hungary and Yugoslavia: B-24s bomb Duna
Airfield; B-17s bomb the aircraft factory at Budapest, and marshalling yards at
Brod, Yugoslavia; P-38s and P-51s escort the missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 29/30 Jul A-20s bomb Savona and surrounding
areas; overcast in the W Po River Valley causes some medium bomber aborts but
several bridges at Ovada, Bistagno, Cherasco, and Ferrara are successfully
attacked; fighter-bombers attack road and rail bridges in N Italy, hit shipping
between Savona and Ventimiglia, silence 8 flak guns at the Ferrara bridge, and
hit several transportation targets of opportunity.

MONDAY, 31 JULY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   360+ bombers attack targets in Rumania; B-17s hit an oil refinery at
Ploesti; B-24s bomb 2 oil refineries at Bucharest, 1 at and Doicesti, and oil
storage at Targoviste. Fighters escort the bombers.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather grounds medium bombers; fighter-bombers hit several
bridges in the W Po River Valley while fighters strafe airfields with good
results; the fighter-bombers also destroy around 50 railroad cars and damage
numerous others.

AUGUST 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

TUESDAY, 1 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather limits operations to
reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers hit bridges
in the Po Valley, N of Genoa, at Canneto sull'Oglio, Balossa, Vigone, Ronco
Scrivia, and Ovada, and marshalling yard at Imperia; fighter-bombers
concentrate on airfields in the Po Valley (at Villanova d'Albenga, Airasca, and
Venaria Reale), hit small landing grounds throughout the area, and attack
several communications targets including roads, rail lines, bridges, and
railroad cars.

WEDNESDAY, 2 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   330+ bombers are dispatched to hit targets in France and Italy; B-24s attack
Genoa, Italy harbor; B-17s hit targets in S France, including Le Pouzin oil
storage, Portes-les-Valences torpedo factory and marshalling yard, Le Pontet
oil storage, and Avignon railroad bridges; P-38s and P-51s provide escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers strike at bridges near the border between Italy and
France, doing some damage at Gilette, Taggia, Alessandria, and at 2 points
along the Var River; fighter- bombers pound bridges and airfields in NW Italy
and S France and attack targets of opportunity in the area.

THURSDAY, 3 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   600+ bombers hit targets in Germany; B-17s and B-24s hit industry in the
Friedrichshafen area, including chemical works, fabric works, and 2 aircraft
factories; B-24s also bomb communications targets in the Brenner Pass area,
attacking Avisio viaduct and bridges at Ora and San Michele all'Adige; fighters
fly about 300 sorties in support; the bombers and fighters claim 18 enemy
aircraft shot down; 11 AAF airplanes are destroyed.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers achieve fair results in attacks on bridges at
Gilette, Levens, Lesegno, Albenga, and Asti, and at 2 locations along the Var
River; fighter-bombers have a successful day against communications targets
(mainly road and railroad bridges) and airfields in N Italy; at least 15
bridges are damaged or demolished and several parked aircraft are destroyed.

FRIDAY, 4 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In an attempt to comply with the first direct Soviet request for AAF air
strikes, 70+ P-38s and P-51s leave Italy, attack the airfield and town of
Focsani, Rumania and land at Operation FRANTIC bases in the USSR.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather severely hampers the day's operations. medium bombers
attacking bridges at Levens, Ventimiglia, Fontan, and along the Var River
achieve poor results; fighter- bombers in same the general area hit bridges,
tracks, guns, junction, and airfield, and strike at Nice, France harbor.

SATURDAY, 5 AUGUST 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again restricts operations; A-20s on armed reconnaissance
in the Po Valley during the night of 4/5 Aug attack lights and vehicles;
fighter-bombers fly a few unsuccessful missions against bridges; and the
detachment of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing (attached to
87th Fighter Wing), operating form Piombino, Italy returns to base at
Solonzara, Corsica with Beaufighters.

SUNDAY, 6 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   60 fighters take off from Operation FRANTIC bases in the USSR, attack
Craiova marshalling yard and other railroad targets in the Bucharest-Ploesti,
Rumania area, and land at Italian bases. Close to 700 B-17s and B-24s,
operating against targets in SE France, attack oil storage at Le Pouziii, Le
Pontet, and Lyon, railroad bridges at Le Pouzin, Avignon, Tarascon, Rambert,
and Givors, marshalling yards at Portes-les-Valences and Miramas, and submarine
pens at Toulon; 43 P-38s dive-bomb airfields at Orange/Plan de Dieu, and
Valence; P-38s and P-51s fly about 200 sorties in support of bombing missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Medium bombers strike bridges in SE France in the Rhone Valley and areas to
the E, in or near Tarascon and Arles, and alone the Var River; fighter-bombers
enjoy a successful day against targets in NW Italy and SE France, including
bridges, railroad lines, motor transport, trains, roads, airfields, and town
areas, plus shipping at Imperia, Genoa, and La Spezia, Italy.

MONDAY, 7 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   353 B-17s and B-24s bomb 2 synthetic oil reflneries at Blechhammer S (B-17s)
and Blechhammer N (B-24s); 300+ fighters provide support; 76 B-24s hit Alibunar
Airfield and Novi Sad oil facilities, Yugoslavia; the bombers and fighters
claim nearly 30 aircraft shot down.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s bomb shipping at Genoa, Finale Ligure, and Alassio and
Monaco, Monaco during the night of 6/7 Aug; during the day, B-25s and B-26s
bomb bridges at Les Censies, Ventimiglia, La Voulte-sur-Rhone, Livron, Avignon,
and Pont-Saint-Esprit; fighter-bombers hit rail and road bridges, marshalling
yards at Alessandria and Albenga, shipping at Imperia and Nice, and airfields
in NW Italy and S France.

TUESDAY, 8 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers attack targets in Po Valley and Rhone Valley in
France, hitting bridges and railroad tracks in or near Alessandria, and
Avignon, Pont-Saint-Esprit, and along the Var River in France; A-20s hit a
storage dump and the nearby town of Savigliano; fighter-bombers hit a barge in
San Stefano al Mare harbor and pontoon and railroad bridges nearby, and attack
the Mantua causeway and nearby bridges, scoring many hits and destroying
several vehicles.

WEDNESDAY, 9 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Around 400 bombers, with fighter escort, hit targets in Hungary and
Yugoslavia; B-17s bomb an aircraft assembly plant and a rolling stock plant at
Gyor, Hungary and marshalling yard and oil refinery at Brod, Yugoslavia; B-24s
bomb 2 airfields and an oil refinery at Budapest, Hungary.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bomber efforts are restricted by bad weather; however,
during the night of 8/9 Aug A-20s hit targets along the coastal road from Nice,
France to Genoa, and during the day B-25s hit the railroad at Ventimiglia and
B-26s attain excellent results on the Bergamo/Orio al Serio Airfield;
fighter-bombers sink a motor vessel in Imperia harbor and attack railroad
facilities in NW Italy; the detachment of the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, operating from Santa Maria with F-6s,
returns to base at Borgo, Corsica.

THURSDAY, 10 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   450+ B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, hit 6 oil refineries in the
Ploesti, Rumania area. In Italy, the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group,
ceases operating from Corsica with P-38s and returns to base at Triolo
Airfield; and the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, based at Salsola
Airfield with P-38s, sends a detachment to operate from Aghione, Corsica.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Medium bomber and A-20 missions are cancelled by bad weather;
fighter-bombers, operating on a reduced scale, hit gun positions along the S
coast of France in preparation for the Allied invasion of S France (Operation
DRAGOON).

FRIDAY, 11 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   The 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, based at Salsola
Airfield with P-38s, Italy, send detachments to operate from Aghione, Corsica
for 10 days

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   B-25s, B-26s, and P-47s strike gun positions along the French and Italian
coasts W of Genoa as the Operation DRAGOON assault force begins a movement from
the Naples area toward targets in S France.

SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Almost 550 fighter-escorted B-17s and B-24s attack targets in France and
Italy; the B-17s bomb gun positions in the Savona, Italy area; B-24s attack gun
positions in the Genoa, Italy and the Marseille, Toulon, and Sete areas of
France; 100+ P-51s strafe radar installations and other coast-watching
facilities along the French S coast; these and Twelfth AF strikes are
preparatory to Operation DRAGOON.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Medium bombers, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack targets, mainly gun
positions, in the battle area N of the Arno River and in S France.

SUNDAY, 13 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Almost 500 B-17s and B-24s attack gun positions around Genoa, Italy and
Toulon, and Sete, France, and strike at bridges at Pont-Saint-Esprit, Avignon,
Orange, and Crest, France; 31 P-38s dive-bomb Montelimar Airfield; other
fighters fly 180+ sorties in support of the bombers; and 28 bombers hit
military installations at Pec, Yugoslavia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, medium bombers blast coastal defense guns in the Marseille area
while A-20s during the night of 12/13 Aug attack targets along the
Monaco-Toulon road, and fighter-bombers hit guns and barracks in the area; and
fighters strafe airfields at Les Chanoines, Montreal, Avignon, La Jasse,
Istres-Le-Tube, Valence, and Bergamo. In Italy, A-20s attack explosive stores
in the battle area in the Arno River Valley.

MONDAY, 14 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   540 B-24s and B-17s bomb gun positions in the Toulon, France and Genoa,
Italy areas as the Operation DRAGOON convoy heads for the French Mediterranean
coast; 145 P-38s and P-51s strafe radar installations at several coastal
points.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, medium bombers hit coastal defenses while fighter-bombers pound
various gun positions, tracks, enemy HQ, and targets of opportunity in the
Toulon-Nice area; fighters strafe radar installations and targets of
opportunity along the S coast as Operation DRAGOON forces approach. In Italy
during the night of 13/14 Aug, A-20s hit targets of opportunity in the W Po
Valley and a fuel dump N of the battle area; and the 416th Night Fighter
Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, based at Pomigliano with Beaufighters and
Mosquitos, sends detachments to operate from Alghero, Sicily and Borgo,
Corsica.

TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In the Fifteenth AF's first mass night raid, 252 B-17s and B-24s after a
predawn takeoff pound beaches in the Cannes-Toulon, France area in immediate
advance of Operation DRAGOON; 28 other fighter-escorted B-17s bomb highway
bridges over the Rhone River; B-17s sent against coastal gun positions abort
the mission owing to poor visibility; and 166 P-51s escort Mediterranean
Tactical Air Force (MATAF) C-47s carrying airborne invasion troops.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France during the night of 14/15 Aug A-20s bomb Le Vallon, Istres, and
Orange/Plan de Dieu Airfields and other Rhone Valley targets while the US
Seventh Army carries out preliminary operations to isolate Operation DRAGOON
invasion beaches; the US Special Service Force invades Levant and Port-Cros
Island and secures the left flank of the assault area; French commandoes land E
of Cap Negre and clear coastal defenses, the French Naval Assault Group lands
SW of Cannes and secures the right flank; the 1st Airborne Task Force drops in
the rear of assault beaches and blocks off the invasion area from the interior;
the main force, the US VI Corps, lands 3 divisions abreast between Nice and
Toulon at 0800 hours local; A-20s bomb barracks in the invasion area while
B-25s, B-26s, P-38s, and P-47s, supporting the invasion, pound beaches, enemy
concentrations, and gun positions in coastal areas and later in the day move
attacks inland to interdict enemy communications lines successfully hitting
numerous bridges; fighters maintain constant patrol over the convoys and
invasion area; HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from Santa Maria di Caputa, Italy to
St Tropez; and the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air
Command, based at Borgo, Corsica, sends a detachment to operate from St Maxime
and Grimaud with F-6s.

WEDNESDAY, 16 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   89 B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb a chemical works at Friedrichshafen,
Germany. In France, 108 B-17s, supporting Operation DRAGOON, attack railroad
bridges at Saint-Vallier, Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny, Grenoble, and Isere-Valence;
42 P-51s escort MATAF C-47s on a supply dropping mission to DRAGOON beachheads.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In support of Operation DRAGOON forces, fighters and fighter-bombers
continue to blast enemy defenses and communications on the beaches and in the
invasion area of S France; A-20s hit lights and vehicles during the night of
15/16 Aug from N of the beachhead to the Rhone River and during the day raid
ammunition stores; medium bombers pound Rhone River bridges and gun positions
throughout the general area.

THURSDAY, 17 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   53 B-17s, with fighter cover, bomb Nish Airfield, Yugoslavia. 250 B-24s,
escorted by P-51s, bomb 3 oil refineries and targets of opportunity in the
Ploesti, Rumania area.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, despite bad weather, medium bombers attack railroad bridges
leading to the beachhead area of the S coast and hit coastal guns SW of Toulon;
A-20s hit motor transport during the night and drop ammunition to invasion
forces; fighter-bombers and fighters on armed reconnaissance and patrol score
excellent results against motor transport and rail cars and destroy several
airplanes on airfields in the S.

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   370 fighter-escorted B-17s and B-24s bomb 5 oil refineries around Ploesti,
Rumania; 89 B-24s, with fighter cover, bomb Alibunar Airfield, Yugoslavia. The
detachment of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, operating from
Aghione, Corsica with P-38s returns to base at Salsola Airfield, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, medium bombers blast coastal guns in the Toulon area and shipping
in Toulon harbor; fighter- bombers closely support beachhead troops, hit
rolling stock and rail lines, and generally disrupt communications as the US VI
Corps overruns the primary defenses in the coastal area of SE France; fighters
maintain beachhead patrols and area cover for the bombers; and HQ XII Tactical
Air Command moves from Italy to France.

SATURDAY, 19 AUGUST 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 72d Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO (attached to Seventh Army), moves from
Santa Maria, Italy to St Tropez, France with L-5s; a flight is operating from
Caserta, Italy.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bombing the Ploesti, Rumania area for the fourth consecutive day, 65 B-17s
supported by 125 P-51s blast 2 oil refineries.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, A-20s hit marshalling yards while B-25s and B-26s bomb road and
rail bridges throughout SE France; fighter-bombers and fighters continue to
pound enemy communications N and W, of the beachhead and guns in the immediate
battle area as the US Seventh Army's Task Force Butler crosses the Durance
River and moves N to Sisteron and Digne.

SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   460+ B-24s and B-17s, some fighter-escorted, bomb the airfield and
marshalling yard at Szolnok, Hungary and oil refineries at Dubova,
Czechoslovakia, and Czechowice and Auschwitz, Poland.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France during the night of 19/20 Aug A-20s attack lights and motor
transport from the battleline NW to the Rhone River; B-26s, joined by
fighter-bombers and fighters, hit coastal defense guns in the Toulon area,
while B-25s bomb Rhone Valley bridges and airfields achieving especially good
results at the airfield near Valence; and the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Borgo, Corsica with
F-5s, sends a detachment to Le Luc, France.

MONDAY, 21 AUGUST 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 14th Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO (attached to Seventh Army), moves from
St Tropez to Brignoles with L-5s (a detachment is operating from Caserta,
Italy).

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   117 B-24s, escorted by P-51s, bomb Nish Airfield, Yugoslavia. 102 B-24s,
with P-51 escort, hit Hajduboszormeny Airfield, Hungary which 46 other P-51s
sweep, some making low-level strafings on parked aircraft. In Italy, the
detachments of the 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group,
operating from Aghione, Corsica with P-38s, return to base at Salsola Airfield;
and the detachment of the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, operating
from Corsica with P-38s, returns to base at Triolo Airfield.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers hit roads and bridges in the Po Valley while A-20s
during the night of 20/21 Aug strike motor transport in the W part of the
Valley and bomb Alessandria barracks during the day. Fighter-bombers and
fighters again blast enemy communications lines and gun positions in S France,
marshalling yard and rail lines at Alessandria and Casale Monferrato, and motor
transport and train cars in NW Italy and SE France. The detachments of the
111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, operating
from St Maxime and Grimaud, France with F-6s returns to base at Borgo, Corsica;
another detachment begins operating from St Raphael, France.

TUESDAY, 22 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Around 530 B-17s and B-24s supported by P-51s and P-38s bomb hit targets in
Austria and Germany; B-17s bomb oil refineries at Odertal, Germany; B-24s bomb
oil refineries at Korneuburg, Austria and Blechhammer, Germany, and oil storage
at Lobau, Austria.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Weather restricts operation in SE France; B-26s attack targets in the Po
Valley of Italy where they destroy 1 bridge and severely damage another; A-20s
hit motor transport SW of Alessandria, Italy and in the Nice, France area
during the night of 21/22 Aug and hit industrial buildings in S France during
the day; fighters hit motor transport W of the Rhone River and in scattered
parts of SE France; the 85th, 86th and 87th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter
Group, move from Corsica to Southern France with P-47s; and the 315th Fighter
Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, moves from Corsica to Le Luc, France with P-47s.
The detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, operating
from Alghero, Sicily with Mosquitos, returns to base at Pomigliano, Italy.

WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 472 B-24s and B-17s supported by P-51s and P-38s bomb the S
industrial area of Vienna, the Wiener-Neudorf aircraft engine factory,
Vosendorf oil refinery, and Markersdorf Airfield, and attack targets at
Ferrara, Italy, missing a river bridge but hitting a synthetic rubber factory.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers attack road and rail bridges N of the Arno River
and roads leading N from Florence, and also hit bridges in the Rhone Valley of
France; widespread haze in parts of France and Italy prevents accurate bombing;
fighter-bombers continue to attack communications, gun positions, and road
movements in the Provence battle areas; the 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th
Fighter Group, moves from Corsica to Le Luc, France with P-47s; and the
detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, operating
from Borgo, Corsica with Mosquitos returns to base at Pomigliano.

THURSDAY, 24 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   530+ B-17s and B-24s bomb 3 oil refineries at Kolin and Pardubice,
Czechoslovakia; marshalling yard at Vinkovci, Yugoslavia; Szeged, Hungary; and
Ferrara, Italy railroad bridge and several targets of opportunity; around 70-80
fighters escort the Czechoslovakian missions; and US bombers and escorting
fighters claim nearly 40 air victories.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   During the night of 23/24 Aug, A-20s hit motor transport and targets of
opportunity in the Rhone Valley of France and at Genoa, Milan, and Turin,
Italy; medium bombers bomb bridges at Montpellier, Avignon, and Lunel, France
and Solignano Nuovo, and Castel del Rio, Italy, and score direct hits on gun
positions in the Marseille, France area; and fighters bomb and strafe gun
positions, vehicles, roads and bridges throughout SE France. In Italy, the
346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves from Pomigliano to Tarquinia
with P-47s (the detachment at Piombino also moves to the new base).

FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Czechoslovakia, 300+ B-17s and B-24s supported by P-38s and P-51s bomb
aircraft factories at Brno and Kurim and airfields at Brno and Prostejov. The
885th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Fifteenth Air Force (attached to
Mediterranean Allied Air Forces), moves from Blida to Maison Blance, Algeria
with B-17s and B-24s (the squadron transports supplies to partisans and drop
leaflets in the MTO).

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   A-20s hit targets of opportunity during the night of 24/25 Aug, and during
the day fly armed reconnaissance over the Po and Rhone Valleys in Italy and
France respectively, and hit ammunition stores in S France. In France, B-25s
and B-26s attack Rhone River bridges at Avignon, Culoz, Saint-Alban-du-Rhone,
Pont d'Ain, and Loyes, and hit gun positions around Marseille; fighter-bombers
on armed reconnaissance in the battle area and in Italy, along the battleline N
of the Arno River attack gun positions, roads, and bridges. HQ 27th Fighter
Group and the 522d, 523d and 524th Fighter Squadrons move from Serragia,
Corsica to Le Luc France with P-47s; HQ 79th Fighter Group moves from Corsica
to S France; HQ 324th Fighter Group moves from Corsica to Le Luc, France.

SATURDAY, 26 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   470+ bombers escorted by P-38s and P-51s attack targets in Italy and
Rumania; B-17s hit viaducts and bridges at Venzone, Avisio, and Latisana,
Italy; in Rumania, B-24s hit a train ferry and terminal at Giurgiu, Otopeni
Airfield, barracks and troops in the Baneasa area and a viaduct at Borovnica.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   During the night of 25/26 Aug fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance over
the W Po Valley, Italy, and over the Nice, France area bomb vehicles and other
targets of opportunity, and during the day bomb ammunition dumps in SE France
and in NC Italy; in France, medium bombers hit guns in the Marseille area but
several missions into the Rhone Valley are aborted due to bad weather;
fighter-bombers and fighters fly armed reconnaissance over N Italy and SE
France, attacking rail lines, roads, guns, vehicles, and other targets of
opportunity.

SUNDAY, 27 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   530+ fighter-escorted bombers attack targets in Germany and Italy; the B-17s
hit an oil refinery in Blechhammer, Germany; the B-24s also hit an oil refinery
in Blechhammer and in Italy, a railroad bridge at Ferrara, and viaducts at
Avisio, Venzone, and Borovnica.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, medium bombers hit gun emplacements in the Marseille area and the
111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from
Borgo, Corsica to St Rahael with F-6s. In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges
at Berceto; fighter- bombers continue armed reconnaissance in the Po Valley and
over roads leading N from the battle line N of the Arno River; A-20s bomb
targets of opportunity in the Po Valley during the night of 26/27 Aug, fly
armed reconnaissance and during the day hit ammunition stores in NC Italy; and
the detachment of the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d
Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Cecina to Malignano with F-5s
(the squadron is based at Follonica).

MONDAY, 28 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   560+ bombers escorted by P-38s and P-51s strike targets in Austria, Hungary
and Italy; B-17s hit Moosbierbaum oil refinery and adjacent chemical works in
Austria; B-24s hit an oil refinery at Szony and marshalling yards at Miskolc,
Hungary; and railroad bridges and viaducts at Szolnok, Hungary; and Zambana,
Avisio, and Ora Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   B-25s bomb railroad bridges in the Lyon, France area. In Italy, B-26s
destroy several airplanes at Villafranca di Verona Airfield and a bridge at
Parma; A-20s hit motor transport and other targets of opportunity during the
night of 27/28 Aug, fly armed reconnaissance over the Po Valley and blast a
command post SE of Genoa; fighter-bombers hit vehicles in the Rhone Valley of
France, bomb and strafe roads and bridges in the battle area N of Arno River
and hit shipping in Imperia and Savona harbors.

TUESDAY, 29 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   550 bombers strike targets in Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and
Yugoslavia; in Italy, communications targets in the Po Valley and railway
bridges at Ferrara, Salzano, and Ferrara; in Czechoslovakia, oil refineries and
communications targets in the Silesian Plain, including the Bohumin area, steel
works and marshalling yard, Moravska-Ostrava marshalling yard, oil refineries
and industrial area including, tank works, and marshalling yards; in the
Hungarian Plain, marshalling yards at Szolnok and Szeged, and a railway bridge
at Szeged; and in Yugoslavia, a railway bridge at Borovnica; P-38s bomb
Latisana Bridge, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers hit 4 bridges and a viaduct in NE Italy while A-20s
hit a fuel station; fighter- bombers hit roads and bridges in N Italy and
support ground forces in the Arno River Valley; P-47s fly medium bomber escort
and armed reconnaissance, claiming 100 vehicles destroyed. In France, fighters
attack targets in the Rhone Valley; and the 316th Fighter Squadron, 324th
Fighter Group, moves from Corsica to Le Luc with P-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 30 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   100+ B-24s and B-17s hit targets in Yugoslavia; the B-17s bomb railroad
bridges at Novi Sad and Vranjeco; the B-24s attack bridges at Cuprija. Nearly
100 P-51s strafe airfields at Kecskemet, Hungary and Oradea, Rumania.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Weather grounds the medium bombers; A-20s hit targets of opportunity during
the night of 29/30 Aug and fuel storage while fighter-bombers pound roads and
railroads in the Po Valley in Italy and, on armed reconnaissance over the Rhone
Valley in France, attack rail lines and motor and horsedrawn vehicles, as US
Seventh Army elements continue up the Rhone Valley toward Lyon. HQ 27th Fighter
Group and 522d, 523d and 524th Fighter Squadrons move from Le Luc to Salon,
France with P-47s.

THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Rumania, 45 P-51s strafe the airfield at Reghin, while 97 others strafe
airfields at Oradea and Kecskemet, Hungary; fighters claim a record number of
150+ aircraft destroyed on the ground; and starting Operation REUNION (the
evacuation of US airmen interned in Rumania), 36 B-17s evacuate US airmen from
Bucharest (which falls to the Soviet Army today) to Bari, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers attack railroad bridges in the Po Valley, cutting
the bridge at Mira; and A-20s attack targets of opportunity in the Po Valley
during the night of 30/31 Aug and along with fighter-bombers hit communications
N of the Arno River. Other fighter-bombers attack communications targets in
France as the US Seventh Army pushes toward Lyon.

SEPTEMBER 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   In France, the flight of the 72d Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO, operating from
Caserta, Italy with L-5s returns to base at Brignoles; and the 121st Liaison
Squadron, AAF, MTO, based at Pomigliano, Italy sends "A" Flight to operate from
St Tropez with L-4s and L-5s. During Sep, the detachment of the 16th
Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy, Special), AAF, MTO, operating from Borgo,
Corsica with B-17s, returns to base at Foggia, Italy (the squadron serves as a
radar detection and ECM unit in the MTO until 26 Sep 44).

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   480+ B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Italy, Hungary and Yugoslavia; B-24s
attack Boara Pisani, Italy; in Yugoslavia, B-17s and B-24s attack railroad
bridges at Tesica/Moravac, Mitrovica, and Kraljevo, marshalling yards at Novi
Sad and the airfield at Nish; in Hungary B-24s attack railroad bridges at
Szolnok, and Mezotur, marshalling yards at Szajol, Debreczen, and
Berettyoujfalu; 51 P-51s successfully strafe Debreczen Airfield, Hungary; 16
B-17s evacuate interned US airmen from Rumania; fighters support bombing and
evacuation missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 31 Aug/1 Sep A-20s hit gun positions and
targets of opportunity in the W Po Valley; weather grounds B-26s during the day
but B-25s score excellent results against road and railroad bridges N and NE of
Venice; fighter-bomber and fighters bomb and strafe roads, troop
concentrations, supply dumps, and German HQ in the battle area N of Florence,
and fly armed reconnaissance from Ventimiglia along the coast to La Spezia; and
the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, moves from Pomigliano to
Rosignano with Mosquitos leaving a detachment at Pomigliano. In France, the 23d
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
[attached to 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] and based at Borgo,
Corsica with F-5s begins operating from Le Luc; the 314th and 315th Fighter
Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, move from Le Luc to Istres with P-47s; and the
415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, moves from Solonzara, Corsica
to Le Vallon with Beaufighters.

SATURDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 72d Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO (attached to Seventh Army), moves from
Brignoles to Grenoble, France with L-5s.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   HQ XV Fighter Command (Provisional) is activated and given control of the
306th Fighter Wing and it's 7 fighter groups; in Yugoslavia, 380+ B-24s hit the
Kraljevo railroad bridge and marshalling yard, a railroad bridge at Mitrovica,
road a bridge at Supovac, and 3 marshalling yards at Nish; 27 P-38s dive-bomb
the Cuprija road bridge while 57 P-38s and 112 P-51s strafe roads and railways
in the Nish and Belgrade areas; other P-51s escort Nish and Supovac bombing
missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s bomb 3 bridges in the Po Valley, following a raid during the
night of 1/2 Sep by A-20s which hit a pontoon bridge and targets of opportunity
in the Valley; and fighter- bombers blast roads, bridges and gun emplacements
in Po Valley, docks at Savona, and shipping off shore. In France,
fighter-bombers, hampered by poor weather, hit barracks and rail lines in the
Lyon area; and HQ 324th Fighter Group moves from Le Luc to Istres.

SUNDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   300+ B-17s and B-24s hit key escape routes of retreating German forces in
the Balkans, and bomb rail communications and supply lines S from Budapest,
Hungary, 3 bridges in the Belgrade, Yugoslavia area, bridges at Szajol and
Szeged, Hungary, and badly damage ferry docks at Smederovo, Yugoslavia; 3 B-17s
evacuate interned airmen from Bucharest, Rumania; 40 P-38s divebomb the
Smederovo ferry and strafe Kovin and Baviniste, Yugoslavia airfields and a
landing ground, destroying many parked aircraft, motor transport, vehicles, and
fuel tanks; and 75 P-51s strafe roads, railroads, vehicles, bivouac areas,
railroad repair shops, and miscellaneous targets in the
Skoplje-Nish-Krusevac-Belgrade, Yugoslavia areas. HQ 306th Fighter Wing moves
from Torremaggior to Lesina, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers pound railroad and road bridges in the W Po Valley
while fighter-bombers blast motor transport and rolling stock in the Turin
area; and on the night of 2/3 Sep A-20s on armed reconnaissance, start fires in
Genoa harbor. In France, fighter-bombers blast German vehicles retreating up
the Rhone Valley; the capture of Lyon is completed by French elements of the US
Seventh Army; and the 316th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, moves from
Le Luc to Istres with P-47s.

MONDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   HQ 305th Fighter Wing (Provisional) is organized and given control of the 3
P-38 groups of the 306th Fighter Wing.
   In Italy, almost 400 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, attack submarines
in Genoa harbor and hit communications in N Italy including the Avisio viaduct,
marshalling yards at Trento, Bronzola, and Ora, and railroad bridges at Ora,
Casarsa della Delizia, and Latisana.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s and B-26s hit several road and railroad bridges and tunnel
in the Po Valley while fighter- bombers strike pontoon bridges, roads, bridges,
and motor transport in preparation for an Allied ground assault on the Gothic
Line; during the night of 3/4 Sep A-20s on armed reconnaissance of the Po
Valley bomb vehicles in the Turin-Milan areas; fighters fly armed
reconnaissance and offensive patrols in the Po Valley and the Rhone Valley in
France. In France, the 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment
Group (Light), moves from Poretta, Corsica to Salon with A-20s; and the
detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, operating
from Tarquinia returns to base at Rosignano with Mosquitos.

TUESDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   430+ B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, attack communications targets in
Hungary and N Italy to impede the withdrawal from the lower Balkans and to
disrupt railroad communications in N Italy; targets hit are 2 railroad bridges
at Budapest and 1 each at Szolnok and Szob, Hungary and a railroad bridge at
Ferrara, Italy. B-24s dispatched to Yugoslavia cannot bomb the target because
of total cloud cover.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers again strike, with excellent results, road and rail
bridges in the Po Valley while fighter-bombers blast rail lines and rolling
stock S of the river; A-20s hit the Milan and Genoa areas during the night of
4/5 Sep and attack ammunition stores during the day; fighters support the
limited ground force advance in preparation for a major assault on the Gothic
Line. In France, fighters fly sweeps through the Rhone Valley; the 23d
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
[attached to 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] moves from Borgo, Corsica
to Valence with F-5s (the squadron is operating from Le Luc); the 84th and 86th
Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), move from
Poretta Airfield, Corsica to Salon with A-20s; the 111th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from St Raphael to
Valence with F-6s; and the 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, moves
from Istres to Amberieu with P-47s. The 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 63d
Fighter Wing, moves from Alghero, Sardinia to Borgo, Corsica with Beaufighters.

WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   542 B-24s attack communications targets in Rumania, Yugoslavia and Hungary
and troop and tank concentrations in S Yugoslavia; in Rumania, 2 marshalling
yards are hit at Oradea, and 2 nearby bridges over the Sebes Koros River;
targets in Yugoslavia are a marshalling yard at Novi Sad, a bridge at Belgrade,
and tanks and troops at Leskovac; and a marshalling yard at Nyiregyhaza,
Hungary. 2 bombers, with fighter escort, evacuate interned airmen from
Bucharest, Rumania.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 5/6 Sep A-20s attack targets of opportunity in
the Savona and Milan areas. In France during the day, weather grounds XII
Tactical Air Command aircraft except for a few fighters based in France which
fly armed reconnaissance over the Belfort, Dijon, and Colmar areas, destroying
or damaging numerous motor transport and railroad cars and several locomotives,
field guns, trailers, and a tank; HQ 324th Fighter Group and the 315th and
316th Fighter Squadrons move from Istres to Amberieu with P-47s; and the 35th
Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Group, based at Ciampino, Italy,
begins operating from Istres with C-47s.

THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Weather cancels all flying in France and Italy except for weather
reconnaissance by a few P-47s. In France, HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and
the 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light) move from Poretta, Corsica to Salon with
A-20s; the 16th and 18th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group,
based at Ciampino, Italy begin operating from Istres with C-47s; and the 23d
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
[attached to 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] ceases operating from Le
Luc and returns to base at Valence; at the same time, a detachment begins
operating from Satolas-et- Bonce with F-5s.

FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 72d Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO (attached to Seventh Army), moves from
Grenoble to Lons-le-Saunier with L-5s.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Yugoslavia, 354 B-17s and B-24s escorted by P-38s hit railroad bridges at
Brod and Belgrade and marshalling yards at Sarajevo and Nish; 77 P-51s strafe
airfields at Ecka, Petrovgrad, Ilandza, and Alibunar; other P-51s escort RAF
Beaufighters to Trieste, Italy and Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force
(MATAF) C-47s on evacuation missions to Bucharest, Rumania and back to Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, A-20s fly supply missions to an airfield near Lyon; fighters
strafe the Belfort area, hitting 10 trains with good results, and blast a
horse-drawn vehicle convoy near Strasbourg; the 17th Troop Carrier Squadron,
64th Troop Carrier Group, based at Ciampino, Italy begins operating from
Istres. In Italy, bad weather grounds B-25s and B-26s; P-47s on armed
reconnaissance in the Po Valley area attack 2 pontoon bridges and several
barges, cut a road, and hit several vehicles and other targets of opportunity;
HQ 350th Fighter Group moves from Corsica to Tarquinia; the detachment of the
23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
[attached to the 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] ceases operating from
Le Luc with F-5s and returns to base at Valence.

SATURDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-26s achieve excellent results against rail bridges in the E Po
Valley while B-25s bomb troop concentrations and supply points S of Bologna;
fighter-bombers and fighters attack railways and roads in the Po Valley and
from Genoa to Turin; motor transport and rolling stock are bombed and strafed
in N Italy and E France, with particular success in the
Belfort-Mulhouse-Freiburg, France areas; and the detachment of the 416th Night
Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, operating from Pomigliano with Mosquitos,
returns to base at Rosignano. In France, the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from Valence to Satolas-et-Bonce with
F-6s.

SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 344 B-17s and B-24s bomb 5 ordnance depots and SE industrial
area in Vienna and 2 oil refineries in the area. 88 B-24s escorted by P-38s and
P-51s bomb the port of Trieste, Italy. and 45 B-24s, with P-51s escorting, fly
a supply mission to Lyon, France.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers continue the campaign against railroad bridges in
the Po Valley and execute 4 attacks against supply and ammunition dumps;
fighter-bombers hit dumps and communications as the ground assault on the
Gothic Line commences during the early morning. In France, XII Tactical Air
Command fighters and fighter- bombers blast communications in the Belfort and
Dijon areas, cutting railroads and hitting several trains.

MONDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to supply mission by 54 B-24s to France.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-26s hit defensive positions as US Fifth Army elements push
through N Italian mountain passes toward Gothic Line defenses; B-25s bomb
railroad bridges at Vigevano and Canneto sull'Oglio and supply areas;
fighter-bombers and fighters attack roads, railroads, guns, supply areas,
bridges, and other targets at Vernio, and in the Alessandria, Turin, Piacenza,
and Milan areas; and the 65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons, 57th Fighter Group,
move from Alto, Corsica to Ombrone, Italy with P-47s. The 522d Fighter
Squadron, 27th Fighter Group, moves from Salon to Loyettes, France with P-47s.

TUESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Germany, nearly 330 B-17s and B-24s supported by P-38s and P-51s bomb
Lechfeld Airfield, Munich/Allach engine works, and Wasserburg jet aircraft
factory. 50+ B-24s fly supply mission to S France.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Brigadier General Benjamin W Chidlaw assumes command of the XII Fighter
Command.
   In Italy, B-26s blast defended positions in the C battle sector of the
Gothic Line; B-25s pound Po River railroad bridges and attack guns and
strongpoints in the battle zone as the enemy falls back to prepared Gothic Line
defenses and the rapid Allied advance halts; fighter-bombers strike at guns,
troop concentrations, strongpoints, and flak positions in the Genoa and Milan
areas; and HQ 57th Fighter Group and the 64th Fighter Squadron move from Alto,
Corsica to Ombrone Airfield with P-47s. In France, French-based fighter-bombers
cut tracks in the Belfort, Basel, and Freiburg areas; and the 417th Night
Fighter Squadron, 63d Fighter Wing, arrives at La Valon from Borgo, Corsica
with Beaufighters; and the 523d and 524th Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter
Group, move from Salon to Loyettes with P-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force):
   73 of 74 B-17s, escorted by 63 P-51s, continuing the UK-USSR-Italy-UK
shuttle-bombing mission, take off from USSR bases, bomb steel and armament
works at Diosgyor, Hungary and proceed to Fifteenth AF bases in Italy.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   350+ fighter-escorted B-17s and B-24s bomb targets in Czechoslovakia,
Germany, Italy, and Poland; B-17s hit Blechhamer N oil refinery; B-24s hit the
oil refinery at Odertal, Germany and, in Poland, the Auschwitz oil and rubber
works and the Cracow-Auschwitz area, and bomb the marshalling yard at Vrutky,
Czechoslovakia.  In Italy, 100+ B-24s attack the Avisio viaduct, and
Mezzocorona and Ora railroad bridges.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s destroy a bridge at Peschiera del Garda, cutting the
Milan-Verona line; B-25s and B-26s bomb guns and defensive positions N of
Florence; fighter-bombers attack railroads, rolling stock, and bridges in N
Italy, although a heavy overcast hampers operations in the NW.

THURSDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers attack defensive positions in the E and C parts of
the Gothic Line as the enemy fiercely resists, especially at Il Giogo Pass and
on Monte Altuzzo; fighter- bombers continue strikes against communications and
movement in the Po Valley. In France, bad weather limits fighters to a few
sweeps in the S; and HQ 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Sardinia to
Corsica.

FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   "A" Flight of the 121st Liaison Squadron, AAFMTO, moves from St Tropez to
Lyons, France with L-5s (squadron is based at Pomigliano, Italy).

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Greece, 276 B-17s and B-24s bomb Tatoi, Eleusis, and Kalamaki Airfields
and Salamis submarine base; P-38s and P-51s fly escort, target cover, and sweep
target areas; the attacks are aimed at hampering the withdrawal of enemy forces
from the area. 53 B-24s fly a supply mission to S France and 24 B-24s begin
evacuating aircrews formerly imprisoned in Bulgaria from Cairo, Egypt to Bari,
Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   HQ 87th Fighter Wing, 47th Bombardment Group (Light), 57th and 86th Fighter
Groups, and several other units are transferred from HQ XII Tactical Air
Command to HQ XII Fighter Command; HQ XII Tactical Air Command, based in S
France, remains assigned to the Twelfth AF but is put under operational control
of the Ninth AF. In Italy, all medium bomber missions are cancelled or aborted
due to weather; fighter-bombers, though restricted by weather, carry out armed
reconnaissance against enemy communications and defensive positions in the
Milan-Genoa- Modena-Pistoia areas, as Allied forces (joined on this date by
elements of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force) attempt to penetrate enemy
strongholds in the N Apennines; HQ XII Fighter Command moves from Caserta to
Florence; HQ 62d Fighter Wing moves from Naples to Antignano; and the 347th
Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves from Sardinia to Tarquinia with
P-47s.

SATURDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather cancels bombing operations. 2 P-38s fly weather reconnaissance
and 54 B-24s fly supplies to S France.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers attack fuel and supply dumps and defensive
positions in the Bologna and Rimini areas while fighter-bombers and fighters
bomb and strafe rail and road targets N of the battle areas in the N Apennine
Mountains as US Fifth Army forces struggle to break through strong enemy
defenses in the hills N of Prato, along the main Monte Altuzzo ridge, on Monte
Veruca, Monte Monticelli, and other mountain positions; the 85th Bombardment
Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Salon, France to
Follonica with A-20s; and the 526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves
from Poretta, Corsica to Grosseto with P-47s.

SUNDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force):
   The last UK-USSR-Italy-UK shuttle mission (Operations FRANTIC) is completed
as 72 B-17s and 59 P-51s fly without bombs from Italy to the UK; 2 B-17s and a
P-51 abort and a P-51 crashlands SW of Paris; 70 B-17s 57 P-51s land safely in
the UK.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   440+ B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, attack 2 oil refineries and 4
marshalling yards in the Budapest, Hungary area in an attempt to hit Germany's
principal remaining oil supply and to aid the Soviet and other friendly forces
on the S Russian front by pounding the focal rail traffic point in that area;
some of the escorting fighters strafe targets of opportunity in the general
target area. Bad weather hampers all but 8 of 54 B-24s flying supplies to S
France. 25 bombers return from Cairo, Egypt to Italy with Allied airmen
formerly imprisoned in Bulgaria; 2 B-17s, escorted by 41 P-51s, evacuate
wounded airmen from Czechoslovakia to Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In France, the US Seventh Army's French II Corps makes contact with the US
Third Army's French 2d Armored Division near Bains-les-Bains; and the 314th and
315th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, move from Amberieu to Tavaux with
P-47s. In Italy, B-25s hit troop concentrations in the British Eighth Army
battle area in the vicinity of Rimini; B-25s pound rail bridges in the W Po
Valley, while fighter-bombers operating in the Po Valley attack rails, roads,
rolling stock, road bridges, motor transport and other targets; in the
mountains S of the Po Valley US Fifth Army forces break through the Gothic Line
at Il Giogo Pass, take Monte Altuzzo and Pratone, finish clearing Monte Veruca,
and gain the crest of Monte Monticelli; and HQ 86th Fighter Group and the 527th
Fighter Squadron move from Poretta, Corsica to Grosseto with P-47s.

MONDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 72d Liaison Squadron, AAFMTO (attached to Seventh Army), moves from
Lons-le-Saunier to Vesoul, France with L-5s.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   463 B-17s and B-24s, some with fighter escort, hit marshalling yards at
Subotica and Szeged, Hungary and railroad bridges at Novi Sad and Belgrade,
Yugoslavia and Szob, and Budapest, Hungary; fighters maintain cover over the
Budapest area.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s continue to hit troop concentrations and gun positions, in
support of the British Eighth Army forces which open an assault on defenses in
the Rimini area; despite bad weather B-26s and P-47s maintain attacks on
bridges, rail lines, and transportation in the Po Valley; HQ 47th Bombardment
Group (Light) moves from Salon, France to Follonica; HQ 320th Bombardment Group
(Medium) moves from Decimomannu, Sardinia to Alto, Corsica with B-26s; and the
525th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves from Poretta, Corsica to
Grosseto with P-47s.

TUESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force):
   100 B-17s and 61 P-51s takeoff from bases in the USSR and bomb the
marshalling yard at Szolnok, Hungary and continue to bases in Italy.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   96 B-24s attack railroad bridges at Kraljevo and Mitrovica, Yugoslavia; 70
P-38s provide target area cover.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; fighter-bombers hit guns and
defensive positions along the Gothic Line and attack roads and bridges in the
Bologna area; the 86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment
Group (Light), move from Salon, France to Follonica with A-20s; the 95th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from
Villacidro, Sardinia to Poretta, Corsica with B-26s; and the 441st and 444th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from
Decimomannu, Sardinia to Alto, Corsica with B-26s. In France, HQ 64th Fighter
Wing moves from St Tropez to Dole.

WEDNESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Hungary, 500 B-17s and B-24s escorted by P-38s and P-51s attack 3
railroad bridges at Budapest, 2 marshalling yards at Hatvan and 1 at Gyor and,
in Czechoslovakia, bomb Malacky Airfield and the Bratislava oil district.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, the 27th and 79th Fighter Groups are added to HQ XII Fighter
Command which on this day begins operations in support of the US Fifth Army;
weather again grounds medium bombers and severely restricts fighters which fly
uneventful reconnaissance missions; the 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth
AF (attached to 62d Fighter Wing), departs Pomigliano for India with P-61s. In
France, HQ 324th Fighter Group and the 316th Fighter Squadron move from
Amberieu to Tavaux with P-47s; the 437th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 319th
Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Decimomannu, Sardinia to Serragia,
Corsica with B-26s; and the 442d and 443d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th
Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Decimomannu, Sardinia to Alto, Corsica
with B-26s.

THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   345 B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards at Debreczen and Bekescsaba,
Hungary, the railroad at Brod, Yugoslavia and in Hungary, highway bridges at
Baja, in the Kiskore area, and at Tiszafured, plus the Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
railroad bridge; 42 P-38s dive-bomb the Osijek, Yugoslavia marshalling yard;
other fighters escort the bombers. 2 C-47s, with 8 P-51s escorting, evacuate
Fifteenth AF personnel from Yugoslavia to Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather and unserviceable landing grounds cancel all
operations; and the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic
Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Follonica to Florence/Peretola with F-5s (a
detachment is operating from Malignano). In Corsica, HQ 42d Bombardment Wing
(Medium) moves from Elmas, Sardinia to Borgo; HQ 319th Bombardment Group
(Medium) and the 439th and 440th  Bombardment Squadrons move from Decimomannu,
Sardinia to Serragia with B-26s; and the 34th, 37th and 432d Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Villacidro,
Sardinia to Poretta with B-26s.

FRIDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force):
   The last Operation FRANTIC missions ends as 84 B-17s and 51 P-51s return to
the UK from Italy; the remaining aircraft return on 8 Oct.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Germany, 366 B-24s and B-17s escorted by 270 fighters bomb the NE
industrial area of Munich and Munich/ Riem Airfield. 76 B-24s bomb the
marshalling yard at Larissa, Greece. 68 B-24s fly a supply mission to S France.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy operating N of the Italian battle area, medium bombers bomb road
and rail bridges, while fighter- bombers continue hitting roads, railroads, and
transportation, and support ground forces as US Fifth Army elements prepare to
pursue the enemy withdrawing from N of Pistoia and to drive N to Raticosa Pass
and NE to Imola; British Eighth Army forces battle the enemy along the
Marecchia River; HQ 87th Fighter Wing moves from Furiani, Corsica to Caserta;
the 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves
from Salon, France to Follonica with A-20s; the 438th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Decimomannu, Sardinia to
Serragio, Corsica with B-26s.

SATURDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   147 B-17s, escorted by 290 P-38s and P-51s bomb the Brux, Czechoslovakia
synthetic oil refinery and the marshalling yard at Wels, Austria. 229 B-24s
attack communications targets in Italy, including a viaduct at Venzone and road
and railroad bridges at Casarsa della Delizia, Pinzano al Tagliamento, Ponte di
Piave, Latisana, San Dona di Piave, and Susegana.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Although several missions are aborted because of bad weather in Italy,
medium bombers attack several railroad bridges in the Po River Valley;
fighter-bombers hit guns and rail and road targets in the battle area as the US
Fifth Army pushes on through the Gothic Line defenses. In France, the
detachment of the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group [attached to 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)],
moves from Satolas-et-Bonce to Dijon with F-5s (squadron is based at Valence);
the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves
from Satolas-et-Bonce to Dijon with F-6s.

SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Greece, 362 B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb Eleusis, Kalamaki, and Tatoi
Airfields, the marshalling yard at Salonika, and harbor at Skaramanga. P-51s
escort B-24s transporting personnel from Bari to Marcianise, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather cancels medium bomber and A-20 operations; fighter-bombers
support ground forces, bombing and strafing strongpoints, troop concentrations,
and frontline communications targets as the US Fifth Army pushes through N
Apennines; HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and the 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron move from Borgo, Corsica to Rosia and Malignano
respectively with F-5s; HQ 57th Fighter Group and the 64th and 65th Fighter
Squadrons move from Ombrone Airfield to Grosseto with P-47s; the detachment of
the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), operating from Malignano with F-5s returns to base at
Florence/Peretola.

MONDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   51 B-24s, with P-51s and P-38s providing target cover and close escort, bomb
Piraeus, Skaramanga, and Salamis harbors in Greece.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers and A-20s cancel operations due to bad weather;
fighter-bombers hit barracks areas, railroads, roads, and transportation in or
near Bologna, Bozzolo, Parma, Castelfranco Veneto, and Canneto sull'Oglio, and
in the immediate battle areas as the US Fifth Army meets strong opposition,
especially in the vicinity of Monte Bastione, and near Torre Poggioli, Monte
Gamberaldi, and Monte Castelnuovo; the 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter
Group, moves from Ombrone to Grosseto with P-47s. In France, the 415th Night
Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, moves from Le Vallon to Longvic with
Beaufighters.

TUESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 25/26 Sep A-20s bomb targets of opportunity in
the Po Valley; throughout the day B-25s and B-26s pound rail and road bridges
in the E and NW parts of the Po Valley while fighter-bombers and fighters of
the XII Fighter Command attack road nets, rails, motor transport, and supply
points at many locations in the valley.

WEDNESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 26/27 Sep A-20s bomb motor transport in the Po
Valley; during the day bad weather cancels medium bomber operations and
restricts the XII Fighter Command; yet fighter-bombers effectively support the
US Fifth Army, especially on Monte Oggioli, blasting defensive positions, troop
concentrations, roads, and motor transport, and cutting rail lines between
Parma and Piacenza.

THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather cancels bombing operations, limiting missions to weather
reconnaissance.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather grounds A-20s and medium bombers; fighter-bombers,
operating on a reduced scale bomb Bologna and hit roads and rail lines at 4
locations.

FRIDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, A-20s and medium bombers are again grounded by weather;
fighter-bombers, hampered by weather, fly 52 sorties in the afternoon, cutting
rail lines leading S from Milan.

SATURDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 72d Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO (attached to Seventh Army), moves from
Vesoul to Epinal, France with L-5s.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s bomb road and railroad bridges in the Po Valley at Piacenza,
Voghera, Sesto Calende, Lonate Pozzolo, Galliate, Cittadella, Borgoforte, and
Tortona; B-26s hit fuel dumps at Cremona, and bridges at Padua, Turbigo, and
San Nazzaro; XII Fighter Command fighters hit motor transport, rail lines,
roads, bridges, and rolling stock in the Po Valley; HQ 62d Troop Carrier Group
moves from Galera Airfield to Malignano Airfield.

OCTOBER 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

SUNDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   HQ 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group and the 15th, 23d and 32d
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons are assigned to HQ Fifteenth AF,
completing the full establishment of 21 heavy bomber groups, 7 fighter groups,
and 1 reconnaissance group, as authorized in the War Department directive of 23
Oct 43.  Weather permits only photo and weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s and B-26s attack bridges, fuel dumps, factory, and barracks
in C and W Po Valley, including 3 attacks on Piacenza while XII Fighter
Command's A-20s hit a fuel dump and bivouacs and fighter-bombers blast guns and
communications in the mountainous battle areas between Florence and Bologna;
the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, moves from Rosignano to
Pisa with Mosquitos.

MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Unfavorable weather again cancels bombing missions and limits operations to
weather reconnaissance. The 885th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Fifteenth AF
(attached to Mediterranean Allied Air Forces), begins a movement from Maison
Blanche, Algeria to Brindisi, Italy with B-24s (the squadron transports
supplies to partisans and drops leaflets in the MTO).

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather grounds medium bombers and restricts fighters to
reconnaissance and patrols; during the night of 1/2 Oct A-20s bomb targets of
opportunity in the Po Valley; HQ 27th Fighter Group and the 522d, 523d and
524th Fighter Squadrons move from Loyettes, France to Tarquinia with P-47s.

TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   "A" Flight of the 121st Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO, moves from Lyons to
Vittel, France with L-4s and L-5s (squadron is based at Pomigliano, Italy).

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   For the eighth consecutive day bad weather prevents bombing operations.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers continue to pound road and rail bridges and fuel
dumps in the Po Valley; A-20s, fighter-bombers, and fighters of the XII Fighter
Command hit fuel dumps, rail lines, and transportation in the Valley and
support US Fifth Army forces in the battle areas in the N Apennines S and SW of
Bologna and N of the Arno River Valley; the 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d
Troop Carrier Group, moves from Galera Airfield to Malignano Airfield with
C-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   327 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb the Munich W, Germany
marshalling yard. In Italy, around 400 other heavy bombers, attack the rail
line in the Trento-Mezzaselva area covering 50+ miles (80+ km) of the Brenner
route, Aviano Airfield, Avisio viaduct, and railroad and road bridges at
Pinzano al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Latisana, Casarsa della Delizia,
Mezzocorona, Ora, and San Dona di Piave. In Greece, 39 P-51s strafe Tatoi,
Kalamaki, and Eleusis Airfields. Other P-51s escort Mediterranean Allied
Tactical Air Force (MATAF) C-47s and fly reconnaissance.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather restricts medium bombers to attacks on 2 bridges at
Bistagno and Villafranca d'Asti; fighter- bombers closely support ground forces
fighting in the Loiano-Quinzanod'Oglio- Sassoleone areas, and hit
communications N of the battle areas; HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and the
84th, 85th and 86th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Follonica to
Rosignano Airfield with A-20s; HQ 79th Fighter Group and the 86th and 87th
Fighter Squadrons move from Southern France to Iesi with P-47s.

THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather causes the recall of heavy bombers.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 4/5 Oct A-20s bomb targets of opportunity in
the battle area in the mountains S of Bologna and N of the Arno River Valley;
during the day weather grounds medium bomber wings and the XII Fighter Command;
the 8th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Galera
Airfield to Malignano Airfield with C-47s; the 85th Fighter Squadron, 79th
Fighter Group, moves from Southern France to Iesi with P-47s.

FRIDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 121st Liaison Squadron, AAF MTO, moves from Pomigliano to Florence,
Italy with L-4s and L-5s ("A" Flight is at Vittel, France).

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Weather cancels bombing operations; in Greece, 35 P-38s strafe airfields at
Sedhes, Megalo Mikra, Megara, Eleusis, and Tatoi, and 55 P-51s strafe Kalamaki
airfield.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather cancels all operations of the medium bomber wing and the
XII Fighter Command. In France, the 34th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron,
XII Tactical Air Command (attached to Provisional Reconnaissance Group), moves
from Dijon to Azelot with F-5s.

SATURDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   "D" Flight of the 121st Liaison Squadron, AAF, MTO, moves from Florence,
Italy to Vittel, France with L-4 and L-5s and joins "A" Flight.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 350+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the Lobau and Schwechat oil refineries
and Winterhafen oil depot in the Vienna area; nearly 30 others hit targets of
opportunity in Hungary including marshalling yards at Szombathely and
Zalaegerszeg. 330+ B-24s, escorted by P-38s and P-51s, attack marshalling yards
at Nove Zamky, Czechoslovakia and Komarom, Hungary and airfield at Gyor,
Hungary. 6 B-17s escorted by 54 P-51s, evacuate US airmen from Czechoslovakia
to Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again grounds the medium bombers; fighter-bombers hit guns
and troop concentrations in the battle area, which extends over a wide front S
of Bologna in the region of Monte Stanco, Monte Cauala, Monte Castellaro, and
Monte Ceei, and communications to the N; the 12th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th
Troop Carrier Group, moves from Brindisi to Pomigliano with C-47s.

SUNDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance and sea-search missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather forces medium bombers to cancel missions; XII Fighter
Command fighters are airborne to support ground forces over the battle area and
abort all missions; HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and the 28th Troop Carrier
Squadron move from Brindisi to Pomigliano with C-47s. In France, the detachment
of the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group [attached to 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)]
operating from Dijon with F-5s returns to base at Valence.

MONDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather restricts operations to weather reconnaissance
missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again grounds the medium bombers; fighter-bombers, and
fighters hit roads, rail crossing, transport and other targets in the Bologna
and Sabbioso areas; the 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment
Group (Light), moves form Follonica to Rosignano Airfield with A-20s.

TUESDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Italy, almost 170 B-17s and B-24s attack 4 marshalling yards at Treviso
and Mestre and bridges at Susegana and San Dona di Piave plus rail lines in
surrounding areas; about 90 fighters provide support in the Udine-Treviso area;
350+ other heavy bombers are forced to abort a mission because of weather.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers are again grounded due to weather; fighter-bombers,
though also hampered by weather, manage to closely support ground forces,
particularly at Monte delle Formiche where US 85th Infantry Division elements
are stopped short of the the crest, and attack communications N of the battle
area in the N Apennines; the 11th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier
Group, moves from Brindisi to Pomigliano with C-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, about 180 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb Vienna S
ordnance depot, Graz motor works, S and SW areas of Vienna, the towns of
Hirtenberg and Enzesfeld, the marshalling yard at Zeltweg, the Dravograd,
Yugoslavia railroad bridge on the Yugoslav-Hungarian boundary, and in Italy,
railroad and highway bridges at Cesara, and Trieste harbor; 250+ heavy bombers
fail to complete missions because of bad weather; 18 P-51s strafe targets in
the Bratislava, Czechoslovakia and Budapest, Hungary areas, including supply
dumps, and trains and destroy 17 airplanes at Esztergom landing ground,
Hungary; 37 other P-51s strafe Prostejov Airfield, Czechoslovakia and targets
of opportunity in the surrounding area, destroying nearly 30 aircraft and
trucks, locomotives, and railroad cars. HQ 5th Photographic Reconnaissance
Group moves from San Severo to Bari, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, despite bad weather medium bombers attack bridges and supply dumps
in the Po Valley; fighter- bombers and fighters closely support ground forces
in the Apennine Mountains between Florence and Bologna where fierce fighting
rages on Monte delle Formiche, Livergnano escarpment, Monte delle Tombe, Gesso
ridge, and Monte Battaglia; also hit are communications behind the battle area
and as far W and N as Genoa, Turin, and Savona; the detachments of the 16th and
35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group, operating from Istres,
France returns to base at Ciampino with C-47s.

THURSDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Around 700 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter support, pound ammunition and fuel
dumps and depots, bivouac area, barracks, vehicle repair shop, munitions
factory and targets of opportunity in the Bologna, Italy area (Operation
PANCAKE) supporting the US Fifth Army offensive in that sector. 160 P-51s
strafe the mainline railroad and Danube River traffic in the Vienna,
Austria-Gyor, Hungary-Budapest, Hungary areas and strafe Seregelyes Airfield,
Hungary, disrupting traffic and destroying many enemy airplanes.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers, supporting the US Fifth Army, attack
communications, supply dumps, and bivouac and barracks areas S of Bologna;
fighter-bombers and XII Fighter Command fighters, mainly in support of the US
Fifth Army, blast supply dumps, gun positions, troop concentrations, and
communications in the high country S of of Bologna while the Desert Air Force
(DAF) gives similar support to the British Eighth Army in the Rimini area.

FRIDAY, 13 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   650+ fighter escorted B-17s and B-24s bomb oil refineries at Blechhammer,
Germany and Vienna/Floridsdorf, Austria; motor works, locomotive shops, and
marshalling yard at Vienna and Graz, Austria; Banhida, Szekesfehervar and Papa,
Hungary; and Hranice and Mezirici, Czechoslovakia; some of the escorting
fighters strafe railroads, roads, and an airfield in the areas of Balaton Lake,
Hungary; Neusiedler Lake and Vienna, Austria; and Prostejov, Czechoslovakia;
other fighters strafe roads, railroads, and Danube River traffic in the
Vienna-Gyor, Hungary- Budapest, Hungary areas.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather cancels all medium bomber operations except for attacks on
4 targets (bridges and supply dumps) in the battle area S of Bologna;
fighter-bombers support US Fifth Army operations more successfully in the area,
hitting gun emplacements, troop concentrations, supply dumps, bridges, and
vehicles; the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group [attached to 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] moves
from Valence, France to Malignano with F-5s.

SATURDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   317 B-17s and B-24s hampered by bad weather, bomb oil refineries at
Blechhammer and Odertal, Germany, and several targets of opportunity including
marshalling yards at Bratislava and Nove Zamky, Czechoslovakia, and in Hungary,
Komarom and the Nove Zamky railroad bridges, Borzavar industrial area, and Ugod
military garrison; escorting fighters strafe airfields, rail and road traffic
and other targets of opportunity in the target areas; 52 B-24s bomb a railroad
bridge and marshalling yard at Maribor, Yugoslavia; 54 P-51s on a strafing
mission in the Balaton Lake area of Hungary attack airfields at Szekesfehervar
and Seregelyes; 55 P-38s escort MATAF C-47s carrying airborne forces to Megara
Airfield, Greece.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather cancels all medium bomber operations; 100+ fighters
and fighter-bombers pound troop concentrations, gun positions, supplies,
bridges, roads, and rail lines S, of Bologna where hard fighting is taking
place in the Monterumici, Livergnano, and Gesso ridge areas.

SUNDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s bomb bridges in the W Po Valley; B-26s hit bridges in the E
part of the Valley, and have excellent success bombing a railway fill at
Ossenigo, trapping 300+ railway cars N of the target; fighters and
fighter-bombers concentrate their efforts toward support of ground forces along
a wide front in the mountains S of Bologna; HQ 63d Fighter Wing moves from
Bastia, Corsica to San Pietro.

MONDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Nearly 600 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escort, hit targets in Austria and
Czechoslovakia; in Austria, they hit a tank factory, tank assembly plant, and
aero engine works at Steyr, benzol plant and ordnance depot at Linz, plus
alternate targets and targets of opportunity, including Graz, Neudorf aircraft
engine factory, Trieben, Linz, Graz, Villach, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, and Sankt
Veit an der Glan; in Czechoslovakia, they hit the Brux synthetic oil refinery,
and armament works in Plzen. 20+ P-51s and P-38s fly photo and weather
reconnaissance missions and sea patrol; 29 P-38s escort MATAF C-47s
(transporting airborne troops) to Greece and back to Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bomber operations are cancelled by bad weather; A-20s and
fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, bridges, gun positions, road, rail
lines, and vehicles in the battle area, particularly in the Monte Belmonte
vicinity.

TUESDAY, 17 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   330+ heavy bombers attack the oil refinery at Blechhammer S, Germany and the
industrial area of Vienna, Austria, plus alternate targets and targets of
opportunity including marshalling yards at Banhida, Nagykanizsa and
Szombathely, Hungary; Strass and Graz, Austria; and Maribor, Yugoslavia, a
railroad bridge at Maribor, a rail line at Furstenfeld, Austria, and targets of
opportunity scattered throughout the Balkans. P-51s escort a C-47 picking up
personnel at Valjevo Airfield, Yugoslavia, a B-17 carrying a photo crew to
Rumania (to photograph Ploesti), and several C-47s transporting personnel to
Araxos Airfield, Greece.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather cancels all medium bomber operations and limits
fighter-bombers to limited sorties in the battle area S of Bologna, hitting
roads, rail lines and bridges; A-20s during the night of 16/17 Oct on armed
reconnaissance over the Po Valley bomb targets of opportunity and cause
explosions on N edge of Ravenna.

WEDNESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   38 P-38s dive-bomb Vinkovci, Yugoslavia. 41 P-51s escort C-47s to Greece.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, most medium bomber missions are aborted because of weather, but
B-26s effectively hit Castel San Pietro dell'Emilia warehouses and a railroad
bridge at Padua; fighters and fighter-bombers, operating on restricted schedule
due to weather, offer effective close support to ground forces in the mountains
S of Bologna and hit communications targets in the Bologna and Modena areas;
during the night of 17/18 Oct A-20s on armed reconnaissance bomb lights and
vehicles E of Bologna.

THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Twelfth AF redesignates HQ XII Fighter Command as HQ XXII Tactical Air
Command following a reorganization period during which the XXII Tactical Air
Command was temporarily referred to as "X" Tactical Air Command and "X-Ray"
Tactical Air Command, to distinguish it from HQ XII Fighter Command around
which it was formed.
   In Italy, B-26s attack the Mantua causeway, a railway fill at Ossenigo, and
bridges at Calcinato and Peschiera del Garda; a Luftwaffe fighter attack NW of
Mantua accounts for 2 B-26s lost and 1 missing; at least 2 of the attacking
fighters are destroyed; B-25s attack bridges in the Milan area at Lonate
Pozzolo, Cameri, and Magenta; fighter-bombers of the XXII Tactical Air Command
hit targets in support of ground forces, concentrating on the Monte Grande
area, and attack rail lines and bridges N of the battle zone. On the night of
18/19 Oct A-20s hit targets of opportunity during armed reconnaissance in the
Genoa and Bologna areas.

FRIDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   480+ B-17s and B-24s attack an oil refinery at Brux, Czechoslovakia, oil
storage at Regensburg, an airfield at Bad Aibling, and marshalling yard at
Rosenheim, Germany and marshalling yard at Innsbruck, Austria, motor transport,
armament plants, and ordnance works at Milan, Italy, plus scattered targets of
opportunity. P-38s and P-51s escort the Brux, Czechoslovakia and Regensburg,
Germany missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, the weather clears, permitting for the first time in several days
a maximum effort by medium bombers which attack 12 bridges and railroad fills
in the Po Valley; fighter- bombers of the XXII Tactical Air Command, operating
on full scale, blast gun positions, troop concentrations, supply dumps, and
communications targets in close support of the US Fifth Army's drive on Bologna
from the S; the fighter- bombers concentrate on approaches to the Monte Grande
area to prevent counterattacks.

FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Hungary, 104 B-24s with fighter escort attack marshalling yards at Gyor
and Szombathely; almost 100 P-38s and P-51s strafe Szombathely and Seregelyes
Airfields and rail lines between Sajoszentpeter to Ipolyszog.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   B-26s, in the day's only medium bomber mission in Italy, attack Nervesa
della Battaglia railroad bridge and causeway; fighters and fighter-bombers
operate in close support of US Fifth Army forces S of Bologna and
fighter-bombers also hit communications in N Italy as far N as Verona and as
far W as Turin; during the night of 20/21 Oct A-20s bomb targets of opportunity
during intruder missions N of battle area.

SUNDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance flights.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather grounds all medium bombers and A-20s; fighters and
fighter-bombers, flying less than 20 sorties, hit rail lines and trains in N
Italy; the 7th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from
Galera Airfield to Brindisi with C-47s.

MONDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Around 500 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Skoda armament works at Plzen,
Czechoslovakia, and in Germany, a marshalling yard at Rosenheim, industrial
area at Plauen, aircraft engine plant at Munich, diesel engine factory at
Augsburg, and oil storage depot at Regensburg, and communications targets in N
Italy including a marshalling yard at Bressanone, bridges at or near Casarsa
della Delizia, Pordenone, Santo Stino di Livenza, and Maniago, and rail line
running N to the Brenner area; fighters escort missions to Germany and
Czechoslovakia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; fighters and fighter-bombers,
although cancelling many operations, cause much damage to transportation,
destroying or damaging numerous locomotives, railroad cars, and motor
transport, and damaging vessels in the Savona, Turin, Padua, and Genoa areas;
HQ 86th Fighter Group and the 526th Fighter Squadron move from Grosseto to Pisa
with P-47s.

TUESDAY, 24 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Weather cancels all offensive operations.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather grounds the medium bombers; 300+ XXII Tactical Air Command
fighters and fighter-bombers attack targets in support of the US Fifth Army S
of Bologna and hit communications and shipping in the Turin-Genoa and E Po
Valley areas, destroying 14 locomotives and 100+ railroad cars; during the
night of 23/24 Oct A-20s attack targets of opportunity in the Po Valley.

WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Weather again limits operations.
   In Austria, 3 B-17s bomb a Klagenfurt aircraft factory and Sankt Veit an der
Glan marshalling yard. 5 P-38s complete 3 weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again grounds medium bombers; fighter-bombers blast guns,
vehicles, and communications in the battle area S of Bologna while fighters
destroy 20+ locomotives in the Piacenza area; the 10th Troop Carrier Squadron
moves from Brindisi to Pomigliano with C-47s.

THURSDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Weather curtails operations; 7 B-17s bomb a marshalling yard at Innsbruck,
Austria.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Weather suspends all operations.
   The 527th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves from Grosseto to Pisa,
Italy with P-47s.

FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to 5 weather reconnaissance flights.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Weather curtails operations; fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance in the
Genoa-Novi Ligure-Turin area hit communications and transportation targets.

SATURDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather again limits operations; 10 B-17s bomb a Klagenfurt, Austria
aircraft factory; 6 P-38s fly reconnaissance missions, during the early part of
the night; 8 B-17s bomb Municb W, Germany marshalling yard; 1 bombs Erlsbach,
Austria.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather again grounds the medium bombers, and restricts the
XXII Tactical Air Command; fighter-bombers and fighters, flying 65 sorties,
attack vehicles and trains in the Turin-Milan-Genoa area.

SUNDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Germany, 35 of over 155+ B-24s dispatched with fighter escort, bomb
Munich W marshalling yard; the remainder and 670 other bombers, dispatched
against targets in S Germany, abort the mission due to bad weather. In Austria,
30 P-38s, after escort duty, strafe communications lines from Wels to Kienberg
destroying 17 locomotives and several other road and rail transportation
targets.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again restricts operations; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighter-bombers fly 15 sorties against railroad targets in the Po Valley.

MONDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1944

ARMY AIR FORCE, MTO:
   The 16th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy, Special), AAF, MTO, begins a
movement from Foggia, Italy to the US; the squadron flew combat in the MTO and
ETO with B-17s as a radar detection and countermeasures unit from Sep 43 to Sep
44.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   During the night of 30/31 Oct, 3 B-24s bomb a marshalling yard at
Klagenfurt, Austria, P-38s fly reconnaissance missions, while bad weather
cancels all other operations.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again grounds the medium bombers and limits XXII Tactical
Air Command fighter-bombers and fighters to 51 sorties against scattered
targets in the Po Valley. In France, the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command (attached to Provisional Reconnaissance
Group), moves from Dijon to Azelot with F-6s.

TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   P-38s fly photo and weather reconnaissance; 174 B-24s, dispatched against a
target in Yugoslavia, are forced to return because of weather. The 885th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Fifteenth Air Force (attached to Mediterranean
Allied Air Forces), arrives at Brindisi, Italy from Algeria with B-17s and
B-24s (the squadron transports supplies to partisans and drops leaflets in the
MTO).

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-26s hit a bridge and causeway at Nervesa della Battaglia and
bridges at Montebello and Piazzola sul Brenta; fighter-bombers attack guns and
positions in the battle area S of Bologna in the Apennines, and communications
and shipping targets in the Po Valley and on the Po River.

NOVEMBER 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

WEDNESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 320+ B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escorts, bomb diesel and
ordnance works, and marshalling yard at Vienna; also hit are marshalling yards
at Graz, a tank factory at Kapfenberg, targets of opportunity including
marshalling yards at Gussing, Ljubljana and Cakove, Yugoslavia, and scattered
communications targets in S Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Yugoslavia; several
fighters strafe road and rail transport targets and troops in the Gyor,
Hungary-Parndorf and Neusiedler Lake areas.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, operations are again curtailed by bad weather; however, fighters
and fighter-bombers successfully attack bridges, rail lines, roads, vehicles,
and trains in the C Po Valley and hit scattered targets elsewhere in N Italy;
the 525th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves from Grosseto to Pisa
with P-47s.

THURSDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather curtails operations. In Austria,  5 B-17s bomb the Moosbierbaum
oil refinery, while 2 others hit an airfield N of the city and bomb Klagenfurt.
6 P-38s fly weather reconnaissance missions.  All other operations are
cancelled.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, clouds over the Po Valley prevent medium bomber operations; XXII
Tactical Air Command aircraft are also grounded due to unserviceable fields and
bad weather over Italian battle areas.

FRIDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 46 B-17s and B-24s, in an operation adapted to bad weather and
flying without escort, bomb Vienna S ordnance depot, Moosbierbaum oil refinery,
Munich W marshalling yard in Germany, Klagenfurt aircraft factory, the towns of
Innsbruck and Graz, and the rail line SE of Graz; the bombers attack
individually, depending on cloud cover for protection; 30+ other heavy bombers
abort due to clearing weather.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Heavy clouds over most of N Italy begin to disperse; medium bombers are
still grounded but fighter-bombers manage to fly 8 sorties against gun
positions in mountains S of Bologna, Italy.

SATURDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   715 B-17s and B-24s with fighter escorts pound oil storage at Regensburg and
marshalling yards at Munich and Augsburg, Germany, the main marshalling yard
and a benzol plant at Linz, Austria, a troop concentration at Podgorica,
Yugoslavia, as well as attacking several alternate targets and scattered
targets of opportunity including marshalling yards at Wels and Kufstein,
Austria, Erding Airfield, Germany, railroad targets in and near Rosenheim,
Germany, and the towns of Strass and Muhldorf, Austria.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, 200o+ B-25s and B-26s of the 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium) hit
railway and road bridges in the Brenner Pass; 130+ B-25s of the 57th
Bombardment Wing strike communications in the W Po Valley, cutting at least 4
bridges; fighters and fighter-bombers of XXII Tactical Air Command concentrate
on communications targets and trains in the Po Valley and defenses in the
battle area S of Bologna; some XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft hit guns on
the N Italian coast, some hit a rocket launching site and communications N of
battle area, and 4 P-47s bomb a Milan hotel where Adolf Hitler is rumored to be
staying.

SUNDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   500 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna, Austria in
the largest operation against a single target during World War II; 10 other
heavy bombers bomb about 20 scattered targets of opportunity and 1 alternate
target, the Kapfenberg, Austria tank works; 139 P-38s and 198 P-51s provide
escort; 16 of the fighters strafe targets of opportunity in the target area; 42
other B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb troop concentrations at Mitrovica and
Podgorica, Yugoslavia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers, flying 300+ sorties, bomb bridges in the Brenner
Pass and in the NE Po Valley to interdict the Germans' 2 main supply routes
from the N; fighters and fighter- bombers hit defenses and forces in the battle
areas in the N Apennines S of Bologna and attack communications targets to the
N as well as in battle zone.

MONDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 580+ fighter- escorted B-17s and B-24s bomb the Moosbierbaum oil
refinery and Vienna S ordnance depot, alternate targets of Maribor, Yugoslavia
marshalling yard, the Kapfenberg steel works and the Deutsch Wagram and Graz
marshalling yards, and the railroad power sub station at Bolzano, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers strike electric transformers and converters,
railway bridges and railway fills on the rail line through the Brenner Pass;
fighter-bombers and fighters again hit troops and gun positions in the
battlelines S of Bologna and communications targets N of the battle area.

TUESDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   550+ B-17s and B-24s attack Maribor and Alipasin Most, Yugoslavia and
Brunico, Italy marshalling yards; the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna,
Austria; the Brenner Pass railroad route; railroad bridges at Pinzano al
Tagliamento, Casarsa della Delizia, Mezzocorona, Ora, and Albes, Italy; and
troop concentrations at Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Prijepolje, and Mitrovica,
Yugoslavia; fighters escort all operations except the attacks on troop
concentrations; in Yugoslavia, 124 P-38s strafe troop concentrations at
Podgorica and roads and railroads near Raska, between
Visegrad-Prijepolje-Sjenica and from Sjenica to Novi Pazar.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   The Adjutant General officially orders the de facto action of 19 Oct
redesignating HQ XII Fighter Command to HQ XXII Tactical Air Command. In Italy,
medium bombers of the 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium) aid the Royal Air Force's
(RAF's) Desert Air Force (DAF) in supporting the British Eighth Army's attack
on Forli; the 57th Bombardment Wing continues an interdiction campaign against
railway supply lines in NE Italy; fighter-bombers closely support US Fifth Army
forces astride the Idice River in the mountains S of Bologna and bomb
communications N of the Apennines, scoring many hits on bridges between
Piacenza and Bologna.

WEDNESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Yugoslavia, 34 B-24s bomb troop concentrations at Mitrovica, Prijepolje,
and Sjenica.  Heavy cloud over the targets forces 70+ others to abort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers strike the rail line in the Brenner Pass and other
lines running into Italy from the NE and bomb bridges in the C and W Po Valley,
damaging several and destroying the bridge at Mantua; fighters and
fighter-bombers hit communications in the Bologna area, but concentrate most of
their operations against bridges and rail lines in the Parma area in an effort
to disrupt battle area supply lines.

THURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to 4 weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather hampers medium bombers operations in the Po Valley as
7 of 9 missions abort; in the 2 others, bridges in the Valley are hit; fighters
and fighter-bombers fly less than 100 sorties, but successfully strike road and
railroad bridges in the Bologna-Modena areas.

FRIDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Continued bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance missions and
reconnaissance escorts by P-38s.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   HQ and HQ Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command; HQ and HQ Squadron, 64th
Fighter Wing; 324th Fighter Group; 415th Night Fighter Squadron; 11th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron; and several signal, fighter control, and service units
are relieved from duty with the Twelfth AF and assigned to the European Theater
of Operations, US Army (ETOUSA) and the First Tactical Air Force (Provisional).
   In Italy, medium bombers continue the interdiction campaign against railways
in NE Italy, principally the Brenner Pass, Brenta River and Po River bridges,
rail ferry at Ostiglia, and several dumps; fighter-bombers hit rail targets and
guns at several points in Po Valley.

SATURDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   220+ heavy bombers attack marshalling yards in Rosenheim, Germany; Salzburg,
Villach, Linz, and Lienz, the railroad at Zell am See and highway bridge at
Sillian, and Wurzen Pass, Austria; railroad bridges at Pinzano al Tagliamento,
Latisana, and Casarsa della Delizia, and Aviano Airfield, Italy. Fighters
escort all missions except the bridge attacks. Bad weather grounds 100+ other
heavy bombers, and another 320+ are recalled before reaching their target
areas.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers strike at railroad bridges in NC and NE Italy,
damaging a bridge at Piazzola sul Brenta and knocking out 2 spans of a bridge
at Latisana; fighter-bombers continue support of ground forces S of Bologna,
attack vehicles, trains, and communications in the Genoa-Alessandria area, bomb
Villafranca di Verona Airfield and set most of the area aflame; during the
night of 10/11 Nov A-20s bomb Ghedi Airfield and targets of opportunity in the
Po Valley. The 17th and 18th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group,
cease operating from Istres, France and return to base at Ciampino, Italy with
C-47s.

SUNDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Italy, 107 fighter-escorted B-24s strike at bridges at Ora, Albes, and
Mezzocorona, a viaduct at Avisio, plus the alternate target of Casarsa della
Delizia railroad bridges and targets of opportunity in NE Italy including the
Latisana railroad bridge and an airfield to the N.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; fighter-bombers support ground
forces in the N Apennines and hit railway targets in the Po Valley, cut rail
lines in 18 places and destroy or seriously damage 8 bridges; during the night
of 11/12 Nov A-20s hit motor transport, Bergamo Airfield, and the Po River
crossing at San Benedetto Po.

MONDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   During the night of 12/13 Nov 14 B-17s and B-24s hit the oil refinery at
Blechhammer, Germany; 5 others hit alternate targets and targets of opportunity
at scattered locations including Gleiwitz, Germany, Karvina, Poland and
Ruzomberok and Vac, Czechoslovakia. Day operations are limited to
reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 12/13 Nov A-20s bomb ammunition dumps, pontoon
bridge, and targets of opportunity in the Po Valley; a thick overcast covering
N Italy the following morning vastly curtails medium bombers which attack only
a railway bridge at Padua; fighter-bombers continue to hit communications N of
the battle area and also the oil pipeline across the Po River at Ostiglia.

TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather restricts operations to fighter-bomber attacks by 17
P-47s on rail lines and road N of the battleline.

WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 80 B-17s and B-24s attack a benzol plant at Linz, marshalling
yard at Innsbruck, and troop concentration at Novi Pazar, Yugoslavia (all
primary targets), and make single bomber attacks on Wolfsburg, Salzburg,
Hieflau, the Kapfenberg steel works, Schwaz, Ybbs, and airfields near Linz, and
Passau, and Traunstein, Germany; fighters escort the Novi Pazar, Yugoslavia
raid.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Twelfth AF loses HQ 63d Fighter Wing; HQ 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium); HQ
17th and 320th Bombardment Groups (Medium), and 310th Service Group to European
Theater of Operations, USA Army (ETOUSA).
   Bad weather cancels all operations except for reconnaissance by 4 P-47s and
attack by 2 on railroad bridge and rolling stock in the Po Valley.

THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   550+ B-17s and B-24s attack Munich, Germany W marshalling yard and troop
concentrations at Visegrad, Yugoslavia as well as an alternate target of
Innsbruck, Austria marshalling yard and scattered targets of opportunity; 250+
P-51s and P-38s support the attack on Munich; 26 other P-38s strafe transport
targets on roads between Sarajevo and Novi Pazar, Yugoslavia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers fly 250+ sorties against rail lines in the Brenner
Pass and other parts of NE Italy destroying the railroad bridge at Sacile;
fighter-bombers in support of the British Eighth Army advance to the NW of
Forli, hit guns, ammunition supplies, and other military targets, attack
pipeline crossings of the Po River at Ostiglia and Ferrara, and pontoon stores
near Ficarola, as well as hitting communications targets N of the battle area;
the 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves from Tarquinia to Pisa
with P-47s.

FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   630+ B-17s and B-24s attack Blechhammer S oil refinery, Germany; Floridsdorf
oil refinery in Vienna, Austria; the industrial area in and near Vienna;
marshalling yards at Maribor, Yugoslavia; Gyor, Hungary; Graz, Salzburg,
Villach, and the town of Sankt Johann in Tirol, Austria; plus several scattered
targets of opportunity.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   For the first time in several months the Twelfth's medium bombers attack
targets in Yugoslavia, hitting bridges along the Brod-Zagreb-Maribor railroad;
in Italy, medium bombers also hit rail bridges and viaducts in the NE,
concentrating on the Brenner Pass where ground haze and smoke screen at the
Avisio viaduct hamper the attacks; fighter-bombers of the XXII Tactical Air
Command cut rail lines, hit larger concentrations of railroad cars, and blast
several ammunition and fuel dumps N of the battleline below Bologna;
fighter-bombers closely supporting ground forces also hit guns and other
military targets in battle area.

SATURDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   680+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna, Austria
and the Korneuburg, Austria oil refinery; airfields at Aviano, Villafranca di
Verona, Udine, and Vicenza, Italy; and troop concentrations at Visegrad,
Yugoslavia; 126 P-38s escort the Austrian missions while 12 others bomb the
troop concentrations at Visegrad, Yugoslavia; 186 P-51s provide cover for raids
on the Italian airfields and sweep target areas; 50+ other fighters fly
reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort. The 37th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, arrives at Naples, Italy from
the US with F-5s (first mission is 3 Feb 45).

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   Medium bombers bomb bridges at Pizzighettone, Romano di Lombardia,
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Migazzone, Casarsa della Delizia, and Casale
Monferrato, Italy; and at Zidani Most, Yugoslavia and also pound the
Brod-Ljubljana, Yugoslavia railway, the principal German escape route in the
Balkans; fighter-bombers continue successful attacks on rail lines, dumps,
guns, and pipelines in the N Apennines and the Po Valley, XXII Tactical Air
Command claiming 100+ train cars, 8 locomotives, and nearly 75 vehicles
destroyed.

SUNDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   500+ B-24s and B-17s bomb the Schwechat and Vosendorf oil refineries,
Winterhafen oil depot and Lobau oil plant in Vienna, Wiener-Neudorf aircraft
factory, Linz benzol plant, and Horsching Airfield, Austria; Gyor, Hungary and
Maribor, Yugoslavia marshalling yards, plus several scattered targets of
opportunity; 19 P-38s dive-bomb troop concentrations at Prijepolje and Novi
Pazar, Yugoslavia, while 126 P-51s strafe roads and railroads between Esztergom
and Veszprem, Hungary and Vienna, Austria, and also attack Veszprem and
Tapolcza Airfields in Hungary; other fighters cover heavy bomber and
reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, fog and low clouds force cancellation of missions against W Po
Valley targets and limit fighter- bombers to a midday attack on rail lines,
guns, troop concentrations, motor transport, and other military targets in and
near the battle area S of Bologna. During the night of 18/19 Nov A-20s on armed
reconnaissance bomb Ghedi Airfield and targets in the Bologna, Ferrara, Mantua,
Cremona, and Parma areas.

MONDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   192 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Blechhammer S oil refinery in Germany and the
town of Prerov, Czechoslovakia, a target of opportunity; 284 others encounter
bad weather and attack several alternate targets and targets of opportunity in
Czechoslovakia including the town of Zlin and marshalling yards at Brno,
Hodonin, and Breclav and other targets of opportunity in C and SE Europe. In
Yugoslavia, 92 B-24s attack the Sarajevo marshalling yard, and railroad bridges
at Doboj, Zenica, and Fojnica and 11 P-38s divebomb a marshalling yard at Brod,
while 43 others strafe communications between Esztergom and Veszprem, Hungary,
and Vienna, Austria; other fighters fly bomber escort, reconnaissance, and
reconnaissance escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 19/20 Nov 44 A-20s attack Po River crossings,
airfields and lights in the Po Valley. During the day bad weather prevents
medium bombers from successfully attacking targets; fighter-bombers able to
operate during the late morning destroy 2 factories E of Modena, and supply
dumps near Parma, and cause large explosions in a dump near San Felice del
Benaeo.

TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   25 B-24s bomb troop concentrations, railroad, and highways at Novi Pazar and
Cacak, Yugoslavia. 155 P-38s dive-bomb communications lines in S Yugoslavia,
destroying several vehicles, blasting roads at Vucitrn, Rogatica, Tvrdosevo,
and Duga Poljana, hitting bridges at Vrbasici, and Kukavica and causing a
landslide at Pavlica; 87 P-51s strafe communications over wide areas of S
Yugoslavia; other fighters fly reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s blast defenses and troop concentrations in the Faenza area
as the British Eighth Army's 5 Corps opens a general offensive N towards that
town; fighter-bombers hit targets in the US Fifth Army battle area S of
Bolonga, in the Po Valley, and in NE Italy; particularly good results are
achieved against supply dumps and a rail line in the Brenner Pass is cut in 3
places.

WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   205 B-17s and B-24s hit E and W marshalling yards at Munich, Germany; 214
others fail to reach primaries because of impenetrable weather and attack
alternates and targets of opportunity including marshalling yards at
Regensburg, Germany, Salzburg, Lienz, and Villach, Austria and several targets
of opportunity at scattered points; fighters provide escort to Munich, Germany.
In Italy, 88 B-24s attack a bridge at Ferrara and rail line at Carbola, while
39 P-38s bomb the Osoppo motor transport depot.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s again pound defenses in the Faenza area as British Eighth
Army forces push into that area from the SE; fighter-bombers and fighters fly
nearly 350 sorties against rail lines in the Po Valley and very successfully
hit guns, vehicles, troops and other targets in the US Fifth Army battle area S
of Bologna, and supply dumps and pipelines N of the battle area.

THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Yugoslavia, 81 B-24s attack road and railroad bridges at or near Zenica,
Brod, and Doboj; 30 P-38s bomb the Doboj marshalling yard, 13 hit Doboj road
and rail bridge, and 4 attack, but miss, a bridge at Maglaj; 13 B-24s and B-17s
drop supplies at points in Yugoslavia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather restricts operations; medium bombers over the Faenza
area abort due to overcast, P-47s hampered by low clouds over the Apennines
Mountains, fly only 16 sorties, against rail lines S of Bologna, but succeed in
cutting the lines in 6 places.

FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   P-38s and P-51s fly photo and weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s, in support of the British Eighth Army, bomb defenses in the
Faenza area; bad weather restricts fighter-bombers to 2 missions which damage a
road bridge and cut rail line S of Modena.

SATURDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   During the night of 24/25 Nov, 40+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the Linz benzol
plant, Klagenfurt, and Innsbruck, Austria, and Munich W W marshalling yards in
Germany, and 2 unidentified targets of opportunity; during the day P-38s fly
photo and weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather again hampers operations; 3 fighter groups fly only 53
sorties against railway targets and targets of opportunity N of the US Fifth
Army battle area, cutting lines at 14 places and destroying several vehicles.
The 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, moves from Pisa to
Pontedera, Italy with Beaufighters.

SUNDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   39 P-38s fly an offensive sweep over Seregelyes Airfield, Hungary and strafe
nearby road and rail traffic; other fighters fly reconnaissance and escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, a slight improvement in the weather permits fighter-bombers to
increase operations;  P-47s closely support ground forces in the US Fifth Army
battle area in the Apennines S of Bologna and cut rail lines in over 30 places
N of the immediate battle zone.

MONDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   P-51s and P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions; bad
weather cancels other operations.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather grounds all missions except 5 weather reconnaissance
sorties.

TUESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance flights.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s hit railroad bridges at Magenta, Torre Beretti, and Casale
Monferrato, and an abandoned ship in La Spezia harbor; fighters and
fighter-bombers support ground forces in the battle area in the Apennines S of
Bologna, hit communications targets N of the battle zone, and cut railroad
lines in 40+ places in the Brenner Pass and NC Po areas.

WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Weather limits operations to photo and weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 28/29 Nov A-20s fly armed reconnaissance over
the Po Valley, dropping incendiaries at several points including bridges at
Piacenza and Castel Maggiore and the airfields at Ghedi and Villafranca di
Verona; during the day weather grounds the medium bombers however, fighters and
fighter-bombers can operate, and blast enemy communications on the Brenner line
and in the NC Po Valley, cutting rail lines in numerous places and destroying a
large number of vehicles and railroad cars.

THURSDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria during the night of 29/30 Nov, 18 B-17s bomb a benzol plant at
Linz; 3 others hit marshalling yards at Villach, Klagenfurt, and Gmunden. B-24s
hit marshalling yards at Munich, Germany and Innsbruck, Austria. During the day
P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance over Yugoslavia, Italy, and Germany.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s bomb bridges at Romano di Lombardia and Crema; fighters and
fighter-bombers attack communications in the Po Valley, cutting rail lines and
destroying a large number of railroad cars and motor transport; targets also
include bridges, guns, and buildings.

DECEMBER 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

FRIDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   During Dec 44, HQ 305th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Bari to
Torremaggiore, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s attack 4 railroad bridges in the W Po Valley, damaging the
bridges at Voghera and Torre Beretti; the XXII Tactical Air Command hits motor
transport and train cars at several points in N Italy and hits rail lines over
a widespread area N of the Apennines Mountains, including the Brenner Pass
where lines are cut at 3 points; the 524th Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter
Group, moves from Tarquinia to Pontedera with P-47s.

SATURDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Around 500 B-17s and B-24s attack Blechhammer N and S and Odertal, Germany
oil refineries; the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna and the marshalling yard
at Strasshof, Austria; Celldomolk, Hungary marshalling yard; and Medvedov,
Czechoslovakia highway bridge, plus scattered targets of opportunity in C and E
Europe; fighters fly escort and carry out reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers hit several bridges in N and NE Italy, scoring
effective hits on 2 bridges across the Piave and Brenta Rivers and 4 on the
Brenner line; fighters and fighter- bombers attack communications in the Po
Valley and support US Fifth Army forces in the battle area S of Bologna; on the
night of 1/2 Dec, A-20s hit Ghedi Airfield and targets of opportunity in the NC
Po Valley and trains on the Brenner line; HQ 350th Fighter Group and the 347th
Fighter Squadron move from Tarquinia to Pisa with P-47s.

SUNDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 85 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Vienna SE freight depot, Linz
industrial area, marshalling yards at Innsbruck, Villach, and Klagenfurt, and
various targets of opportunity; P-38s and P-51s escort the bombers and fly
reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort. 14 B-17s and B-24s drop supplies in
Yugoslavia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather hampers operations; many missions are aborted; medium
bombers score effective hits only on a bridge E of Mantua; the 57th and 350th
fighter Groups fly 60 sorties against targets in the US Fifth Army battle area
S of Bologna and against communications in N Italy; during the night of 2/3
Dec, A-20s bomb lights throughout the Po Valley; the 345th Fighter Squadron,
350th Fighter Group moves from Tarquinia to Pisa with P-47s; the 522d and 523d
Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, moves from Tarquinia to Pontedera, Italy
with P-47s.

MONDAY, 4 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   26 P-38s bomb a railroad bridge at Zenica, Yugoslavia. 14 B-17s and B-24s
drop supplies in N Italy; P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance and escort
missions. Bad weather prevents heavy bomber operations.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s hit defenses in the Bagnaeavallo and Faenza areas and an
ammunition dump at Tortona; XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft hit targets in
the US Fifth Army battle area S of Bologna in the Apennines Mountains and
communications to the N of the battle zone. During the night of 3/4 Dec, A-20s
again bomb targets of opportunity in the Po River Valley; the 7th Troop Carrier
Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Tarquinia to Brindisi with C-47s.

TUESDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather again cancels heavy bomber operations. P-38s, escorted by P-51s,
fly photo and weather reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather severely restricts operations; medium bomber missions
are cancelled except for a weather reconnaissance flight; fighters and
fighter-bombers hit a few rail lines and other communications targets in the E
Po River Valley but devote a major effort to closely support the US Fifth Army
in the battle area S of Bologna; HQ 79th Fighter Group and the 85th and 86th
Fighter Squadrons move from Iesi to Fano with P-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   270+ B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards at Graz, Austria; Szombathely,
Sopron, Nagycenk, Hegyeshalom, and the town of Zalaegerszey, Hungary; Maribor,
Yugoslavia; and Bratislava, and Devinska Nova Ves, Czechoslovakia, plus
scattered targets of opportunity; P-51s and P-38s escort the bombers, cover
Royal Air Force (RAF) supply missions to Yugoslavia, and strafe Vienna,
Austria.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, heavy cloud cover, increasing in density throughout the day,
severely restricts operations; medium bombers are grounded except for 1
reconnaissance sortie; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers
fly less than 100 sorties, attacking communications in the Brescia, Verona, and
Mantua areas; the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, moves from Iesi to
Fano with P-47s; the 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group
(Light), moves from Rosignano Airfield to Grossetto with A-20s.

THURSDAY, 7 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 31 B-17s and B-24s make a predawn raids on Salzburg, Klagenfurt,
Villach, and the Lienz marshalling yards, communications targets in Wolfsberg,
Spittal an der Drau, Mittersill, and Sankt Veit in Defereggen, and Trieste,
Italy. P-38s, and P-51s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather grounds medium bombers; fighters and fighter-bombers,
despite the weather, attack railroads, roads, bridges, rolling stock, and other
targets over widespread areas of N Italy, from La Spezia to N of the Po River
Valley; bad weather obscures most primary targets but alternate targets are
fairly successfully hit.

FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, again hitting communications targets in a predawn attack, 24
B-17s and B-24s bomb the Moosbierbaum oil refinery and Graz, Klagenfurt, and
Villach marshalling yards. Later in the day P-38s fly photo and weather
reconnaissance missions; P-51s escort the photo reconnaissance flights over the
Vienna area, W Hungary, and N Yugoslavia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again greatly curtails operations; 4 P-47s on weather
reconnaissance of the W Po River Valley attack trains, claiming the destruction
of 4 locomotives and damage of almost 100 train cars. During the night of 7/8
Dec 3 A-20s bomb targets of opportunity in Po River Valley.

SATURDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   170 B-17s and B-24s attack the Linz industrial area and Villach marshalling
yard in Austria, an oil refinery at Regensburg, Germany, and several armament
works at Plzen, Czechoslovakia. P-51s and P-38s escort the heavy bombers and
fly reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; fighters and fighter-bombers
attack communications in the C and NE Po River Valley.

SUNDAY, 10 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   550+ B-17s and B-24s dispatched to bomb oil targets in Germany are recalled
because of overcast weather; 6 B-17s manage to bomb the Klagenfurt, Austria
marshalling yard as a target of opportunity.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers bomb bridges, fills, and a tunnel in the Brenner
Pass area, hit the Fidenza bridge and barracks at Bologna, and support the
British Eighth Army in the Faenza area, bombing defensive positions; XXII
Tactical Air Command targets are again predominantly communications N of the US
Fifth Army battle zone; the 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment
Group (Light), moves from Rosignano Airfield to Grosseto with A-20s.

MONDAY, 11 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   In Austria, 435 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escorts, attack the
Moosbierbaum oil refinery, and in Vienna, the Matzleinsdorf railroad station, S
ordnance depot, and SE goods depot; alternate targets include the Kapfenberg
tank works, the town of Tulln, Parndorf Airfield, Graz marshalling yard, and
various targets of opportunity.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers hit the Motta di Livenza bridge; fighters and
fighter-bombers hit occupied areas, houses, guns, and defensive positions S of
Bologna and attack railroad targets in the C Po River Valley; during the night
of 10/11 Dec, A-20s attack vehicles, lights, railway lines, roads, river
ferries, and pontoon bridges in the Po River Valley; HQ 47th Bombardment Group
(Light) moves from Rosignano Airfield to Grosseto.

TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   75 B-17s and B-24s bomb Blechhammer S oil refinery, Germany;
Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia; and several targets of opportunity; around 40
P-51s and P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather cancels all except 11 weather reconnaissance sorties.

WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Weather restricts operations to reconnaissance and escort missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again hampers operations; the only B-25 bombing mission of
the day aborts; fighters and fighter-bombers attack mainly occupied areas and
buildings in the battle area S of Bologna, communications throughout the C Po
River Valley, and coastal defense and AA guns S of La Spezia.

THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather cancels all operations except 1 P-38 reconnaissance mission.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers score effective hits on railroad bridges at Parma
and Chivasso; fighters and fighter-bombers attack rail lines N of the immediate
battle area and in the Po River Valley and hit guns and occupied areas on the
US Fifth Army front S of Bologna.

FRIDAY, 15 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   330+ B-17s and B-24s attack main marshalling yards, main station, and
freight yard at Linz, marshalling yards at Amstetten, Salzburg, and Innsbruck,
Austria, and Rosenheim, Germany (all primary targets) and targets of
opportunity including the Klagenfurt and Waldhausen marshalling yard and the
town of Sankt Johann in Tirol, Austria; the Schwaz, Austria marshalling yard is
also hit (due to malfunction of instruments). 250+ P-38s and P-51s provide
escort

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25s, attack ammunition dumps at Cremona, Bologna, and Pavia, a
fuel dump at Castellar Guidobono, and severely damage railway bridges S of Asti
and at Voghera; fighters and fighter-bombers again hit targets in the US Fifth
Army battle area S of Bologna and communications in the C Po River Valley and
make numerous rail cuts throughout the area (especially on the vital Brenner
Line) destroying many vehicles and train cars; several bridges are hit, 3 being
left impassable.

SATURDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Almost 600 B-24s and B-17s bomb a synthetic oil plant at Brux and armament
works at Plzen, Czechoslovakia; a benzol plant at Linz and marshalling yards at
Innsbruck and Villach, Austria; plus several scattered targets of opportunity;
P-38s and P-51s escort operations to Czechoslovakia; other P-38s fly
reconnaissance missions while P-51s fly reconnaissance escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighter-bombers hit occupied buildings and guns in the battle zone S of
Bologna, continue attacks on the Brenner rail line effecting 16 rail cuts, hit
and set aflame 3 vessels in La Spezia drydock, and blast several railroad
bridges N of the battle area.

SUNDAY, 17 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   550+ B-17s and B-24s bomb oil refineries at Blechhammer N and S and Odertal,
Germany, and Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia; marshalling yards at Gross
Strehlitz, Germany, and Villach, Saak, Salzburg, and Wels, Austria. P-38s and
P-51s escort the bombers, fly reconnaissance, strafe the railroad running from
Rosenheim, Germany into Austria, and escort photo reconnaissance operations;
enemy fighters appear in force for the first time since Aug 44; the AAF claims
55 air victories.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, bad weather again cancels medium bomber operations; the XXII
Tactical Air Command hits communications in the Po River Valley and attacks the
Trento marshalling yard on the rail line running N to the Brenner Pass.

MONDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   560+ B-17s and B-24s hit oil refineries at Blechhammer N and S and Odertal,
Germany; Floridsdorf refinery at Vienna, Austria; Moravska-Ostrava,
Czechoslovakia; and Auschwitz, Poland; marshalling yards at Graz and Studenzen,
Austria, and Sopron, Hungary; the Bruck an der Mur, Austria industrial area,
and various scattered targets of opportunity; fighters fly escort and
reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again curtails operations; the XXII Tactical Air Command
fighters and fighter-bombers hit communications in the E Po River Valley,
scoring particular success against lines in the N part of the Valley in the
Padua region, and support US Fifth Army operations in the battle area S of
Bologna.

TUESDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   400+ B-24s and B-17s attack Blechhammer N and S, Germany and
Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia oil refineries; Rosenheim, Germany rail
sidings and marshalling yard; marshalling yards at Strasshof, Villach,
Klagenfurt, Graz, and Innsbruck, Austria, and Sopron, Hungary; the town of
Sternberk, Czechoslovakia; and several scattered targets of opportunity; P-38s
and P-51s fly reconnaissance missions and escort the bombers.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather grounds the medium bombers; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighters and fighter-bombers, unable to reach the primary targets further N,
hit communications N of the battle area but concentrate mainly on gun positions
in the La Spezia area.

WEDNESDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   For the fifth consecutive day, bombers hit Axis oil production; 454 B-17s
and B-24s hit the Regensburg, Germany oil refinery, marshalling yards at Linz,
Salzburg, and Villach, Austria, and armament works at Plzen, Czechoslovakia;
300+ P-38s and P-51s provide escort; 40+ others fly reconnaissance and
reconnaissance-escort missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, continued bad weather limits operations; medium bombers are
grounded and overcast prevents fighters and fighter-bombers to reach many
targets in the C and E Po Valley however, the Brenner rail line is cut S of
Trento and trains are successfully attacked near Padua and Treviso; armed
reconnaissance in the W Po Valley accounts for several locomotives, vehicles,
and other targets of opportunity, and railroads, bridges, and targets of
opportunity are hit in the La Spezia and Genoa areas; during the night of 19/20
Dec, A-20s attack lights at 5 locations in the E Po Valley.

THURSDAY, 21 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   84 B-24s bomb the main marshalling yard and railroad sidings at Rosenheim,
Germany; 40 P-51s provide escort; 40+ P-38s fly photo reconnaissance and
reconnaissance escort missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 20/21 Dec, A-20s attack highways, secondary
roads, and targets of opportunity in the N and C Po Valley. During the day, bad
weather grounds the medium bombers and reduces fighter and fighter-bomber
operations of the XXII Tactical Air Command however, aircraft are effective
against railroad targets in the Treviso area and damage Ghedi Airfield; trains,
vehicles, guns, and buildings are attacked in or near Mantua, Milan, Turin, La
Spezia, Padua, and Mestre.

FRIDAY, 22 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance, supply dropping, and
escort missions over Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Yugoslavia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 21/22 Dec, A-20s hit scattered targets in the
Po Valley; clearing weather during the day enables medium bombers to hit
bridges at Torre Beretti, Pontetidone, and at Chiari; fighter-bombers
concentrate on railway targets, destroying 5 bridges in N Italy and making
numerous cuts in rail lines, several on the important Brenner Pass line; motor
transport and guns N of the battle area are also successfully attacked.

SATURDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Bad weather again limits operations to reconnaissance, supply dropping, and
escort missions over C and E Europe.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 22/23 Dec, A-20s on intruder patrols hit Po
River crossings and targets of opportunity; bad weather during the day grounds
the medium bombers; fighter- bombers operate in the W Po Valley, mainly against
railway communications; an airfield near Milan is attacked, and several enemy
airplanes destroyed.

SUNDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Unfavorable weather curtails all but photo and weather reconnaissance
missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, weather again holds operations to a minimum however, P-47s carry
out very successful raid on Thiene Airfield, causing considerable damage and
destroying several enemy airplanes; other missions find little activity and
result in the destruction of only a few trucks and trains.

MONDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   253 B-17s and B-24s hit the Brux, Czechoslovakia synthetic oil plant and
main marshalling yard at Wels, Austria; 145 others bomb marshalling yards at
Plattling and Rosswein, Germany; and in Austria, Villach, Hall, Graz, and 2 at
Innsbruck and Innsbruck AA position and rail siding; 30+ fighters escort the
Brux-Wels- Rosswein-Plattling raids; other P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance
escort and cover Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (MATAF) B-25s on a
Yugoslav supply run.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, clearing weather in the Po Valley permits fighter-bombers to
successfully cut numerous rail lines running N to the Brenner Pass, and lines
in the E Po Valley, destroying or damaging several locomotives; HQ 87th Fighter
Wing moves from Caserta to Florence.

TUESDAY, 26 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Around 380 B-24s and B-17s bomb Odertal, and Blechhammer S, Germany, and
Auschwitz, Poland oil refineries, a railroad bridge at Ora and viaduct at
Avisio, Italy, plus scattered targets of opportunity; 26 P-38s bomb railroad
bridge at Latisana, Italy; P-38s and P-51s escort the bomber missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, good weather permits operations in force for the first time in
several days; during the night of 25/26 Dec, A-20s bomb the area between the
battleline and Bologna, attack lights, motor transport, and railroads in the Po
Valley, and hit Vicenza Airfield; during the day medium bombers concentrate on
the Brenner Pass and hit Padua, San Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Ponte di Piave,
Dolce, the Pordenone railroad bridge, and 2 dumps in the Bologna area;
fighter-bombers bomb railways, especially the Brenner line, bridges in the Po
Valley, and NE Italy, support US Fifth Army forces S of Bologna and in the
Serchio River Valley where the Germans begin a series of counterattacks, and
hit shipping at La Spezia and Genoa.

WEDNESDAY, 27 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   520+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the Vosendorf oil refinery, Linz ordnance depot,
marshalling yards at Wiener- Neustadt, Villach, Klagenfurt, Bruck an der Mur,
and Graz, Austria; and Maribor, Yugoslavia and Feldbach, Austria railroad
junction; Brenner rail line; Venzone viaduct, and Vipiteno and Bressanone
railroad bridges in Italy. 44 P-38s bomb bridges at Latisana and Casarsa della
Delizia, Italy. 29 P-51s strafe railroad targets between Vienna and Linz,
Austria. Other fighters fly 250+ escort sorties.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, on the night of 26/27 Dec, A-20s bomb pontoon bridges at Ficarolo,
road bridges at Ostiglia and Castel Maggiore, San Benedetto Po crossing, Turin
Airfield, and several Po Valley roads; medium bombers blast 3 Brenner area
routes leading into Austria and Yugoslavia, and bomb 2 supply dumps in the
Bologna area; fighter-bombers devote their main effort to support the US Fifth
Army in the Serchio Valley area where counterattacks are being successfully
halted; other fighter- bombers hit communications in the Po Valley and escort
medium bombers and C-47s dropping supplies to Italian partisans.

THURSDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   480+ B-17s and B-24s attack Regensburg oil storage and freight yard in
Germany; marshalling yards at Zwettl, Amstetten, Kallwang, Hieflau, and
Salzburg, Austria; oil refineries at Kralupy nad Vltava, Kolin, and Pardubice
and oil storage and sidings at Roudnice nad Labem and the Nymburk railroad
bridge at Kammern, Czechoslovakia; the Brenner rail line; and Bressanone and
Venzone railroad bridges in Italy; P-38s and P-51s fly 350+ sorties in support
of the bombers.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers attack troop concentration at Aulla, a dump at
Mirabello Monferrato, 3 rail lines from Austria and Yugoslavia into NE Italy by
hitting bridges at Chiusaforte and Bodrez, Yugoslavia, and the viaduct at
Borovnica; XXII Tactical Air Command planes support the US Fifth Army in the
Serchio Valley, where counterattacks are repulsed, hit roads and bridges, and
destroy a number of vehicles, many at a motor transport depot near Aulla which
the fighters bomb and strafe; during the night of 27/28 Dec, A-20s bomb lights
and motor transport at almost 50 places throughout the Po Valley and Brenner
area.

FRIDAY, 29 DECEMBER 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
   Almost 450 B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards at Innsbruck and
Salzburg, Austria; Passau, Rosenheim, and Landshut, Germany; and 2 at Verona,
Italy; the Brenner rail line, and in Italy, the Castelfranco Veneto and Udine
locomotive repair depots, and Bressanone railroad bridge. 14 P-38s bomb road a
bridge S of Rosenheim, Germany. Around 300 other P-38s and P-51s fly escort and
reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 28/29 Dec, A-20s pound motor transports, ferry
crossings, road bridges, rail line, and targets of opportunity throughout NW
and NC Po Valley; medium bombers during the day blast the Rovereto bridge and
Lavis viaduct, attack several bridges in NE Italy destroying the center span of
the bridge at Pordenone, and severely damage the bridge at Motta di Livenza;
fighter-bombers concentrate on communications targets in the extreme W end of
the battle area, with excellent results on bridges in the Massa Lombarda area
and destroy numerous vehicles and several locomotives.

SATURDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, medium bombers concentrate a major effort on rail line running N
to the Brenner Pass, hitting a fill at Dolce and bridges at Calliano, Ala, and
Santa Margherita d'Adige, and ammunition dump at Bologna; fighter-bombers blast
road bridges, support the US Fifth Army SE of La Spezia, and hit bridges in the
Mantua and Modena areas; during the night of 29/30 Dec, A-20s hit targets of
opportunity at numerous N Italian locations, including Ghedi Airfield, and a
train S of Mantua.

SUNDAY, 31 DECEMBER 1944

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy during the night of 30/31 Dec, A-20s again fly intruder missions,
bombing a variety of targets, including motor transport, bridges, and railroads
in the Po Valley; during the day medium bombers hit the bridge at Bodrez,
railroads at Piazzola Sul Brenta and near Padua, and a dump; the XXII Tactical
Air Command fighter- bombers destroy 5 and damage 2 railway bridges in the Po
Valley, cut rail lines at numerous places, destroy several locomotives, and
destroy or damage 200+ railway cars.