MISSION and TARGET: Cover
bomb run of three groups of Composite Wing, then circle and cover
withdrawal of four groups of 47th Wing. Target: Toulon Harbor,
submarine, and arsenal.
AIRCRAFT and CHRONOLOGY: 54
took off by 0905 hours; 7 returned early (6 mechanical, 1 escort,
3 of these get sorties); 47 over target from 1140 to 1230 hours.
All planes refueled in Corsica on return and 2 remain there overnight.
45 down at base by 1926 hours.
ROUTE: Base to
Ponza Island - 135 miles; to Rendezvous 25 miles SW of Toulon
- 395 miles; to target - 25 miles; to Popgo A/B - 180 miles; to
Ponza Island -215 miles; to base - 135 miles. Total miles 1300
(including 215 miles allowance for circling at rendezvous and
in target area).
RENDEZVOUS, FORMATION, and ASSUALT:
82nd was 20 minutes early at rendezvous,
arriving even before B-17's. Circled waiting for Composite Wing
of B-24's and took them in to the target with 95th Squadron on
left and 2,000 feet above, 97th Squadron on right and 2,000 feet
above, 96th Squadron with P38-J's to rear and 4,000 feet above.
B-24's apparently made first bomb run
onwrong axis and all B-24 groups made wide circle for a second
run on the target. The 96th Squadron made 360's at first SW of
target area and then East of the target area, picking up the 47th
Wing withdrawing. 97th Squadron circled widely over Ciano before
escorting 47th Wing out. 95th Squadron circled widely West of
target area and came back underneath bombers, having lost altitude
in brief fight. All squadrons were at redezvous and in target
area for approximately 70 minutes. They left the bombers 100 miles
out to sea on withdrawal at 20,000 feet and at 1305 hours.
RESULTS OF BOMBING: Not
accurately observed because of smoke screen and haze.
STRAFING: None
ENEMY AERIAL ACTIVITY: Two
Fw190's kept dipping out of clouds above one group of B-24's in
target area, finally making pass at B-24's without apparently
spotting P-38's behind. Major Phillips, formation leader, overtook
one of these two E/A and shot it down as it was climbing, straight
and level for cloud cover. Other Fw190 saw P-38's in time and
dove for deck. Two other S/E E/A were seen and inconclusively
pursued.
FLAK: Medium to
intense, accurate, heavy in target area, main from NE section.
SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS: (a)
Enemy Shipping: At least two M/V's proceeding East along coast
15 miles West of Toulon - seen from 20,000 feet at 1200 hours.
Considerable shipping in harbor proper and several ships apparently
leaving harbor to escape bombing - seen from 22,000 feet at 1150
hours. (b) Smoke screen surrounded target area in great circle
- open space in center, and NE wind blowing smoke to SW.
WEATHER: (a) En
route - overcast over Italy and Corsica, clear over water. (b)
Over target - haze to 10,000 feet, visibility about 15 miles,
and solid overcast at 25,000 to 28,000 feet.
AIR-SEA RESCUE: None.
RADIO: Fairly
satisfactory. One bomber heard throwing everything overboard to
lighten ship, up to and possibly including heaviest crew member.
FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT LOST: (a)
one B-24 went down over target with three chutes opening. (b)
One B-24 exploded over target with eight chutes opening. (c) One
B-24 (see per RADIO) heard lightening ship.
ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED BY OTHERS:
None.
VICTORIES and LOSSES: Destroyed:
1 - Fw190 - Major Herbert L. Phillips.
SORTIES: 47 -
effective, 3 - non-effective: Total - 50 sorties.
FORMATION and FLIGHT LEADERS: 95th
Squadron; Major Phillips (formation leader), Lts. Johnson, DiLaure,
and League. 96th Squadron; Lts. Dolezal, Dean, Mouss, Capt. Trammell.
97th Squadron; Lts. Tate, Chatfield, Phillips, Eckerman, and Engh.
COMMENTS: (a)
Formation leader feels various P-38 groups should, if possible,
be staged at different A/D's in Corsica since refueling at Eastia
took over three and one-half (3 1/2) hours. (b) Lt. Thomas had
one engine throw a rod near rendezvous. Engine caught on fire
but he side-slipped fire out and reach Ajaccic safely for one
engine landing.
CORRECTION OF TELEPHONE REPORT: None.
ADD UNDER - AIRCRAFT and CHRONOLOGY:
