HEADQUARTERS 459TH BOMB GROUP (H)
Office of the Commanding Officer
APO 520 U.S. Army

SUBJECT: Bombing Summary and Results of Missions 1-16 inclusive.
TO : All Personnel 459th Bombardment Group (H).

13 April 1944

Broadly speaking, the 15th Air Force has a 3-point program. One objective is the knocking out of airplane production in Southern Germany and Austria. Another aims at the Italian railway lines carrying artillery and other death-dealing weapons to the Germans battling our troops in the fox holes of Anzio and Cassino. A third is directed at the transport system carrying shells and sour kraut to the Germans on the Russian front. That you have been doing your part well is indicated by the attached report which you are urged to read in its entirety.
Higher headquarters has extended official commendation as follows:
General Arnold “…excellent results…Budapest and Steyr…”
General Spaatz “…to General Arnold’s commendation I want to add mine…”
General Eaher “…Attacks on the marshalling yards one of the best”
General Wilson “…Splendid bombing of Budapest…”
In addition the 304th Wing has singled out the 459th Group for special praise in connection with our bombing of Maniago, Bucharest and Bologna.
Whenever we have to go back to knock out a target our work is increased 100%. Let us make every effort to dispose of each target complete on our first trip there.

M.M. Munn,
Lt. Col., Air Corps,
Commanding.

TARGET: STEYR-DAIMLER PUCH A/C FCTY.
On 2 April 37 B-24’s of the 304th Bomb Gp rendezvoused with other units of the 15th Air Force in an attempt to destroy the Daimler Puch A/C Factory at Steyr.		Results shown by photo reconnaissance do not indicate any structural damage but 10 close misses are seen at South boundary of factory and craters in precint of plant.
TARGET: BUDAPEST MAIN M/Y
On 3 April 33 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Gp rendezvoused with other units of the 15th Air Force in an attack on the M/Y at Budapest.		Results were very good. Many tracks have been cut and considerable rolling stock derailed and damage in the M/Y and through traffic appears barely possible, but M/Y can be bypassed, as evidenced by trains moving or under steam at four or more points on lines skirting the M/Y. On the vicinity of the M/Y industrial damage is heavy, residential damage fairly heavy and scattered. The M/Y is well covered by craters which have cut sidings in well over 100 places and damaged at least 170 wagons. Oil Refinery completely inactive. Small buildings have been damaged and there are indications of fire and blast damage in the power and distillations plant.
TARGET: BUCHAREST M/Y
On 4 April 31 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Gp rendezvoused with other groups of the 15th Air Force in an attack on the M/Y’s and RR facilities of Bucharest.		The results were very good. Damage is seen to be heavy and widespread, the S.E. half of the Chitila M/Y and the Repair Shops having suffered particularly severe damage, and access through the yards is impossible. The line to Constant and the line from the Main M/Y’s to Giurgiu are cut in several places. The through lines from Bucharest to Targoviste and Ploesti are also cut. In addition to the severe damage to railways, much damage is seen in the vicinity including industrial installations and dwelling houses.
TARGET: BOLOGNA M/Y
On 7 April 34 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Gp rendezvoused with other groups of the 304th Wing in an attack on the rolling stock in Southwest one-third of Stazione Nupia M/Y at Bologna.		Results were very good. Many hits were seen on the choke point and many hits on rolling stock. Bomb strike photos show that the 459th Bomb Group completely smothered the target area with a heavy concentration of bombs. Trackage, rolling stock, and R.R. facilities were covered with hits. Other photos show strings covering much of the new central yard with heavy concentrations over track, rolling stock and R.R. facilities therein. Many hits were scored to West of target area hitting all branches of the “Y” at choke point of the yard.
TARGET: BAD VOSLAU ASSEMBLY PLANT AND A/D
On 12 April 38 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group rendezvoused with other groups of the 304th Wing in an attempt to knock out Bad Voslau A/D.		Results were fair. Accurate observation was obscured by smoke. Bomb strike photos show target area well covered. However many bombs struck north of the target. Three hangers to NW of A/D and barracks smothered with hits and received severe damage. Other hangars at north corner were obscured by clouds. The field was well covered.
TARGET: BUDAPEST-TOKOL A/D
On 13 April B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group rendezvoused with other Groups of the 304th Wing in an attack on target.		Results were good. Several strings seen to strike across landing strip, A/D and also hit in buildings NE of landing strip. Later photos show airfield and runway unserviceable at present and many E/A were destroyed and damaged on the ground.
TARGET: NIS EAST M/Y
On 15 April 38 B-24s of the 459th Bomb Group of the 304th Wing in an attack on Bucharest M/Ys, however, the target was completely overcast so Nis East M/Y was bombed.		459th Bomb Group’s results were poor, however, other Groups hits were well concentrated in target area with approximately 50 strikes in main part of yard and 4 hits on choke point causing extensive damage to rolling stock and trackage.
TARGET: TURNUL SEVERIN M/Y
On 16 April 33 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group rendezvoused with other Groups of the 304th Wing to bomb Brasov M/Y but due to bad weather bombed the secondary target.		Results were fair to unsatisfactory. Bombs of the first section fell into the Danube River, however, the second section hit the target, and considerable damage was done to the tracks, sheds and rolling stock. At the same time the A/D was being attack by another Group with very good results. Many a/c were destroyed and damaged on the ground.
TARGET: SOFIA M/Y
On 17 April 34 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group and other Groups of the 304th Wing took off to bomb Sofia M/Y.		Results were very good. Damage was extremely heavy, especially in the West and Main M/Ys, particularly in sidings where tracks are cut and lines further blocked by derailed stock. Railroad buildings and shops damaged. At least 9 AA gun positions have been knocked out, including a flak tower which was destroyed and another damaged. Considerable damage was done in residential and business sections of the city.
TARGET: TRIESTE/OPINCINA M/Y
On 20 April 39 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group took off to bomb target. 380 x 500 lb GP bombs were dropped from 19000 to 22300 ft.		Bombing was generally scattered and results difficult to observe due to cloud coverage over target area. Some bombs were over and to the left of the target while others were believed to have dropped in area SE of outskirts of Trieste. Only a few hits were observed in immediate target area, causing some damage to tracks on rail lines running between Monfalcone and Trieste.
TARGET: BELGRADE M/Y
On 21 April 38 B-24’s of the 459thh Bomb Group rendezvoused with other Groups of the 304th Wing in an attack on the Southeast portion of Bucharest M/Y. Target was overcast and Pathfinder equipment inoperative. As the las??? also overc???? returned to base when one A/C received a flak hit over Belgrade. This ship then jettisoned to lighten load and 3 others dropped when they saw his bombs falling. 34 A/C of the 459th Bomb Group followed suit.
TARGET: BAD VOSLAU A/D AND ASSEMBLY PLANT
On 23 April 388 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group rendezvoused with other Groups of the 15th Air Force in an attack on the A/D and Assembly Plant at Bad Voslau.		This mission was said to be one of the best jobs of bombing ever done and the 459thh Bomb Group was singled out for praise by Maj. Gen. Twining. “A superb job by the 459th Group.” The target was covered by an excellent concentration of bombs by all Groups. Heavy damage was done to all primary target and secondary targets; 4 assembly hangars are one-half destroyed by direct hits, 2 repair hangars are almost destroyed and the flight hangar is badly damaged. One large southeastern hangar and three sheds are destroyed. All stores and four sheds are damaged. All barracks are severely damaged or partially destroyed by direct hits. The runway is still serviceable but the northern part of the airfield is unserviceable. 9 a/c were damaged and 2 probably damaged.
TARGET: BUCHAREST M/Y
On 24 April 36 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group and other Groups of the 15th Air Force took off to bomb the M/Ys at Bucharest.		Results were good. Concentrated hits were seen in the northwest part of assigned M/Y, but numerous bombs were scattered in city. All R/R tracks entering Bucharest from Ploesti and Pipesti and all tracks leading to the line to the NW have been cut at a number of points by many craters. To by-pass the damage is impossible, however, repairs appear to have already been started. Siding tracks are isolated by craters at their NW choke point. The overpass is damaged but not out, and may be serviceable though the line is temporarily useless owing to craters further west. The locomotive roundhouse was damaged at 2 points.
TARGET: TURIN A/C FACTORY
On 25(?) April 37 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group rendezvoused with other Groups of the 15th Air Force in an attack on the Aircraft Factory at Turin.		Results as a whole were good although 459th’s were only fair. 23 craters seen on landing strip and whole of the east half of the airfield well cratered. 26 a/c were destroyed or damaged. In the main assembly shop at least 4 direct hits have penetrated the roof and exploded inside. Many other buildings have received direct hits while others damaged by blast.
TARGET: PORTO SAN STEFANO
On 28 April 36 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group rendezvoused with other Groups of the 15th Air Force for an attack on the harbor installations of Porto San Stefano. Since the rail lines between Rome and Northern Italy have been cut the Germans have been using this port to supply their troops in Southern Italy.		The results were good, however, many bombs fell harmlessly into the water. The port and railroad installations are completely covered. Considerable damage done to both railroad and to buildings in the town. The coast road alongside the harbor is cut as well as the island road.
TARGET: TOULOUS MUNITIONS FACTORY
On 29 April 30 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group rendezvoused with other Groups of the 15th Air Force in an attempt to destroy the munitions factory at Toulous, France.		Results were excellent. Good concentration of bombs were dropped in the target area and numerous explosions were observed. Several direct hits were scored on large munition building and also ???? hits on smaller surrounding buildings within the factory area. Extensive damage was done to plant and facilities. At least 5 direct hits on railroad tracks running to dock area just north of target. Scattered hits in southeastern area of munitions factory damaging several buildings. Another string of bombs was concentrated 3000 feet northeast of target area scoring several hits ???????? of 5 munition storage sheds.
TARGET: ??? ???????? M/Y
On 30 April, 20 B-24’s of the 459th Bomb Group and other Groups of the 15th Air Force took off to bomb the M/Ys at Milan		Another excellent job! Good concentration of bombs by all Groups on the west end of the M/Y. The east roundhouse was hit and several bombs struck an aircraft factory to the north of the yard. At of this ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????between M/Y and A/C factory. All through lines are blocked, sidings were hit and many cars destroyed. Heavy damage from fire and direct hits are seen to the aircraft works of S. A. Innocenti and to the industrial concern south of the M/Y.