Robert N. McLean, Jr. Mission on September 4, 1944

September 4, 1944 – Monday

“More bridge work”

Mission #46 – target – railroad bridge at Trento in Italy.  Takeoff 0925 Landing 1615 (0650) Total combat hours (262:35)  Load – 6000 lbs ( 6-1000).  Purpose – to shatter German supply lines in order to hamper shipments of supplies to the Gothic line, which allied armies have broken through.  Remarks:

1.     Bombing was done by seven ship box formations We led our box

2.     Flak was off to the left and ahead of us, but a sharp rally to the right avoided all of it.

3.     No fighters sighted

4.     Casualties none

5.     Statistics – total bomb tonnage (173,600 lbs)(86.8 tons)

6.     This should have been my 50th mission if the status quo remainder of July!!

7.     Bombing was excellent – 90% in the 1000 ft circle and 100% within 2000 ft.