Date: 29 march 1944

MISSION #12

BASE: San Pancrazio

TARGET: Bolzano, Italy--Marshalling Yard and bridge (The main rail line between Italy and Germany, near the Brenner Pass and at a high elevation.)

SHIP: Sakinshack …256

ESCORT: 17 P-38’s from the 14th Fighter Group 49th Squadron

BOMBS: 10 x 500 lb. Demolition Bombs from 21,000 feet.

ENEMY AIRCRAFT: 12 ME-109’s seen near Padova, 10 ME-109’s near Verona, and 10 ME-109’s near Prento while just off target. None of these aircraft made any attacks on our formation as the top cover provided by the P-38’s proved too effective. God bless our little friends, the P-38’s.

FLAK: Intense Volume, Accurate Aim, Heavy Caliber

RESULTS: Target was well covered with hits near the bridges and in the marshalling yard. Photo showed ten direct hits at choke point of marshalling yard. Bridges looked severely damaged. The entire target was smoke covered as our formation made its rally.

SORTIES: 1 Total: 15

MISSION TIME: 6:00 Total: 76:20

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NARRATIVE: As we approached the Yugoslavia coastline from Adriatic Sea the cumulus clouds were built up to 30,000 feet. We were not able to get above the clouds. This particular day, the plan was to fly through these clouds in formation. It seems like we were in the clouds for hours, but it couldn't have been very long. We could not see the planes in formation off our wingtips. That will make an old man out of you fast. Upon coming out of the clouds, B-24s were circulating around like a stirred-up hornet’s nest.

This mission took us over some of the most ruggedly beautiful country in Europe, with the Swiss border and safety only a few miles to the north of the target.

HOBO QUEEN (42-64353) of the 725th didn’t come back.