Wednesday, 12 January 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): Colonel Archibald Y Smith assumes command of the XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command. In Italy, B-25's and B-26's bomb the Giulianova railway bridge and attack a dam and road bridge; A-20's hit San Donato; P-40's attack a vessel in the Krka River of Yugoslavia, hit enemy defensive positions at San Biagio Saracinesa, Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, Monte Trocchio, and Atina, and bomb Vallerotonda; A-36's attack the Avezzano railroad yards, a village near Atina, railroad facilities at Cisterna di Latina, and numerous trucks and train cars in the Rome area.

HQ 321ST BG War Diary: Lt. Thomas L. Blake, formerly of the 448th Bombardment Squadron, was appointed Group Bombardier and assigned to Headquarters.
Blake, Thomas L., 2Lt, bombardier Vincent, Frederick W., 2Lt, pilot, 447th BS

HQ 321ST BG Mission Summary: (Ops Order 185/mission 184) Group Mission # 186: A special target came in at the last minute—the Isoletta dam. We sent 18 planes to get that dam but on return, crews reported their bombs all around the target but no hits scored. We lost one plane to the heavy intense flak. We lost Lt. Fred Vincent of the 447th Bombardment Squadron. Two chutes were seen emerging from the plane.

Mission Report # 186, 12 January 1944
48. 321st Bombardment Group (M).
49. At 1245 hrs. 18 B-25’s taken off to bomb Isoletta Dam. 18 dropped 54x1000 lb. bombs with .1 and .025 fusing at 1400 hrs from 10/10,500 feet. 17 A/C returned at 1445. One A/C B-25 shot down by flak.
50. Bursts seen on all sides of target. No hits observed on dam. Two possible hits on road bridge just S. of dam. Hits reported on E road, bridge approach, as well as road junction ¼ mile W. of dam. 10 A/C holed; one shot down, seen to break in two at navigator’s compartment. Seen to crash at 41° 32’ N, 13° 52’ E, after being hit one minute past target. Two parachutes observed. One Spitfire seen to explode when hit by flak over target area, no chute seen.
51. Air--------None.
Ground---None.
Marine---None.
Flak------Six heavy guns along coastal road at G-1505; heavy, intense, accurate from
coast to target; firing from single guns. Heavy, intense, accurate at
Priverno; gun position at 41° 33’ N, 13° 43’ E (G-8534). Four guns heavy
position 900 ft. S of target in W. Bank of river.
52. Enroute and Return:----5/10 strato-cumulus at 6000 ft.; 7/10 altostratus at estimated
20,000 ft. Visibility 15 miles.
Target---------------------Clouds, clear over target. Visibility—Hazy, 15 miles.
53. None.

Flight leaders: Capt. Beeson, and Lt. Thomas.
Number of sorties – 18
Photos taken.

John H Haeberle