15th AF HQ MISSION ASSESSMENTS
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Klagenfurt, Austria
Aircraft plant and airfield17 January 1944
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
15th Air Force command rates the results of the mission to Austria as outstanding. Despite heavy air opposition and flak, this priority target was seriously damaged by our bombers. Messerchmidt production is expected to be hampered by our work today.
Again, congratulations on a job well done.
Maj. General Nathan F. Twining
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. James A. Mortimer
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
19 January, 1944
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Prato, Italy
Marshalling Yards16 January 1944
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
Intelligence rates the mission to Prato as very good. The group's bombing percentage was particularly impressive, scoring 34% of bombs on target. Losses in crew and aircraft were particularly low.
Maj. General Nathan F. Twining
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. James A. Mortimer
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
17 January, 1944
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Florence, Italy
Marshalling yards
15 January 1944
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
Bomber Command evaluates mission results as very good. While the group's bombing score was a little low, a large number of enemy aircraft were damaged or destroyed. 15th Air Force command hopes to see bombing percentages increase in future missions. Losses in terms of equipment and men were unusually high on this mission.
Maj. General Nathan F. Twining
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. James A. Mortimer
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
17 Jan 1944
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Fiume, Italy
Oil Refinery
12 January 1944
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
15th Air Force command congratulates 88th Bombardment Group (Heavy) for its outstanding performance on 12 January, 1944 mission to Fiume. Bombers placed 23% of bombs on target, damaged or destroyed 61 enemy aircraft, and returned all aircraft to base in operating condition. Crew losses were minimal, with most casualties suffered being non-serious. The Commanding General has awarded a 15th Air Force Unit Commendation to the 88th Bombardment Group (Heavy) for it's performance, and has further recommended the group receive consideration for Presidential Citation.
Maj. General Nathan F. Twining
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. Harold T. Quaint
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Brod, Yugoslavia
Marshalling Yard
10 January 1944
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
Command evaluates subject mission results as excellent. As a group the 88th placed 20% of its bombs on target. Losses in crew and aircraft are acceptably low. This mission was quite successful and has done substantive damage to the enemy's transport capability.
Maj. General Nathan F. Twining
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. James A. Mortimer
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
12 Jan. 1944
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Piraeus, Greece
Dockyards
8 January 1944
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
Command evaluates subject mission results as good. The 88th Bomb Group continues to score well in bombing percentages, with 27.6% of bombs on target for B-17s that bombed the target. Reconnaissance photos indicate the Piraeus dockyards have received a heavy hit during the raid.
However, losses in aircraft and crews were rather high this mission, and several planes assigned to the mission failed to take off. Given the 88th's track record thus far, we expect this situation will not continue.
Maj. General Nathan F. Twining
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. James A. Mortimer
Operations Officer
15th Air Force12 January 1944
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Turin, Italy
Ball bearing factory
4 January 1944
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
HQ evaluates subject mission results as excellent. The Group's bombing effort caused extensive damage to the ball bearing factory. Gunnery results were excellent, severely damaging the Luftwaffe's fighting capability. In all, we consider this to be a substantive victory for the 15th Air Force.
The Commanding General has awarded a 15th Air Force Unit Commendation to the 88th Bomb Group (Heavy) for its successful raid on the ball bearing plant at Turin.
Maj. General Nathan F. Twining
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. Harold T. Quaint
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
8 January, 1944
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Padua, Italy
Marshalling Yard
30 Dec 1943
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
Reconnaissance and crew reports indicate that our mission to Padua was an unqualified success. Reports indicate that enemy transportation through Padua has been seriously disrupted, which will greatly aid our troops on the ground, and the mission cost the enemy dearly in fighter planes and crews destroyed. Our losses, though regrettable, are considered acceptable for this mission.
Maj. General James Doolittle
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. James A. Mortimer
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
2 Jan 1944
Top Secret
Eyes Only CO 88th Bomb Group
From: HQ 15th Air Force
Subject: Mission Evaluation
Sofia, Bulgaria
Marshalling Yard
16 December 1943
To: CO 88th Bomb Group
Sterparone Field - Foggia
Command evaluates subject mission results as good to excellent. The 88th Bomb Group scored well in the bombing, operational efficiency and gunnery evaluation categories. Air crew losses are considered high and are regrettable.
Maj. General James Doolittle
Commanding Officer 15th Air Force
By
Lt. Col. Harold T. Quaint
Operations Officer
15th Air Force
19 Dec 1943