The operational report

Here is the verbatim operational ("S2") report from the mission of 25 April 1944:

DATE: 25 April 1944

TARGET: VARESE, ITALY - AIRCRAFT FACTORY

29 B-24''s took of to bomb Varese. 17 dropped 43 tons of bombs on marshalling yards at Ferrara, Riomaggiorie, and Piacenza.

FIGHTERS: Ferrara hit, bombs fell short at other targets.

FLAK: Slight, inaccurate, heavy at all targets.

FIGHTERS: 26 enemy aircraft attacked. After 30 minutes, attackers broken off by P-38's.

CASUALTIES: 2 B-24's by fighters, 10 chutes seen to open. 4 B-24's missing. 6 received minor damage by flak. 2 crew members wounded by flak. 2 crew members bailed out of #205 as plane went into a spin. Our Claims: 2 ME-109's, 1 FW-190 destroyed.

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This explains why Varese was targeted just five days later.