21 Squadron War Diary
1000 hrs Pescara, Italy
24 Marauders in boxes of four aircraft each airborne from PESCARA during the day to attack Enemy strongpoints near RIMINI. First box straddled Northern portion of the target with an excellently spaced pattern; 2nd box all bombs in N.E. section. 3rd box bombed an area about 1000 yards N.W. of briefed pinpoint by mistake – direct hits on large buildings. Slight, inaccurate heavy A.A. from target area. Two aircraft returned with load due to bomb door trouble.The next three boxes attacked an area around R.835950. All bombs in Northern portion of target. Moderate, accurate, heavy A.A. encountered, and eight aircraft were holed. Leader of last box hit over target immediately after bombing and aircraft started spinning, eventually crashing in sea 5 miles S.E. of RIMINI. It was subsequently confirmed by Greek troops that three chutes left the aircraft. One failed to open and fell in the sea. One fell about 4 miles out to sea and nothing further was seen of it. The third fell about 50 yards off shore on the enemy side of the line and the occupant of the chute was seen to be rescued by presumably enemy troops. See copy of attached report by investigating officer. Crew :-Lieut. G. v.d. H. WHITEHOUSE and F/Sgt. J.E. CARTER (pilots); Lieut. C. van TROTSENBURG (observer); W.Os. N.H. SWALE, H. E. HORSCROFT, and J. WILSON (Air Gunners).Sortie Report No. 827. Appendix "L"W.O. PAXTON (gunner) reported for duty.