Operational Record
- Committed
- 12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
- Airborne
- 0520 hrs
- Returned
- 0715 hrs
- From
- Biferno
- Map
- ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 133 ASCOLI PISENNO
- Day / night
- Day
12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO L/G from 0820 Hrs to bomb SAN BENEDETTO RR Stn. After R/v with 223 Sqdn (leading) 21 Sqdn attacked in 2 boxes at 0920 Hrs on a course of 210º from 12000'. No. 2 box was flying line astern close to No. 1 box. The leaders bombs hung-up and he ascertained trouble and slight delay firing the Verey signal for the formation to bomb. Some a/c bombed early, bombs falling into the sea outside the Northern jetty, carrying into the harbour. Sticks straddled N.E. portion of target while another pattern was observed from the S.W. corner extending well into SAN BENEDETTO town. One a/c did NOT observe Verey light signal and bombed late, bombs falling into the sea after turn off. 2 x 500 MC and 4 x 250 bombs hung-up, jettisoned in sea 5 miles S.E. of target. All a/c landed back at base by 1015 Hrs. An area cover of 8 Spitfires was provided. Weather clear and visibility over target was clear with 2/10 Cirrus at 25000'. H/A/A intense and accurate was encountered over target, seven of the a/c being holed. 4 guns at B888866 – 2 guns B880686. Semi circe of guns around hills B850805 – B900810 – B895818 also guns? at B885845 – B910790 – B900828 & B907803.