ARMD RECCE RDS: O.1049 – AVELLINO – GROTTAMINARDA – O.1049. ALTERNATE TARGETS: AVELLINO OR… — Operations

Operational Record

Target: ARMD RECCE RDS: O.1049 – AVELLINO – GROTTAMINARDA – O.1049. Alternate targets: AVELLINO or BENEVENTO.
Duty: ARMD RECCE RDS: O.1049 – AVELLINO – GROTTAMINARDA – O.1049
Committed: 8 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: From 0310 Hrs LT to 0440 Hrs LT.
Airborne: 2245 hrs
Returned: 0303 hrs
From: Cuticchi
Map: SICILIA 1:500000 NE36/12, MESSINA 1:500000 NE38/14, NAPOLI 1:500000 NE40/14
Day / night: Night
Casualties: Nil.
Bombing: Medium level bombing from 8000/11000 feet on various courses. 48 x 250 G.P. 43 Det. 27 Pistols (Rods) 2 x 40 G.P. 43 Det. 38 Pistols.
Air defences: 2 bursts H/A/A seen NORTH O1049 – NOT at own a/c At 0334 Hrs LT T/E a/c seen NORTH of STROMBOLI – evaded. 6 flares EAST of MILAZZO at 0230 Hrs LT.
Results: Large explosion and fire started at 0400 Hrs LT in POMPEI area. SFERRO and Army beacons NOT seen.

Most aircraft unable to follow roads easily. 4/6 MET seen and others suspected in target area. Bombs dropped as follows: 5 x 250 – AVELLINO on road EAST of town. 10 x 250 – Roads near GROTTAMINARDA 6 x 250 – WEST of VALLATA 5 x 250 – on secondary Road SOUTH of ANDRETTA – started fire 4 x 250) 1 x 40) O.1049 18 x 250) 1 x 40) - Area LIONI secondary road Northwards and Main road N.W.