STRONG POINTS IN MARETH VILLAGE — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Strong points in MARETH village.
Duty: Medium level bombing attack on MARETH Village (TZ 5305)
Committed: 18 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 1303 to 1304 hrs.
Airborne: 0835 hrs
Returned: 1105 hrs
From: Zuara
Map: GABES 1: 500000 MDR 561/6631
Day / night: Day
Casualties: 14 A/C holed by Ack/Ack. One W.Op. Air Gunner, F/Sgt. JARVIS R.C. wounded in left forearm (A/C 862 D).
Bombing: Medium level bombing attack from 7500/8000 ft. 106 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods) (Two Hang-ups)
Air defences: Heavy, fairly intense, accurate Ack/Ack over target area. 4 H.A.A. Batteries seen firing North of MARETH. 1 H.A.A. Battery seen firing from Z 5414. 3 H.A.A. Guns seen firing from Z 5204.
Results: Nil.

The leading observer started his stick just short of MARETH Village. A few bombs fell short and the remainder of the leader's box fell on the village. No. 3 box dropped their bombs along the NE edge of the village and across approximately four batteries seen firing NORTH of the village. No. 2 Box straddled the WESTERN portion of the village, bombs bursting in streets and among buildings. 2 explosions seen WEST of the village, but no fires started. 1 direct hit on ROAD GABES-MARETH 1 very near miss on a small building.