123456789101112

Operation No. 729

BRIDGE

12 aircraft

Operational Record

Committed
12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Airborne
0935 hrs
Returned
1205 hrs
From
Biferno
Map
ITALY - 1:100,000 Sheet 109 PESARO
Day / night
Day
12 Baltimores airborne at 1135 to attack FOSSOMBRONE R.R. BRIDGE at S041558. After R/v with a close escort of 4 Spitfires at ORTONA, formation set course at 1210 and bombed in boxes line astern from 12500’ on a course of 290º at 1248 hrs. Due to leader experiencing trouble with bomb doors during run-up, three further A/c of the first box jettisoned bombs on leader 4 miles N.W. of target in open country. Remaining two bombed target; results obscured by cloud, but possible overshoot into town. Pattern of second box difficult to observe due to 6-7/10 cloud at 11000 in target area - estimated left error of about 100 yds in open country. Slight H/A/A (accurate for 1st box) from IESI and target area. All A/c down by 1405 Hrs.