MEDIUM LEVEL RECCE AND BOMBING OF M/T MOVEMENTS ON ROADS AREA :– 1) CASERTA – BENEVENTO –… — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Medium level Recce and Bombing of M/T movements on roads area :– 1) CASERTA – BENEVENTO – AVELLINO – NAPLES 2) AVELLINO – O.1049 – VALLATA – N8073 3) AULETTA – EBOLI – O. 1049 – AVIGLIANO 4) SAPRI – BRIENZA and SAPRI N.W. to BOMB LINE
Duty: ARMD. RECCE of roads in area SALERNO-CAPRI.
Committed: 8 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 2206 Hrs LT to 0113 Hrs LT
Airborne: 1930 hrs
Returned: 0020 hrs
From: Cuticchi
Map: 1/500000 Series (NAPLES NE40/14)
Day / night: Night
Casualties: Nil.
Bombing: Medium level. Height 7/11000 feet. 42 x 250 G.P. 43 Dets. 27 Pistols (rod) 6 x 250 jettisoned at T. 3040 after aircraft unable to locate target.
Air defences: Nil.
Results: Ships fired H/A/A at one a/c from 5 miles SOUTH of IMIRISCHI Aircraft with light showing seen above ships(?) Dull red light on beach WEST of SAPRI. Thirteen fires seen 10 miles NORTH of SALERNO. Ships burning at T.5059 at 2341 hrs.

Two aircraft were allotted to each area and roads were searched for movement. Bombs were dropped at the following points in the target area: 6 x 250 across Rd and RR crossing SOUTH of LAGONEGRO. Approximately 100 MET were seen moving N.W. along the road. 6 x 250 at O.1326 on two lights on road. 6 x 250 in area T4085 & O.3207 across small fires; Bombs caused heavy explosions and later three fires were seen by other Observers. 12 x 250 along road WEST of SAPRI, direct hit on road. 6 x 250 aimed at moving MT near M8074. 3 x 250 across R/R and Rd at O. 2218 on suspected M.T. 3 x 250 on N.E. outskirts of POTENZA between town and Rail-road.