Operational Record
- Committed
- 12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
- Airborne
- 1010 hrs
- Returned
- 1300 hrs
- From
- Biferno
- Map
- ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 116 CUBBIO
- Day / night
- Day
12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO L/G by 1210 Hrs to bomb FABRIANO M/Yards (S110176) ( 43° 20' 32'' N 12° 54' 08'' E). After R/v with 223 Sqdn over base formation set course over sea (21 leading) and turned in near POTENZA River. At this point one a/c developed engine trouble and returned to base with bombs. 223 Sqdn also turned back due to bad weather. Remaining 11 a/c carried on and attacked in two boxes at 1400 Hrs from 11000' on a course of 355º second box bombed first due to leader's difficulty in locating target. A slight undershoot resulted in the whole formations bombs falling about 400 yds EAST of M/Yards, commencing in the Northern edge of the town and extending into open ground beyond. Weather immediately over target clear, target area 6/10 cloud at 10000' en route 9/10. NO enemy opposition. 4 Spitfires provided area cover. One a/c crashed on landing (Cat. 11) NO casualties. All a/c returned to base by 1500 Hrs.) NOTE: A 13th Baltimore (Mk.V) took off an operated in No. 12 position in 223 Sqdn, who turned back near POTENZA River Mouth. Statisical details for this a/c are included below.