Operational Record
- Committed
- 12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
- Airborne
- 0647 hrs
- Returned
- 0929 hrs
- From
- Pescara
- Map
- ITALY - 1:100,000 Sheet 106 FIRENZE
- Day / night
- Day
12 Baltimores airborne from PESCARA at 0847 hrs to attack FUEL DUMPS at TAVOLA (Q640766, Q627762, Q634757). They set course from CASTIGLIONE at 0950 with an escort of 8 Spitfires and bombed at 1019 hrs from 14000' on a course of 190º. 1st box straddled target from Q636768 to Q636762, one explosion with black smoke observed. 2nd box overshot slightly from Q637764 to Q637757, with one direct hit on a large building at Q637757. H.A.A. moderate and accurate from North of FIRENZE after bombing and also from BIDDIENA?. Leader's A/c holed and observer slightly wounded – landed safely at CASTIGLIONE. His No.2 developed engine trouble shortly before crossing bomb line on return journey and whilst coming back on his own was attacked by two fighters at 1145 hrs in the vicinity of ACCIMOLI (S.4065) height 11000'. Approximately 15 hits were scored on centre portion of fuselage, damaging turret, wirelss and inter-comm. also severely damaging the serviceable engine. No markings observed on attacking A/c which were NOT painted except for yellow wing tips. The Pilot examined his A/c after landing and extracted spent ammunition which proved to be .50 calibre. The attacking A/c are presumed to be Mustangs. Baltimore escaped in cloud and made and emergency wheel landing at TORTORETO. A/c Cat II. crew safe. Remaining 10 A/c landed back at base by 1129 hrs. No cloud in target area but 5 to 7/10th strata-cu. over mountains 12000' tops.