Operational Record
- Target
- PRETORO Town – C1201
- Duty
- PRETORO TOWN – C1201
- Committed
- 12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
- Time of attack
- 1405 A Hrs
- Airborne
- 0958 hrs
- Returned
- 1153 hrs
- From
- Tortorella
- Map
- ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 147 LANCIANO
- Day / night
- Day
- Casualties
- Nil.
- Bombing
- Medium level bombing 350º/050º 13500/14500' 22 x 500 MC 49 Det 27 Pist) 2 x 500, 3 x 250 brought to base – bomb doors NOT fully opened. 33 x 250 GP 49 Det 27 Pist)
- Air defences
- Slight H/A/A good for height only and L/A/A, inaccurate. 5 L/A/A guns sited from flashes C124016 and C122017.
- Results
- NO smoke seen H269988 Rd. GUARDIAGRELE – ORSOGNA cleared of snow. "X" in rectangle green against background of snow H215935 4 P47s 3000/4000' above formation on run-up
Circuit of target done to identify in bad map reading conditions due to snow. Bursts seen from leading box to SOUTH EAST of target and from second box to NORTH EAST. AREA covered C120012, C120021 2 direct hits on Rd. and one on building C120020. Bombs dropped in short sticks 300 yards away from main part of town.
Aircraft and crews
545
A – Able
- Musgrove, W. J. O. Pilot
- Gildenhuys, M. J. Observer
- Leipoldt, J. V. Airgunner
- van Schalkwyk, C. Airgunner
586
B – Baker
- Ord, D. Officer Commanding
- Hodges, S. R. Observer
- Walker, A. W/Op AG
- Bridger, J. R. Airgunner
637
C – Charlie
- Ashton, T. H. Pilot
- Stuart, R. M. P. Observer
- Harmse, J. G. W/Op AG
- Brough, J. P. Airgunner
467
D – Dog
- Longmore, H. C. Pilot
- Kendall, D. A. Observer
- Theunissen W/Op AG
- Mackay, D. J. Airgunner
441
F – Fox
- Willmot, K. E. Pilot
- Borcherds, R. H. Observer
- Loots, F. W/Op AG
- Earp-Jones, A. C. Airgunner
578
G – George
- Murman, H. C. Pilot
- Walters, W. S. Observer
- Odendaal W/Op AG
- Stewart Airgunner
412
N – Nab
- Bester, A. J. Observer
- Forrester W/Op AG
- Dalling, W. T. Flight Commander "B" Flight
- Buchler, F. R. Airgunner
414
P – Peter
- Richards, V. C. Pilot
- Horwitz, L. S. Observer
- Robbertse W/Op AG
- McCrindle, D. R. Airgunner
649
Q – Queen
- Askew, G. H. Pilot
- Lambert, P. H. Observer
- Geldenhuys, J. W. W/Op AG
- Crawhall, J. A. Airgunner
445
U – Uncle
- Dieu, G. N. Pilot
- Rabinowitz, L. Observer
- Bailey W/Op AG
- du Rant Airgunner
FA 460
V – Victor
- van Breda, D. G. Pilot
- Naude, P. J. Observer
- Gratton Airgunner
- Leisching, P. L. Airgunner
383
W – William
- de Wet Pilot
- Meltz, C. Observer
- Peens, G. J. Airgunner
- du Preez, J. K. Airgunner