DISPERSED A/C AND MT AROUND STE. MARIE DU ZIT WEST L.G. (K 2311) — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Dispersed A/C and MT around Ste. MARIE du ZIT WEST L.G. (K 2311)
Duty: Individual medium level bombing attack on Ste MARIE du ZIT L.G. WEST (K 2311)
Committed: 15 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: From 2224 hrs. to 2250 hrs.
Airborne: 1840 hrs
Returned: 2230 hrs
From: Hazbub
Map: TUNISIA 1:500,000 TUNIS.
Day / night: Night
Casualties: One A/C, 187 G, through very bad visibility was unable to locate HAZBUB MAIN L.G. and ran short of fuel in an endeavour to locate the coastline and crash land on the beach. All the crew baled out WEST of ZARAT and the A/C crashed at Z 5211 (A/C Cat. II) Pilot: Lt. T. P. Carlisle Killed (believed to have baled too late). Observer: Lt. E. G. Webber & Air Gunner F/Sgt. Waldek slightly injured. W. Op. Air Gunner F/Sgt. Schumann unhurt.
Bombing: Individual medium level bombing attack from 8/9000 ft. 90 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods)
Air defences: Five searchlights seen around the coast for 8 miles at HAMMAMET (from K 4312 to K 5318) 4 HAA and 3 LAA in same area. Four searchlights operating over target with spasmodic HAA over the L.G.
Results: Large fire seen at ENFIDAVILLE area.

Owing to very bad visibility the bombs were dropped on ETA after pinpointing the position at K 2913, where the wadi crosses the road. Bombs fell in and around the target area. One small fire started but was quickly extinguished. One medium fire was seen burning and giving off sparks ten minutes after leaving the target at 2240 hrs.