Operational Record
- Target
- MT and bridges and Recce of RD AGRIGENTO-PALERMO.
- Duty
- Medium level bombing attack M.T. and bridges RD AGRIGENTO-PALERMO and RECCE.
- Committed
- 4 Glenn Martin Baltimore
- Time of attack
- 2239 hrs to 2259 hrs LT.
- Airborne
- 1900 hrs
- Returned
- 2215 hrs
- From
- Soliman Ben Hagen
- Map
- SICILIA 1:500,000. Sheet No. NE 36/12
- Day / night
- Night
- Casualties
- Nil
- Bombing
- Medium Level. 5/6000 ft., 2 aircraft attacked NORTH to SOUTH, 2 aircraft attacked SOUTH to NORTH. 15 x 500 lbs GP 43 Det (50 NDT) (2 bombs in rear bay of one aircraft had 6" Rods).
- Air defences
- Slight inaccurate HAA from PLATANI area (where the gun positions flashed an unidentified code at aircraft before firing.)
- Results
- Blinding flash seen in PRIZZI area at 2230 hrs. Explosion NW of AGRIGENTO and glow at 2303 hrs. Own Naval Forces being attacked in GELA Gulf. Intense barrage; Bombs falling three miles away from A/A at 2225 hrs LT.
There were numerous small fires (grass?) in the area near target. Two aircraft search the roads which are very twisting and lined with trees or woods, from 100' to 500' above ground level and found little movement. Only four MT were seen. 3 two miles NORTH of PRIZZI and 1 NORTH of PLATANI and attacked. NO results observed. Bombs were aimed at the road and at bridges in Sq B4010. Near misses claimed on one. One bomb was dropped in a defile at PILAGA. Near miss claimed.
6,000ft.
Aircraft and crews
903
B – Baker
- Cormack, C. Pilot
- Lombaard, H. P. T. Observer
- Finberg, P. W/Op AG
- Viljoen, W. V. Airgunner
FA 271
F – Fox
- Guard, S. J. Pilot
- Smallman, S. O. Observer
- de Villiers Airgunner
- Green, C. E. O. Airgunner
AH 108
O – Oboe
- Stuart, A. L. Pilot
- Pawson, R. F. Observer
- Schumann, M. Airgunner
- Morley, D. H. Airgunner
291
U – Uncle
- Hargrave, R. A. Pilot
- Rees, F. G. Observer
- Jensen, R. W/Op AG
- Bedford, J. G. E. Airgunner