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Operation No. 555

SUPPLIES

12 aircraft

Operational Record

Committed
12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Airborne
0545 hrs
Returned
0820 hrs
From
Biferno
Map
ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 150 ROMA
Day / night
Day
12 a/c detailed to bomb M/T and Dumps in an area bounded by F913499 – 925490 – 910485. All a/c were airborne between 0845 and 0856 and immediately after crossing the bomb line encountered accurate and H/A/A for almost the entire route and the target area. One a/c returned to base with engine trouble 1.20 Hrs after take off. The formation, in two boxes, bombed between 1007 and 1012 Hrs from a height of 12000 – 13500' on courses of 300º/330º Leading box attacked Western portion of target with long stick from F917486 to edge of lake. Second box bombed to right of leading box also dropping long stick in target area. NO results were observed. Due to various causes three a/c jettisoned bombs in enemy territory on homeward journey. 10 a/c landed back to base by 1120 Hrs. A further a/c due to engine trouble landed at MARCIANISE L/G and returned to base later. Weather was good over target but 10/10 cloud 5000' base, 10,000' tops was encountered from LUCERA to SORA.