Operational Record
- Committed
- 13 Glenn Martin Baltimore
- Airborne
- 0930 hrs
- Returned
- 1120 hrs
- From
- Biferno
- Map
- ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 133 ASCOLI PISENNO
- Day / night
- Day
13 Baltimores were airborne at 1230 Hrs from BIFERNO L/G to bomb SAN BENEDETTO RR STN. One a/c crashed on taking off (Cat. II) and another returned with engine trouble after 35 minutes. After R/v over base with 223 Sqdn. formation set course at 1305 Hrs and attacked in two boxes at 1340 Hrs from about 15000' on a course of 200-240º. Formation was briefed to bomb on box leaders. Due to temporary failure of the leaders inter-comm. During the run-up (bomb doors consequently opening late) and 2nd box leader experiencing difficulty in fully opening bomb doors, the entire formation overshot. The majority of bombs fell in salvoes from B996831 – B900832, while others fell in the harbour, target area and sea after turn off. All a/c returned to base by 1420 Hrs. 8 Spitfires provided area cover. Visibility and weather good over target intense and accurate H/A/A encountered during attack, particularly from B900845, 907802, 890868, 880830 and from hill SOUTH of target. 4 a/c holed.