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Operation No. 740

RAIL

12 aircraft

Operational Record

Committed
12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Airborne
0910 hrs
Returned
1157 hrs
From
Pescara
Map
ITALY - 1:100,000 Sheet 100 FORLI
Day / night
Day
12 Baltimores airborne at 1110 Hrs. from PESCARA Aerodrome to bomb CESENA Marshalling Yards (M601075). Set course at 1130 Hrs. with a close escort of 6 Spitfires. Attack took place at 1226 Hrs. from 12000' on a course of 270º, in good visibility. First box straddled M/Yards from M.601077 to M.599077. Second box pattern fell from M.603075 to M.599075, straddling South-Eastern end of M/Yards. Numerous direct hits on station buildings and tracks from both boxes. L.A.A. from target area inaccurate. Two or three enemy fighters attacked second box from the rear during bombing run damaging No.6 and wounding straight gunner. One Baltimore returned fire, making no claims. Fighter escort engaged enemy A/c. Damaged Baltimore made a wheel landing at TORTORETO L/G.(B.9491) at 1310 Hrs.but A/c swung at the end of runway and tipped on its nose. Aircrew returned to bate later, Straight Gunner admitted to Hospital, condition believed NOT serious. Remaining A/c landed at base at 1357 Hrs.