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Operation No. 165

MT AND STRONG POINTS AT X3695 AND X4096

Thursday, 14 January 1943

Over target: 1135 hrs 9 aircraft 36 aircrew

Operational Record

Target
MT and strong points at X3695 and X4096.
Duty
M.T. and dug-in positions at X3695 and X4096
Committed
9 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack
1135 hrs.
Airborne
0705 hrs
Returned
0920 hrs
From
Gzina
Map
LIBYA 1:500,000 Sheets 3/9. MISURATA.
Day / night
Day
Casualties
A/C 879 K was attacked by an ME 109 F and hit in the starboard engine. F/Sgt. Gibbons J.R. bottom gunner was killed and Lt. J. Sadler (Observer) wounded. Pilot reached own lines and crash-landed near BUERAT. The A/C burned out. A/C 885 damaged by Ack/Ack fire. Cat 1.
Bombing
Medium level bombing attack from 10,000 ft. 52 x 250 lb. G.P. 43 Det. (Rods) 2 x 250 lb. G.P. 43 Det. (Rods) jettisoned over sea.
Air defences
Intense, heavy and fairly accurate Ack/Ack from GHEDDAHIA village.
Results
The formation was attacked by fighters after bombing and when straggled. The speed of the B25's off the target was too high for the Baltimores, and one Baltimore (no. 957) caught alight in one engine. 30 MT at X5203 well dispersed. At X8278 enemy fighter crashed in flames. At RS 4000 enemy fighter was seen to crash. Both after engagement with escort.
Formation dropped well placed sticks which started one fire. Four explosions were seen as formation left target.

10,000ft.

Aircraft and crews