MOVEMENT ROADS WEST TROINA – IN ERROR WENT TO PALERMO — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Movement roads WEST TROINA – in error went to PALERMO
Duty: Roads leading WEST TROINA. In error went to PALERMO.
Committed: 1 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: From 2224 to 2227 hrs LT
Airborne: 1910 hrs
Returned: 2150 hrs
From: Soliman Ben Hagen
Map: SICILIA 1:500,000. NE 36/12
Day / night: Night
Casualties: Nil
Bombing: Medium level bombing 7500' 6 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det 30 x 4 lb Incendiaries
Air defences: ± 30 bursts HAA accurate and picked up by one of 4 S/Ls (Spotlights). Evasive action taken, and S/L shaken off.
Results: Target well chosen and definite decision taken against indiscriminate bombing of town.

Third aircraft, due navigational error, arrived PALERMO. Long buildings seen SW of town – considered to be RR buildings or stores and bombed. Bombs seen to straddle buildings. NO results observed. (Target sheet shows to be Military Barracks). Course and height 3600/7500'. Approx. 20 bursts HAA accurate and 4 S/Ls. Evasive action taken. Last aircraft landed 0002 hrs LT. Aircraft seen at C0611 flying in opposite direction and below. Lit by flare just dropped from twin tail considered to be ME 110. Weather good, slight haze. NO cloud.

Aircraft and crews

195

G – George