BLOCK ROAD JUNCTION AT H029479 (ALFEDINA) — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Block Road Junction at H029479 (ALFEDINA).
Duty: Medium level bombing attack on Road Junction at H029479 (ALFEDENA)
Committed: 12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 1004 A Hrs.
Airborne: 0608 hrs
Returned: 0745 hrs
From: Tortorella
Map: NAPOLI 1:500,000 Sheet NE 40/14
Day / night: Day
Casualties: 5 aircraft in No. 2 box received a total of 50 holes from H/A/A. All repairable by Unit. 2 aircraft from No 1. box received minor damage from H/A/A. Two aircraft collided about six minutes after bombing at 13000 ft. over area H2060 and spun in. One parachute seen. One a/c was seen to hit ground and burn. i) FA 474X. Lt/Col Britz DFC - Pilot. Lt. Booyse - Observer 2/Lt. Harrison - WOP/Gunner 2/Lt. Pickup - Top Gunner ii) AG 951YY. Capt. Dieu (Belgian) - Pilot F/O Edmeades - Observer F/Sgt Oswald - WOP/Gunner A/Sgt Breedt - Top Gunner All missing.
Bombing: Medium level bombing. 12600'. Course 285° Speed 210 I.A.S. 36 x 250 G.P. 49 Dets. 27 Pistols. (Nose fused) 23 x 500 M.C. 49 Dets. 27 Pistols (Nose fused) 24000 Pamphlets (copy attached) 1 x 500 M.C. hung up.
Air defences: Moderate and inaccurate H/A/A and intense and inaccurate L/A/A before bombing. NO A/A from Target. After bombing moderate H/A/A accurate for the second box, (First box evasive tactics climbing and turning successful).
Results: Fairly heavy general movement of M/T seen on roads.

Formation hit target in very good pattern from H035477 to 027480 causing terrific explosion with smoke rising to 4000 feet. Two lesser fires were also started. Some buildings in village received direct hits.