DISPERSAL AREAS TRAPANI MILO A/D

Operational Record

Target

Dispersal areas TRAPANI MILO A/D

Duty

Medium level bombing attack on TRAPANI MILO aerodrome dispersal areas.

Committed

12 Glenn Martin Baltimore

Time of attack

1051 Hrs. L.T.

Airborne

0740 hrs

Returned

0958 hrs

From

Soliman Ben Hagen

Map

SICILIA 1:500,000 N 36/12 Target Chart 2/103/NA

Day / night

Day

Casualties

(1) 142 P Major Schravesande, Lt. Campbell, F/Sgt. Meyer, F/Sgt Stopforth Missing hit by A.A. over target before bombing. (2) 345 E Capt. Mcbride, and Crew Missing. Hit by H.A.A. after dropping two bombs. (3) 977 L Lt. Meredith and Crew. Shot down by fighters (Also likely hit by H.A.A.) missing over the Sea. S.E. Favignana Island. (4) 877 J Lt. Oakes and Crew hit by fighters missing over the sea, X.X. of Favignana Island. (5) Aircraft 291 U damaged by H.A.A. and Enemy Fighters – Cat. II. Landed at HAQUARIA. (6) Aircraft 352 D hit by H.A.A. and Enemy Fighters - Cat. II (7) Remaining aircraft all sustained minor damage by H.A.A. and enemy fighter action.

Bombing

Medium level bombing attack. 62 x 250 Rods (43 Det) G.P. (10 bombs not dropped as aircraft was hit before all bombs were released) Height 7500 ft. Course 230 deg.

Air defences

H.A.A. intense and accurate bursting in a box over target area depth of box 3000 ft. Some L.A.A. (pink balls) bursting above and below formation. H.A.A. guns were firing from Eastern slope of Mt. ERICE and from port and A/D area. (See also Bomber Combat Attached)

Results

Approximately 6 S.E. and T.E. aircraft seen in S.E. dispersal and 6 S.E. in Southern Area, 3 S.E. in top West corner; 8 S.E. in Eastern Dispersal area and 1 large aircraft inside Western perimeter.