DISPERSED A/C ON PANTELLERIA L.G — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Dispersed A/C on PANTELLERIA L.G.
Duty: Medium level bombing attack on dispersed aircraft on PANTELLERIA L.G.
Committed: 18 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 1134 hrs. L.T.
Airborne: 0730 hrs
Returned: 1040 hrs
From: El Djem Main
Map: TUNISIA 1:500,000 Sheet NJ.32. SE. TUNIS. Target Maps P/6 & P/7.
Day / night: Day
Casualties: A/C 181 & 903 were holed by enemy fighters. Both Cat. 1. A/C 982 crashed in landing at MONASTIR L.G. after being damaged in an attack by an enemy fighter. Cat. 2. F/Sgts. A.J. van Coller & H. Koff both seriously wounded by fire from enemy fighter.
Bombing: Medium level bombing attack from 8500/9300 ft. 108 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods)
Air defences: Two curtains of A/A, fairly intense but too late. Between 8000 ft and 11000 ft.
Results: Nil.

Fire burning at Square N23 on arrival over target. Leaders box bombed from underground buildings towards N23. No. 2 Box bombed from the Southern underground hangar along the Eastern edge of the L.G. No. 3 Box bombed from pp. 8 towards Northern boundary of the L.G. Bombs burst among 12 S/E and 3-engined A/C parked in front of underground entrances. Other bursts were close to A/C dispersed on the boundaries of the L.G.