ROADS THROUGH ST MARIE DI LICODIA — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Roads through ST MARIE DI LICODIA.
Duty: Roads through ST MARIE DI LICODIA.
Committed: 12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 1122 hrs LT.
Airborne: 0805 hrs
Returned: 1021 hrs
From: Hal Far
Map: 1. SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12. 2. PATERNO 1:100,000 Sheet 269
Day / night: Day
Casualties: One aircraft a number of minor holes (271 F) Cat I.
Bombing: Medium level. Height 10500. Courses 355/010° 72 x 250 GP 47 Det 27 Pistols.
Air defences: Moderate but accurate HAA opened when formation started run-up and continued after bombing to SFERRO. HAA from NW. PATERNO. HAA from SOUTH of ADRANO. HAA from WEST of BIANCAVILLE. Effective evasive tactics, climbing and turning and losing height employed by leader.
Results: i) 1 FW 190 seen 2000 ft above Spitfire escort before bombing. Did NOT attack. ii) 40 Trucks and coaches in station NORTH of PATERNO. NO engines seen. iii) At H730900 Rail bridge blown.

Formation off at 1005 hrs attacked ROADS in ST MARIE DI LICODIA from 10500 on Course 355/010° at 1122 hrs LT. Landed 1221 hrs. The target was straddled, numerous buildings hit. The Eastern part of village was covered in dust and smoke from bomb bursts. The formation leader evaded moderate but accurate HAA climbing and turning and diving. Visibility poor. NO cloud over target.