Operational Record
- Committed
- 11 Glenn Martin Baltimore
- Airborne
- 1200 hrs
- Returned
- 1421 hrs
- From
- Biferno
- Map
- ITALY - 1:100,000 Sheet 117 IESI
- Day / night
- Day
11 Baltimores off by 1400 hrs from BIFERNO to attack the CHIARAVALLE R.R. BRIDGE at S462456. Formation R/v with a close escort of 6 Spitfires at PENNA POINT and bombed at 1505 hrs from 11000' on a course of 310º. First box scored a perfect straddle on the bridge from S463455 to S461456 with 2 direct hits on bridge which is reported by observers as undamaged prior to bombing. The second box suffered a slight lateral error to the right, stick from S465458 to S461450, with direct hits on road bridge’s approach. Train burning at S467458, with continuous explosions and thick white smoke increasing in intensity after formation left target. This fire is presumed to have been caused by 223 Squadron's bombing. Slight H.A.A. inaccurate from ANCONA area. Weather clear. All A/c landed by 1621 Hrs.