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Operation No. 623

BRIDGE

12 aircraft

Operational Record

Committed
12 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Airborne
1145 hrs
Returned
1330 hrs
From
Biferno
Map
ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 141 CHIETI
Day / night
Day
12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1345 Hrs to attack the ROAD and RAIL BRIDGES over the VOMANO RIVER at C024498. One a./c returned with bombs after 30 minutes due to engine trouble. With 223 Sqdn leading, formation set course from TRIGNO at 1415 Hrs with a close escort of 12 Spitfires and attacked in two boxes line astern at 1434 Hrs from a heigh of 9700' course 290º. Both boxes straddled Northern portion of target with possible direct hits on both bridges and approaches. Weather clear over target with 8-10/1 cloud at about 13000'. Fairly accurate H/A/A (moderate) encountered in target area, (two a/c holed) Last a/c down by 1530 Hrs.