Visits by Engineers and others who are to lay out the permanent buildings for our new "home" came round to-day but meanwhile the camp was taking shape. There was a shortage of tents but the boys were used to roughing it and bits of canvas and tarpaulins served as temporary homes, pending the arrival of additional tents. The rations, after the "variety" we enjoyed in the forward area, were most satisfying and the crystal clear, sweet water, of which we were able to enjoy unlimited supplies tasted really grand by comparison with the salty muck we got at BU AMUD.
Lieut. Newman, our Cypher Officer, has taken over the duties of “Q” Stores Officer _pro tem_, Lieut. Hazelhurst having been transferred to No.12 Squadron.
Admin. Section arrived from SOLUCH. Twelve aircraft for tonight’s operations. All twelve of our aircraft operating Iast night returned safely: Oprep No. 176, Sortie Report and Crew List
In the morning an attack was made on the Railway Station and Marshalling Yards of SULMONA. The target was found to be considerably damaged by previous raids and in this raid the pattern of bombs fell from the N.E. portion of the target to the coal store. Direct hits, which caused a large amount of white smoke, were noted on the railroad and buildings S.E. of it.
Sortie Report No. 526.
At 1500 Hrs. twelve Baltimores set off to bomb the road and railway defile N.E. of POPOLI. Owing to a patch of cloud obscuring the target. The leader was compelled to make a second run before releasing his bombs. The second box bombed on the first run up. Cluster of bombs were observed on the road and railway just short of the tunnel and a few on the slope SOUTH of the target; direct hits were obtained on a building and on the railroad.
Sortie Report No. 527.
Operational Report (Oprep) Reference Number 527
Seven Marauders, led by Lt. Col. ORD, D.F.C., took off from JESI at 09.51 hours to bomb CELJE Railroad Bridge. After rendezvous over Rimini with an escort of six Spitfires they set course for the target followed by 12 squadron, S.A.A.F. First box bombed from 13,300 feet and bombs overshot from R (D) 972373 to D.971374 with direct hits on road and large buildings. 2nd Box bombed from 13,300 feet with stick from R (D) 974378 to D.975377 - lateral error to the right. One fire with black smoke observed at D.973373 after bombing. No enemy opposition except for slight, inaccurate, heavy ack-ack from FIUME area on return 36 bundles of newspaper dropped over target area. All aircraft landed by 13.15 hours.
Sortie Report No. 917.