Advance party at work. Other ranks will be housed in Nissen huts which are a considerable distance from the aircraft parking area and the hangars and are in addition, to a considerable extent, protected from bomb-blasts.
No Operational Flying. Two Air Gunners and two Ground Crew posted from CASTEL BENITO.
Twelve Marauders took off at 08.30 hours to attack RAVENNA Marshalling Yards. The formation was led by Major MEAKER. Eight spits, provided close escort. Bombed line astern from 11,000 feet. First box overshot into RAVENNA, direct hits on buildings. Second box straddled target causing large explosions. This was an unfortunate day for the Squadron as they had four casualties. Lieuts. STEENKAMP, FAIRWEATHER and HINDSON received slight wounds and W.O. van WILLINGH seriously wounded in right thigh. Intense, accurate heavy ack-ack encountered while over target until crossing coast and eleven out of the twelve air-craft were holed. All aircraft down by 11.30 hours. Sortie Report No. 802.