Today saw the first "real show" as far as the squadron was concerned. A high level bombing attack, led by the Officer Commanding, was carried out on dumps North West of BARDIA by nine of our machines, all of which returned safely. Apart from it being a “mooi spulletjie" – the description applied to it by the Officer Commanding – the flight gave some their first experience of A.A. fire which appeared to be fairly accurate but not dangerous.
The Adjutant, Maj. RECK, was ordered to hospital this afternoon by the hospital authorities at No. 106, where X-ray photographs had recently been taken. These photographs revealed that Maj. RECK had sustained a fractured spine. For some five weeks Maj. RECK had been having massage treatment at hospitals near SUEZ, and it was only when he transferred to No. 106 Hospital that the injury sustained in an accident on August 13th, 1942 was revealed. It was stated that Maj. RECK would not be fit for duty for a minimum of four months.
Another Armed Recce raid of the AVELLINO area by four Aircraft of this Squadron, bombs were dropped from 04.40 to 05.14 Hrs, visibility poor.
Twelve Marauders briefed to attack the Marshalling Yards at FORLI. First box straddled Eastern portion of target, although only two aircraft of this box bombed. One aircraft’s bombs hung-up and were brought back and the other released late bombs falling at M.410178, 2 miles West of the target. Second box had a lateral right error, pattern running parallel with Marshalling Yards. Third box bombed CESENA Marshalling Yards by mistake, the result being a left lateral error. Direct hits were scored on buildings at M.603803. Intense, accurate heavy A.A. from CESENATICO to target and back to the coast, ten aircraft being holed.
Sortie Report No. 839.
Twelve Marauders in three boxes of four aircraft each airborne from PESCARA at 13.40 hours to attack a Stores Dump on the outskirts of CESENA. On arrival in target area CESENA was found obscured by 10/10 cloud and formation carried on to FORLI to attack a target described as a Motor Transport Workshops. Formation found the target partially covered by cloud, but objective was identified. First box very slight left error with a few direct hits in N.E. corner of target. Second box overshot and left error or about 400 yards, with direct hits on buildings. Third box which had become separated bombed FAENZA Marshalling Yards through a gap in clouds, commencing with a slight undershoot finishing in the centre of Yards. Slight, heavy A.A. (accurate) through cloud from CESENA area; three aircraft from third box holed. Nosewheel of one aircraft collapsed due to a hit by flak, no personnel casualties. Two aircraft cat.11. Last aircraft down by 16.45 hours. Sortie Report No. 840.