0940
A formation of 12 Baltimores took off to bomb the landing ground at TRAPANI/MILO in SICILY. The formation encountered heavy and accurate A. A. and enemy fighters with the result that four of our aircraft failed to return and several others were damaged. Major SCHRAVESANDE was hit by A. A. over the target before bombing and the aircraft was seen to blow up, no parachutes seen to open. Capt. McBRIDE was hit after dropping two bombs and was seen to go down in flames, two parachutes were seen to open from this aircraft. Lieuts MEREDITH and OAKES were shot down by fighters over the sea, S. E, of FAVIGNANA Island, two parachutes were seen to open from one aircraft. Lt HARGRAVE was hit by A. A. end also by cannon fire from enemy fighters, he managed to reach CAP BON and forced landed at EL MAOUARIA L.G. His gunner F/Sgt. MacQUEEN was wounded. Lt. DUGMORE was also hit by A.A. and cannon fire but reached base. The remaining aircraft all sustained damage by A. A. and enemy fighter action. Three enemy fighters confirmed shot down and two probables. It is hoped that more parachutes opened as it was very difficult to tell due to a very heavy ground haze over the target at the time.
“Oprep” No. 324 Sortie Report & Crew List