Three Baltimores took off at intervals from 2100hrs last night to bomb any movement on roads near TROINA. Dropped bombs, flares and incendiaries. No movement seen. One aircraft arrived inadvertently at PALERMO and bombed rail and good sheds. This aircraft encountered intense A.A. and search lights.
“Oprep” No. 343. Sortie Report and Crew List.
MALTA move was postponed for another 24 hours. Advice was received late this evening that Lt. WHITTLE, a member of Lt. HAMILTON's crew, who were reported missing on the 16th instant, is a patient in No.97 General Hospital. From his interrogation it was learned that their aircraft was picked up just after bombing by an enemy night fighter, which followed them on the course back and attacked them several times. The Baltimore was finally shot down in flames over the sea N.W. of COZO Island, at 2350 hrs. Lt. WHITTLE was hit by a cannon shell in the right foot just as he baled out. He dropped in the sea and was picked up by an American Destroyer at 0050 hours. The ship’s surgeon amputated his leg above the ankle. He was transferred to a Hospital Ship on the 16th, and landed at Tunis where he was admitted to the above Hospital. There is no news of the remainder of the crew and Lt. WHITTLE is unable to throw any light on their fate.
Lt. Col. LOFTUS, D.S.O., D.F.C. visited the Squadron this morning.