The weather was excellent for flying to-day and the Squadron carried out three raids. In the first, the aircraft took off at 08.52 hours to attack enemy positions EAST of LANCIANO. The leader, afraid he was overshooting, did a dummy run, then turned and bombed on the second run; the second box bombed on the first run up. Heavy Ack Ack was encountered and the Spitfires covering the formation dived and stopped the firing.
Sortie Report No. 464
The target for the second raid was road and railway EAST of CASTEL FRENTANO. The first box slightly undershot while the second box hit the Eastern portion of the target. Heavy Ack Ack was encountered at LANCIANO on the return to base, three aircraft being holed, one of which was so badly damaged it force landed on the landing ground. The pilot, Lieut. Wood made and excellent landing in the circumstances, and though wounded, immediately staggered out of the plane and attempted to remove his crew; the Observer and Gunner were found to be dead, the second gunner seriously wounded, died the same night.
Sortie Report No. 465
Six aircraft took off at 14.44 hours to bomb positions in the area H. 268985. A dummy run was made as the target was not immediately identified, the bombing taking place during the second run. Most of the bombs fell on the WEST side of the road.
Sortie Report No. 466
Another six planes left at approximately the same time to attack defended positions EAST of GUARDIAGRELE. Bombs fell in a straggling pattern, the majority on the NORTH side of the road , but some direct hits were obtained.
Sortie Report No. 467
The funeral of Lieut. I. Robertson, Lieut. F. Hanning, F/Sgt. De Piesanie and F/Sgt. Valentine (R.A.F.), the crew of the aircraft which crashed yesterday, took place at FOGGIA to-day.