Twelve aircraft took off at 09.17 hours to bomb CHIETI Railway Station. The route out was LARINO LAMA across the mountains to the target. Stick of bombs fell across the railway line; two direct hits on railway and one direct hit on the road. Heavy, intense and accurate A.A. was encountered from the main road of PESCARA – POPOLI. The C.O.’s aircraft sustained a direct hit, but fortunately the shell did not explode, going through the aircraft and missing the C.O. by inches.
No movements were observed in the target area. One stationary train was observed in CHIETI Railway Station.
Sortie Report No. 567.
The second raid was at 14.43 hours and the CHIETI Cellulose Factory was the target. A cover of four Spitfires was provided over the target area. Visibility over the target area was good but bombing results were not well observed owing to evasive action through A.A., but it appeared that the target was slightly undershot. Heavy, intense and accurate A.A. was encountered soon after crossing the bomb line. Only eleven aircraft returned. The missing aircraft fell out of the formation soon after bombing. A message was received from the Army that the one aircraft crashed. Four parachutes were seen to open.
Three of the crew landed near ATESSA, where they were cared for by the 13th Corps. A further message was received that the pilot, Capt. T.A.B. v.d. Riet was killed. His remains were found and brought back to the Squadron.
Sortie Report No. 568