22 Marauders in boxes of four aircraft and two boxes of three aircraft each attacked an Enemy strongpoint on the S.E. outskirts of RIMINI. Pattern of first box inside along southern portion of the target; second box just outside briefed area, but direct hits on large buildings and road to the N.W. 3rd, 4th and 5th boxes straddled northern half of area with majority of bombs within the briefed pinpoints; 6th box overshot badly, all bombs in the sea. Two aircraft did not bomb, jettisoned 2 x 250 delays at sea, remainder of the load was brought back. Moderate, fairly accurate heavy A.A. from the target area (six aircraft slightly damaged). Last aircraft down by 17.00 hours. Sortie Report 823.
Immediately prior to start up one aircraft briefed for the raid exploded in the dispersal area, presumably during fusing operations. Casualties:– Killed – Lt.BRALL (pilot) W.O.1 BOTHA, A/Cpl. KIMBREY, A/Cpl. CHEESMAN, A/M. MAEDER, A/M. VIRET, A/M. ANDREWS. A/Sgt. SMIT and A/M. v.d. WESTHUIZEN were injured and A/M. v.d. MERWE sustained superficial scratches. The aircraft was completely destroyed.
Sgts. COOK, SMITH, SANDELANDS, BELL, GILLBANK, HEALE (all R.A.F. WT/AGs) and W.O. PECKITT, A.G. The last named left us at CAMPOMARINA as O.T.E. and has now returned on a second tour.