Aerodrome at Capodichino, Italy and nickel drop over Sicily
26 July 1943
From 150 Squadron ORB's
Mission summary:
"On this occasion eleven aircraft were detailed for operations. Nine to attack the aerodrome at Capodichino and two for a special
operation to drop German Leaflets over Sicily in the Catania/Adrano district and over Messina. The captains were:
Capadichino aerodrome
- F/Lt Langlois
- F/O Rogers
- F/O Kalberer
- Sgt Sullivan
- Sgt Lee
- Sgt Macdonald
- Sgt Wilkes
- Sgt Valentine
- Sgt Hales
Sgt Valentine returned early with engine trouble after jettisoning bombs on land. All crews had difficulty in finding the target and
none were able to say definitely that their bombs dropped on the aerodrome. There was little light flak but moderate heavy flak was
fairly accurate and 30-40 searchlights were operating from Naples.
The two aircraft detailed for the nickel drop carried out the operation
successfully. All eleven aircraft returned safely to base."