Palermo, Sicily

9 May 1943

From 150 Squadron ORB's

Mission summary:

"Palermo is to be the target for tonight and ten aircraft have been detailed for the operation. The crews are as follows:

• G/Capt Powell
• F/Lt Langlois
• P/O Wykes
• Sgt Rutherford
• Sgt Macdonald
• Sgt Mortimer
• Sgt Rimmer
• Sgt Smith
• Sgt Lee
• Sgt Seville

All the aircraft took off between 1925 and 1942 hours. JN-F, Sgt Rutherford, returned early owing to a loose tank cover, having jettisoned 3x500lb and 3x250lb bombs and bringing back 2x1000lb bombs. Visibility was excellent and pin-pointing was facilitated by reason of brilliant moonlight. All of the attacking aircraft claim to have successfully bombed the docks and the town. The attack was made between 2216 and 2223 hours. Light to heavy moderate flak was encountered but it was inaccurate. A small amount of light flak was also encountered but it was also ineffective. The weather at Base was unfavourable and only four managed to land there between 0130 and 0242 hours. 'JN-P', P/O Wykes, 'JN-H', Sgt Macdonald, 'JN-C', Sgt Rimmer landed at Bone and 'JN-N', Sgt Lee, and 'JN-J', Sgt Seville, landed at Biskia. These aricraft returned to base later on the 10th May."