Palermo, Sicily

14 May 43

From 150 Squadron ORB's

Mission summary:

"To night's target is the town of Palermo for which twelve of 150 Squadron aircraft are detailed. The crews being:

• F/Lt Hanlon
• F/Lt Langlois
• F/O Wykes
• Sgt Smith
• Sgt Bashford
• Sgt Macdonald
• Sgt Alazrachi
• Sgt Paris
• Sgt Seville
• Sgt K Smith

One aircraft did not take off due to engine trouble and one returned immediately. Weather was good and the target was easily identified in the moonlight. A large fire was started in the dock area. There was a fairly large amount of heavy flak but it was not concentrated. Light flak was negligible. About 30 searchlights were in operation and one aircraft was caught for about a minute. Leaflets were dropped to fall on Palermo. All our aircraft returned safely.