GENOA
122 aircraft - 53 Halifaxes, 51 Stirlings, 18 Wellingtons. These aircraft were provided by 3 and 4 Groups and the Pathfinders. 2 Halifaxes and 1 Stirling lost.
The target area was found to be almost completely cloud-covered and it was later discovered that the raid had actually fallen on the town of Savona, 30 miles along the coast from Genoa. It has not been possible to obtain a report from Savona. Several aircraft bombed Turin where 2 people were killed and 10 injured.
17 Wellingtons of 1 Group minelaying off La Pallice and the Danish coast. 1 aircraft lost.
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MILAN
88 Lancasters of 5 Group in another risky daylight operation. The aircraft proceeded independently by a direct route across France, using partial cloud cover, to a rendezvous at Lake Annecy. The Alps were then crossed and Milan bombed in broad daylight. Anti-aircraft fire and Italian fighter defences were both weak. Accurate bombing took place.
The raid came as a complete surprise in Milan, where the warning sirens sounded after the first bombs exploded. 135 tons of bombs fell in 18 minutes. The Italians claimed that a Lancaster came down to roof-top level and machine-gunned people in streets near the church of St Christopher. 30 large fires were started. 441 houses were destroyed or damaged and the Italians admitted that the following public buildings were hit: the university, the prison, the offices of the local Fascist Party, 2 churches, 2 schools, 2 hospitals - one a maternity hospital. R.A.F. reconnaissance photographs later discovered that a number of commercial and industrial buildings were also hit, including the Caproni aircraft factory. At least 171 people were killed.
3 Lancasters were lost. 1 near Milan and 2 over Northern France and the Channel. A further Lancaster crashed in England and its crew were all killed.
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MILAN
71 aircraft of 1 and 3 Groups and the Pathfinders - 25 Halifaxes, 23 Stirlings, 23 Wellingtons - continued the attack on Milan. 4 Wellingtons and 2 Stirlings were lost, 85 percent of the force.
Storms en route dispersed the bomber force; some aircraft flew over Switzerland and were 'warned' by anti-aircraft fire. Only 39 aircraft claimed to have bombed Milan and local reports say that little further damage was caused there.
Minor Operations: 25 Wellingtons of 1 Group minelaying in several areas between La Pallice and Denmark, 11 O.T.U. sorties. 2 Wellington minelayers lost.
