Operational sorties Detailed view
Preben Ernst Ipsen
Unit
237 Sqn
Aircraft
Spitfire IX L.F. , MJ199
Date
28.04.44
Time
06:00 - 07:30
Details
12 aircraft were airborne on an armed recce along the road and railway from LEGHORN-EMPOLI. One a/c returned after 30 minutes. with boost trouble. The 11 aircraft were over the target area at 0650/P hours. 5 aircraft operated as top cover between 6000 & 7000 ft. A 3-ton truck was seen travelling towards PISTOIA. 2 aircraft opened fire with cannon and M/G. Strikes were observed and the truck burst into flames. Another 3-ton open truck with 45 gals (approx) drums loaded on it was straffed. It stopped in the middle of the road near FUCECCHIO. Strikes were observed and smoke poured from the truck. 2 more trucks of the same type were straffed, one near PISTOIA and one at [...]. Strikes were observed. At EMPOLI railway station two engines facing opposite directions were seen with steam up. They were attacked by cannon and M/G by 4 a/c. Strikes were seen on both. A large column of steam gushed out from the sine of one, suggesting that the boiler had been hit. Open trucks at LASTRA station were straffed and strikes observed on8 of them. FLAK: Light moderate & inaccurate in the PONTCEDERA area. S.E. of LUCCA light & heavy, moderate burst of heavy about 300 yds. behind top cover and 300 ft. below. WEATHER: Vis. hazy at 6000 ft.. No cloud. A ship of approx 1500 tons was seen stationary about 2 miles N of LEGHORN and another ship of approx 800-1000 tons anchored just off [...].
Source
AIR 27/1451
Note
One 3-ton truck confirmed a flamer to F/Lt. Ipsen (117791)