Operational sorties Detailed view
Preben Ernst Ipsen
Unit
237 Sqn
Aircraft
Spitfire IX L.F. , MJ186
Date
20.05.44
Time
08:25 - 10:05
Details
8 a/c airborne on Fighter Sweep - FLORENCE-LA SPEZIA area. Between LUCCA and POSTOIA they found scattered M.T. F/O Coulson and F/O Miller sent two 3-tonners into flames and four M.T. damaged, one of these being a 5-ton truck towing a trailer. F/Lt. Ipsen, P/O malloch observed a 5-ton truck towing a trailer. This was attacked and left blazing, suggesting an oil or petrol fire. These to a/c set another 3-ton truck ablaze and damaged another. Just North of LUCCA, F/O Ian Smith and P/O Douglas observed a diesel electric engine with 6 coaches attached moving slowly North. This was attacked and stopped. The engine received many strikes and blew up. 3 of the coaches were damaged. South of fthis a small convoy consisting of a 5-ton truck, a 2-ton red [?] bowser, two 3-ton [...] and a staff car: an attack was made on this convoy. The 5-tonner was left flaming and toppled over into a ditch. The bowser was repeatedly struck and liquid was seen to be pouring out. Two 3-tonners were left smoking, and the staff car was seen to be hit. WEATHER: visibility good, cloud 6,000-8,000 ft. 6/10-7/10.
Source
AIR 27/1451
Note