132° Gruppo Stormo Baltimore

[cyber2000]

Hello,
I’am working on a book about aerial attacks on Senj, Croatia, during WWII.
I have confirmed (from ORB's ) participation of the following squadrons in those attacks:
16. Squadron South African Airforce (SAAF)
19. Squadron South African Airforce (SAAF )
25. Squadron South African Airforce (SAAF)
39. Squadron Royal Air Force (RAF)
351 (Y) Squadron Royal Air Force (RAF)
352 (Y) Squadron Royal Air Force (RAF)

I have unconfirmed information that 132° Gruppo Stormo Baltimore also participated in those attacks on Senj. It could be somewhere in the winter of 1945, particularly month of February.
There is information about it on the site: http://www.alireggiane.com/t203-lo-stormo-baltimore

Messaggio n°7 …o scalo marittimo del canale d'Arsa (sbocco naturale dell'importante bacino. carbonifero istriano), il porto di Senj, la stazione di Busocava, postazioni antiaeree, ponti, concentramenti di truppe e materiali.

Also, on the same page, there is a picture of air attack on Senj, which is labeled by mistake as an attack on the island of Krk (25.3.1945 Bombardamento di Volinja...) Very likely the date is also wrong, but on this picture is definitely Senj.

If anyone has any information about it? If there's ORB's for Stormo Baltimore and where can I find them?
Regards.
Mislav

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
From a reply on the Italian Air Force Modelling Discussion Forum back in IIRC 2004.Also Marco Gueli's book and my own searching.

Co-Beligerent Baltimore losses were:
December 44
1 - 132 Gruppo
19.12.44 - FW425 a/c "73" - down in sea Ten. Biagiola and crew killed.

February 45
1 - 132 Gruppo
21.02.45 - FW851 - Magg Erasi, de Stefano, Rossi and Sciamamini all killed.

March 45
1 - 28 Gruppo
12.03.45 - FW474 - Ten Grazioli and crew.

April 45
3 (1 28 & 2 132 Gruppo)
25.04.45 - FW508 - Baldoni, crew safe.

All for now
Alex

[Gianandrea Bussi]

You can find the Diari Storici of Stormo Baltimore and 28° and 132° Gruppo at the Italian AF Archive of Historical Office in Rome.

Anyway, 28° Gruppo Baltimore bombed Senj at least on the following dates:

18 january 1945 in early afternoon

8 february 1945 in the late morning

20 february 1945 in the afternoon

On 22 february 1945 bombs had not been dropped because target was covered by clouds

132° Gruppo bombed Senj at least one time in february 1945, but I don't know any details.

These infos are from a 28° Gruppo pilot flight book and from the book "Cinque anni alla 253a Squadriglia" by Gen. Enrico Marescalchi.

A picture of a bombing of Senj is published in "L'Aeronautica Italiana nella Guerra di Liberazione" by Angelo Lodi: in the caption, the date of 18 february 1945 is given.

Gianandrea