Syrian Campaign - 260/450 Sqdn - Straffing Mission over Talia

[Steve49]

Not really my area of knowledge, but I want to research the campaign in Syria/Lebanon after I've finished my Dieppe work, so I've been looking at the ORB's online at the National Archives of Australia and noted the following in the 450/260 Sqn ORB;

Six aircraft were involved; A Flt-F/Lt Bandinell (Z9228), Sgt Kilby (ZA564), PO Hall (Z4375), Sgt Paterson (Z4254) and B Flt FO McDougall (Z4580) and Sgt Hindle (Z4706).

They had flown to Damascus on the 5th July and left at 05.30 on the 6th; they attacked BAALBECK at 06.00, sighting '9 Leo bombers' and '1 Glen Martin', claiming hits on '4 Leos' and '1 Glen Martin' and at 06.10 they attacked TALIA, sighting '5 Buffaloes' and '1 High winged twin monoplane'. The ORB states 'own a/c flying in line abreast down valley + only 4 were able to attack the a/c!' (it doesn't identify the four aircraft). Hits were claimed on '1 Buffalo and the monoplane' as well as hangers and 20 MT.

Heavy light flak was reported at BAALBECK; all returned but the aircraft of F/Lt Bandinell, Sgt Kilby, PO Hall and Sgt Hindle all suffered slight damage.

Hope this is of some help.

Regards

Steve Pegge