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"Operation Bowler"
A Politically-Sensitive Pin-Point
Attack on Venice - March 21st, 1945.
21 March 1945. The Kittyhawk IVs of RAAF 450 Squadron, each
armed with 1 x 1,000lb. bomb, run-in to dive-bomb shipping targets at
the Venice docks.
Ahead in the distance, the Mustangs of 3SQN accelerate to
pre-emptively engage German anti-aircraft positions.
[Image courtesy of artist Drew Harrison.]
Below
is reproduced a fascinating narrative report on the 21/3/1945 “Wing”
attack by all six squadrons of No.239 Fighter-Bomber Wing.
(Which included 3SQN and 450 RAAF. 239 Wing were also
supported by two squadrons of American Thunderbolts of the USAAF 79th
Fighter Group for this mission.)
WGCDR George WESTLAKE [who had taken over command of 239
Wing from 3SQN’s own Brian EATON] was the leader of the
brilliantly executed “Operation Bowler” - the bombing of
shipping in the docks at Venice and the only authorised wartime air
attack against this Italian city.
With
the destruction of the rail and road network in northern Italy by early
1945, the Germans resorted to transporting desperately needed supplies by
ship to Venice for onward distribution by canal and river
craft. In March that year, authority was given to attack the port
of Venice - there were strict instructions that there must be no
damage to the historic buildings and fabric of the city, which
lay just outside the dock's boundary.
The
operation's codename was the idea of the Air Officer
Commanding of the Desert Air Force, Air Vice Marshal "Pussy"
FOSTER. [The name of the “D.A.F.” had been preserved ever
since North Africa in May 1943, despite their now being stationed in
rainy and snowy – and occasionally delightful! – Italy.] AVM
FOSTER anticipated being "bowler hatted" (dismissed from
the service) should the historic city suffer any damage.
No.239
Wing had a mixture of Kittyhawk and Mustang squadrons
specialising in dive-bombing operations. During the afternoon of
March 21, flying a Kittyhawk of No.250 Squadron,
Westlake led 64 aircraft into the attack. A further 24 fighters of
the USAAF were also attached to his formation, with a Spitfire squadron
providing fighter escort, plus an additional photographic-reconnaissance
aircraft.
Within
a few yards of the dock area were churches and housing. Beyond lay
a large population and centuries-worth of noble buildings and works of
art.
Once
over the target, Westlake assessed that the weather was suitable and he
ordered some of the Mustangs and the American fighters to attack
the gun defences. He then dived almost vertically from 10,000ft
with his four squadrons following him into the attack.
Dive-bombing was used in all cases, to improve accuracy.
An ACTION PHOTO of the large explosion and mushroom cloud in the dock
area, as the store of German sea-mines went up. This
occurred as the last of the 239 Wing aircraft was pulling away
from their attack. Note the splashes of large debris in the water
and on the surrounding land. - In fact one apartment building was
impacted by a stray bomb (with casualties) on the waterfront across from
the wharf, but otherwise the attack was very accurately delivered on the
military targets.
The
results were spectacular: 239 Wing sank two large cargo
ships as well as the German torpedo boat TA42 (ex-Italian Alabarda) and,
naval escorts and smaller vessels. It seriously damaged a large
cargo ship and destroyed five warehouses, an Axis sea-mine stockpile
(blowing a 90 metre hole in the quayside) and other harbour
infrastructure, such as an underwater training establishment for frogmen
and human torpedoes. The local Italian population
reportedly stood on nearby rooftops just outside the target area
watching the spectacle with great enthusiasm and admiration.
The
AOC was equally impressed, and sent a signal of congratulation, relieved
that he had avoided a ‘bowler hat’. Westlake was later awarded the
Distinguished Service Order for his: "Excellent
leadership, great tactical ability and exceptional determination."
[Thanks to
the Telegraph London, for the text framework of this article -
Westlake Obituary.]
A MODERN SATELLITE VIEW of the main islands of Venice, with the railway
causeway joining from the North West.
One of the 1945 B&W photos from Operation Bowler has been
superimposed, showing the attack area relative to the historic city.
The world famous tourist destination of “St Mark’s Square” can be seen
on the right-hand border of this photo. (2km directly east of the
explosions.)
The following text is
reproduced from the official "239 Wing" report from WW2:
This
operation was a complete Wing effort directed against shipping in
VENICE harbour. Photo recce at 1600 yesterday afternoon had
revealed the presence of 2 destroyers of the PARTENOPE war class,
a M/V of 3500 tons, a coaster of about 1000 tons, another of 700
tons, an “S”-barge, an “F”-boat, an escort vessel and about a
dozen barges.
Wing
Commander WESTLAKE led the formation in 250 Squadron and,
with 450 Squadron, 5 and 112, attacked the harbour and shipping; 3
Squadron were in an anti-flak role on positions East of the
town, 260 Squadron attacked a 4-gun position to the S.W. and 24
Thunderbolts of 79th Group also gave valuable
assistance in an anti-flak role on the coastal gun defences to the
S.E. and South.
The order
of take-off was as follows:-
5
Squadron – 12 Mustangs (12 x 1000 inst., 12 x 1000 1/40 d/a), led
by Major ODENDAAL.
112 Squadron – 12 Mustangs (12 x 1000 1/40 d/a, 12 x 1000 1/10
d/a), led by F/Lt.FORSTER.
250 Squadron – 12 Kittyhawks (6 x 1000 inst., 6 x 1000 1/40 d/a),
led by W/Cdr.WESTLAKE.
450 Squadron –12 Kittyhawks (6 x 1000 inst., 6 x 1000 1/40 d/a),
led by F/Lt.STROM.
3 Squadron –
12 Mustangs (24 x 500 1/40 d/a), led by F/Lt.RICHARDS.
260 Squadron – 4 Mustangs (32 x 60 lb. S.A.P. R.P.), led by
Capt.ROGERS.
An excellent
take-off was made interrupted by only one early return.
The Wing
formed up over base and then orbitted off RAVENNA where it was
joined by the two Squadrons of Thunderbolts. One aircraft of 3
Squadron and one aircraft of 250 Squadron returned early with
engine trouble and jettisoned their bombs.
After a
pass at PORTO di MALAMOCCO, the gaggle went straight to the target
and leader ordered the anti-flak to do their stuff. The Americans
laid in heavily on the 8 heavy and 20 light guns on the Litorale
di Lido with anti-personnel frag bombs and rockets.
3 Squadron put 8 aircraft on to 6 heavy and 3
light guns on Punta Sabbioni
at G.771508, bombing and strafing out of the sun, 8500’ down
to 1500’. As the leader went down, dozens of bodies were seen
rushing about in and around the pits. Slight, inaccurate 20 mm
came up when aircraft first arrived, but the guns were not
seen to fire again until aircraft had set course for home and
then only one flash was seen.
The
other three aircraft went on to 4 heavy guns on the tip of the
island of S.ERASMA at G.745519. One set was a direct hit among
the pits, another was a very near miss to the South and these
guns were silenced. The other aircraft’s bombs hung up and
were shaken off later. All aircraft strafed.
The
Squadron then re-formed East of the target and did turnabouts
watching the gunpits and being ready to strafe if any had the
temerity to open up. While doing this, they got 4 bursts of
accurate 88 mm from North of the target area.
260
Squadron at the same moment put in Red 3 and 4 on 4 heavy
guns on an island S.E. of the main docks at G.664496. The two
aircraft went in and each fired 4 rockets seeing about 20 bodies
scampering about in all directions.
Then they
went round and came in for a second run with their remaining
rockets while 250 Squadron were bombing. A single gun was firing
as they went in but it was silent afterwards and no gun opened up
afterwards.
While 450
and 5 Squadrons were bombing, Red 1 and 2 went in. On their first
attack each fired 4 R.P. and they made 2 more attacks firing a
pair on each one. One R.P. hung up.
All R.P’s
got into the target area with at least 2 hits among the pits but
otherwise results were unobserved. There was scattered 20, 40 and
88 mm over the general target area and intense 20 mm from the
South.
-
250
Squadron started
the attack, NE-SW from 7000’ down to 1500’.
There
were 2 direct hits on the 3,500 ton merchantman lying at KL.26 on
the East side of the Western Quay, one in the bows and the other
just behind the fo’c’sle. There was also a very near miss in the
water amidships, so close that the splash of the bomb was only
visible as a semi-circle. A large flash of fire resulted.
There was
a direct hit on the large, white-roofed warehouse on the same quay
at K.28 which produced a nice mushie of smoke, and two direct hits
on the long storehouse on the same quay besides the M/V produced
fire and smoke up to 400’; this gradually increased in volume. A
very near miss on the destroyer at the North end of the West Quay
was so close that debris from the ship was thrown into the air.
At first,
flak was only slight but it developed into an intense, deterrent
carpet of 20 mm and small arms fire from all over the docks,
particularly from the target area and there was moderate 40 mm.
Lt.SENIOR was heard to call up after bombing to say that his
glycol was off the clock, oil temperature down and that he was
making for home. A few minutes later, he baled out from 3500’ and
landed in the sea at M.7251. Major WEINGARTZ and 2 other pilots
circled him till relieved by Spitfires. His hands froze as he hit
the drink and he was unable to manipulate his dinghy and in the
hazy conditions was very difficult to keep in sight; the only way
in which he was located was by the patch of oil left by the
aircraft. After about half and hour later he was picked up by a
Catalina, one of whose crew dived into the water for him, and
returned to his Squadron little the worse though chilled to the
bone.
450
Squadron followed 250 in, pilots strafing in the dive. Quite
a lot of smoke was drifting West from the target and partially
obscured it. There was a direct hit on the stern oft.the 700 ton
ship on the West side of theWestern Quay and possibly another one.
Three of the warehouses sustained direct hits. The 3500 ton M/V
was smoking on arrival and another very near miss wasscored on it.
The “F”-boat appeared also to be on fire and giving up a mushroom
of smoke. Flak experienced was moderate, accurate 20 and slight,
inaccurate 40 and 88 mm.
-
Next,
5 Squadron came in strafing. They scored a direct hit on
the escort vessel lying at Q.25 between the Eastern and Scomenera
Canal Quays and two small barges close to it disintegrated. There
was a direct hit on the long warehouse on the Western Quay,
another on the N.W. corner of the Eastern Quay, a direct hit in
the marshalling yards at Q.23 and two more on the Western Quay at
M.25 and K.26, and another on the Eastern Quay at L.30. Results
could not be observed in detail as there was so much smoke, dust
and confusion in the target. There was medium, inaccurate 40
and 88 mm and 2 a/c were holed, Cat. I.
-
Finally,
112 Squadron went in, baring their shark’s teeth. The 3500
tonner was by this time well afire. They got a direct hit in the
water just astern of it, a direct hit on the Palazzo Quay which
caused a huge explosion with flames up to 500’. Another big
explosion was caused at the S.E. end of this quay and the Centre
Quay was hit near the inactive NINO BIXIO. Other bombs fell in the
target area but accurate observation was by this time impossible.
One aircraft strafed a gun position in the centre of Litorale di
Lido. Flak had by this time increased to medium, accurate 88
mm, intense, accurate 40 and medium, accurate 20
mm.
And so,
Operation “Bowler” was brought to a very successful conclusion.
The
manner of its execution had been viewed not without some anxiety
not only because of the flak defences, but also because of the
extreme care which had to be taken to avoid hitting any civilian
and historical buildings. A bombline of 300 yards had been laid
down so that no margin of error could be allowed. A P.R.U.
Spitfire covered the whole operation and, so far as can be seen
from present cover, only one bomb fell just outside the bombline
and hit a garage. The gasworks were also hit.
Subject
to photographic confirmation, it is believed that every active
ship in the harbour, except for one destroyer, was hit. Thanks to
the careful planning beforehand, the perfect time in the actual
operation itself and the excellent work of 3 and 260 squadrons and
the Thunderbolts in subduing the flak defences, this outstanding
result was achieved at the expense of one Kittyhawk lost (pilot
rescued) and 2 Mustangs holed, CatI.
APPENDIX
“A” TO 239 WING OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 379
RESULT
OF OPERATION “BOWLER”
---------------------------
Photo
reconnaissance of VENICE Harbour has now been completed. A
photograph taken only a few minutes before the attack revealed
that the 1,000 ton coaster had moved from the West side of the
West Quay round into the basin and was moored between one of the
torpedo boats and the “Otto Leonhardt”. The “F”-boat had gone.
Accordingly, the active shipping at the time of the attack was as
follows:-
West
Quay, West side - 150-ft coaster, 700
tons.
West
Quay, East side - War PARTENOPE T/B.
200-ft coaster, 1000 tons. 340-ft OTTO LEONHARDT, 3500 tons. 7+
barges.
Centre
Quay, West side - War
PARTENOPE T/B. About 20 barges.
Centre
Quay, East side - Escort Vessel, 220-ft.
Scomenara
Canal Quay - 20 plus barges.
A
photograph taken the following day shows the following damage and destruction to
shipping and harbour installations:-
OTTO
LEONHARDT : Damaged aft
and listing heavily to port.
150-ft
coaster : Sunk.
T/B
on West Quay : Sunk.
A
hit was claimed on the Escort Vessel but the Interpretation Report states:- “The
camouflage has changed since 21st March but no statement on possible damage
to this vessel can be made”.
It is
also noticed that the other T/B has moved round to the other side
of the Centre Quay, the 200-ft coaster has departed and a fresh
coastal tanker has arrived at the Centre Quay.
WAREHOUSES
(1)
Western
Quay
– Two sheds 480’ x 110’ - burnt out.
One shed
650’ x 110’ - roof damaged in centre and
holed in 2 places. (NOTE: In one of the “action” photographs
flames appear to be pouring out beneath the roof on the West
side.
Two sheds
310’ x 90’ - Destroyed.
One shed
290’ x 110’ - slight damage apparent.
(2)
Centre
Quay
– 700 feet of long, narrow shed destroyed and blast damage apparent
to other buildings.
QUAYSIDE
INSTALLATIONS:
The huge
explosion which rocked the P.R. Spitfire on March 21st is
now seen to have occurred on the West side of the Western Quay and
has taken a bite 170-ft wide from the quayside where stacks of
material were visible before the attack.
Seven
hits in the docks sidings have cut tracks and damaged or derailed 15
wagons or coaches.
OUTSIDE THE
HARBOUR:
Only one
bomb fell outside the bombline and this hit a possible residential
building near the garage N.E. of the harbour and partly
destroyed it, but no church or other historical building was
damaged.
Moderate
damage was also done to the gasworks on the East of the
Scomenara Canal Quay.
-----oo0oo----
Without
shooting a line, it may justly be claimed that 239 Wing did a pretty
accurate job of work.
----oo0oo----
3
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