Italian Night raid on Pola Illustrated

[joegertler]

Here is another (see world war one illustrators)
unusual WWI aviation illustration from ILN o Sept 8, 1917, pp. 275-5.
It is a huge 15x22 inches across a two-page spread. 8 Caproni bombers in the scene.
“Italy’s Night Bombardment of Pola By Aircraft: When The Enemy Were Stupified By The Parachute-Light” The text informs that: The air raid on the famous Austrian arsenal and Naval base will undoubtedly rank amongst the most daring episodes of the war. Squadron leader, Capt. Barucchi released a parachute with an extremely powerful chemical light which hung in the air, with no wind. They crossed 60 miles of the Adriatic at night. Each aeroplane with four man crew left their aerodrome at four minute intervals. There were 20 machines in the first raid and 26 machines on the second. The first arrived over Pola at 11 o’clock and the last one left at 4 A.M. for five solid hours of continuous bombardment of the arsenal , naptha storage and docks. The Austrians were so stunned by this first use of the Parachute light that they ceased gunfire and switched off their searchlights for several minutes. 14 tons of high explosives were dropped, causing great damage and fires. All machines returned to base, safely “on time, almost to the minute.”
The illustration was done by Julius M. Price Aug. 1917, "Official artist with the Italian Army"

[joegertler]

Thinking about the above, it would seem that 14 tons divided amongst 46 machines would be an average of 600 lbs of bombs per plane.