APPENDIX "A" — Orders & Appendices

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/2
APPENDIX "A"

FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORDS)
H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU)
S.A.O.A. ADV. S.A.A.F. H.Q. C.M.F.
W.I.O. 3 SA WING S.A.A.F.
REF. : 21S/932
DATE : 9th FEBRUARY, 1945
OPREP NO. 932 FOR THE 2400 HRS. ENDING 2100 ON THE 8:2:45.
A : RAID NO. MA-1-45, TARGET 40 @ GORIZIA.
OPERATION No. 145/21/N

6 Marauders following 8 A/C of 30 Squadron, airborne from
JESI L/G at 1200 Hrs. to attack the southern portion of
the GORIZIA M/Yards at G.717072. 9 A/C were briefed, but
three were prevented from taking off due to a Liberator
blocking the runway after an emergency landing.
After R/V with an escort of 10 Spitfires at Bellaria. For-
mation set course at 1250 hrs. and bombed at 1342 hrs from
10000' on a course of about 240°. First Vic straddled M/Y
at G. 717072 all bombs in target area. Two sticks of 2nd Box
in centre of yards; one A/C undershot by appr. 100 yds.
No enemy opposition encountered. All A/C back by 1500 hrs.
Weather clear over target, but visibility hazy.

B : (i) 6 Marauders III (ii) Nil
C : (i) 3 (ii) Nil.
D : (i) 18.00 Hrs. (ii) Nil
L : (i) 26400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil
P : (i) 24 x 1000 (11) as in (i) (iii) & (iv) Nil
Fused 30 - 40 Tail 42 - 50 Nose
Note 200 lbs. of window dropped.
U to V : Nil
W : (i) 7 Marauders III (ii) Nil
X : (i) 14.55 hrs. (ii) Nil
Y : 28 x 10 lbs Practice
Z : 500 x .50 Practice.
S. L. Boshoff
Capt.
S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms:
* S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer.
* H.Q. M.A.A.F.: Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
* H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. (SCORU): Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (Statistical Control and Operational Research Unit).
* S.A.O.A. ADV. S.A.A.F. H.Q. C.M.F.: Senior Air Officer Administration, Advanced South African Air Force Headquarters, Central Mediterranean Force.
* W.I.O. 3 SA WING: Wing Intelligence Officer, 3rd South African Air Force Wing.
* OPREP: Operational Report.
* JESI L/G: Jesi Landing Ground, the squadron's base of operations in Italy at this time.
* GORIZIA M/Yards: Gorizia Marshalling Yards, a major logistical rail hub.
* Liberator: Consolidated B-24 heavy bomber.
* R/V: Rendezvous.
* Marauders III: British Commonwealth designation for the Martin B-26G Marauder medium bomber.
* Fused 30 - 40 Tail 42 - 50 Nose: Technical specifications for the mechanical detonators (fuses) used in the 1000-lb bombs to ensure detonation upon or shortly after impact.
* Window: Chaff (strips of aluminum foil) dropped to jam enemy radar.
Operational Context:
The raid of 8 February 1945 against the Gorizia Marshalling Yards represents a key tactical engagement in the Allied effort to sever German logistical arteries between the Italian front and the Reich. By targeting the southern portion of the yards (grid G.717072), 21 Squadron aimed to paralyze the movement of personnel and materiel vital to the defense of the Gothic Line.
This mission follows the strategic precedent established during the assault on the Bernhardt Line in November 1943. During that earlier period, 21 Squadron (then equipped with Martin Baltimores) conducted precision strikes on critical road and rail junctions, such as those at grid H055630 near the Mignano Gap. The strategic objective remained consistent: the isolation of German frontline units—specifically the 10. Armee—to induce a logistical collapse. While the 1943 raids focused on breaking a specific mountain defense line, the 1945 strikes like this one on Gorizia were part of the broader "Operation Bingo," intended to facilitate the final Allied spring offensive by ensuring the German retreat would be hampered by the total destruction of the rail infrastructure.
Interpretations of Marginalia and Markings:
* Folio Number "59": Stamped archival index number in the upper right quadrant, used for cataloging within the AIR 27/271/2 series.
* "APPENDIX 'A'": Indicates this OPREP is a formal attachment to the primary monthly narrative for February 1945.
* Authentication: The document is signed by Captain S. L. Boshoff, the Squadron Intelligence Officer, who also recorded training data (Practice entries Y and Z) alongside the combat results.
* Emergency Incident: The note regarding the Liberator blocking the runway provides a specific logistical constraint that reduced the strike force from nine aircraft to six, illustrating the operational friction often encountered at active front-line landing grounds.

7
The following archival entry constitutes a high-fidelity transcription and historical analysis of the specified document from the official war diary of 21 Squadron, South African Air Force (SAAF), currently held by The National Archives under reference AIR 27/271/2.
Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: The exact date recorded in the 'DATE' column of the image is 20th FEBRUARY, 1945.