Thursday, 25 November 1943

1103 hrs

21 Squadron War Diary

1103 hrs Tortorella, Italy

Lt. Col. C.P. Kotzé, the new Commanding Officer, together with Lt. Carter, his observer reported for duty to-day. A formation of twelve aircraft left at 11.03 hours to bomb troop concentrations at FOSSACESIA. The bombs dropped well in the target area; hits were observed on buildings and the road N.W. of the town, smoke rising to a great height.Sortie Report No. 457.

Transcriber's Notes

L.T: Local Time.
Lt. Col: Lieutenant Colonel.
Col: Colonel.
C.P: Cape Province, South Africa.
N.W: North West.

Battle of the Sangro (The "Shuttle Service"): The entry for November 26th vividly describes the massive Allied air effort preceding the ground assault across the Sangro River (which launched on Nov 28th). The "shuttle service" refers to the relentless tempo of sorties made possible by the "bright and sunny" weather, a rare break in the winter gloom. Tactical bombers like the Baltimore would bomb, return to Foggia (a short flight), re-arm, and return immediately to the front.

AIR 27/268 · The National Archives