Wednesday, 1 December 1943

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21 Squadron War Diary

1445 hrs Tortorella, Italy
The weather was bad and only one raid was carried out to-day. In this twelve Baltimores from this Squadron set off at 14.45 hours to attack defended gun positions in areas G. 885200, 890195, 875175, 870182. The first box undershot, and their bombs fell on the Eastern slope of the mountain; the second box hit the Southern portion of the target, bombs exploding in area G. 883183 – G. 875178, one direct hit was noted on the railway.Sortie Report No. 469

Transcriber's Notes

San Ambrogio (Sant'Ambrogio sul Garigliano): The target on December 2nd is Sant'Ambrogio, a village located at the strategic confluence of the Liri and Garigliano rivers. This position was a linchpin of the German Bernhardt Line (the forward belt of the Gustav Line). Controlling this high ground allowed the Germans to dominate the entrance to the Liri Valley, which was the Allied route to Rome. The mention of "bursts short of the river" refers to the Garigliano River, a formidable natural obstacle.

AIR 27/268 · The National Archives