21 Squadron War Diary
1443 hrs Biferno, Italy
The National Archives' reference AIR 27/269/2OORLOGSDAGBOEK.—WAR DIARY.OF—VAN21 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE.Van/From 28th February, 1944.Aan/To 26th February, 1944.BIFERNO.28th | Cont. | tained a direct hit, but fortunately the shell did not explode, going through the aircraft and missing the C.O. by inches. No movements were observed in the target area. One stationery train was observed in Chieti Railway Station. Sortie Report No. 567. Appendix "U"| | The second raid was at 14.43 hours and Chieti Cellulose Factory was the target. A cover of four Spitfires was provided over target area. Visibility over the target area was good but bombing results were not well observed owing to evasive action through A.A., but it appeared that the target was slightly undershot. Heavy, intense and accurate A.A. was encountered soon after crossing the bomb line. Only eleven aircraft returned. The missing aircraft fell out of the formation soon after bombing. A message was received from the Army that the one aircraft crashed. Four parachutes were seen to open.