21 Squadron War Diary
1238 hrs Tortorella, Italy
The National Archives' reference AIR 27/269/2OORLOGSDAGBOEK.—WAR DIARY.OF—VAN21 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE.Van/From 14th February, 1944.Aan/To 14th February, 1944.TORTORELLA.14th | Cont. | 20 minutes after take off with engine trouble. The reserve aircraft was despatched to replace this, but was unable to contact the formation and returned after 50 minutes. Both boxes bombed independently on their respective leaders. No enemy opposition was encountered and all aircraft returned safely by 12.38 hours. Sortie Report No. 552. | Appendix "J"| | A second raid was carried out in the afternoon. This time the target was a supply dump at pinpoint G084570 M.R. Italy 1 : 100,000, Sheet 150 Roma. Both boxes bombed independently on respective box leaders. The leading box made a dummy run, but the second box bombed on first run up. The target was well covered with bombs and three or four fires were started, one with pink smoke, and a direct hit was scored on a road. All aircraft returned to base by 16.40 hours. Sortie Report No. 553. | Appendix "K"