Operation

APPENDIX "T" 331 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/723 DATE : 16th June, 1944 OPREP No. 723 for the period ending 1100 hrs on the 16th June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 116 GUBBIO 12 Baltimores off from BIFERNO at 0810 to attack a RAIL BRIDGE near C.A.O.L.I at R954378. With a close escort of 4 Spitfires, formation set course from PENNA POINT via the sea and turned inland at LORETO, where slight inaccurate H.A.A. was encountered. Original target not identified and formation bombed a rail bridge at R997390, on the same railway and three miles from target briefed. Attack was from 11000 on a course of 250° at 0920 hrs. First box straddled bridge, and second box overshot slightly. D/H on small building at end of pattern, followed by explosion. Weather: clear over target, with slight haze. All A/c down by 1035 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 15.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 15.00 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL 45 fused: 36 - 28 Tail 3 fused: 52 - 37 Tail (6 - 12 delay) (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL to Z: NIL S.L. Boshoff Lt for Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF. FL Lt Col Jandrell DFC

1944-06-16

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Form 541

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Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target Switching (Cagli to "Opportunity"): * Original Objective: The briefing was to attack a "RAIL BRIDGE near C.A.O.L.I [Cagli] at R954378.". Cagli is a town on the Via Flaminia, a critical Roman road used by the Germans as a supply artery. The document misspells it "CAOLI". * In-Flight Adjustment: The report notes the "Original target not identified.". This was common in the Apennines, where deep valleys and haze could obscure landmarks. * Secondary Target: Instead of returning with bombs, the formation attacked a "rail bridge at R997390, on the same railway and three miles from target briefed." This flexibility demonstrates the pilots' autonomy to engage "targets of opportunity" that served the same strategic purpose (cutting the Cagli rail line). * Tactical Execution: * Route: The formation flew "via the sea and turned inland at LORETO.". Loreto is famous for its Basilica housing the Holy House of the Virgin Mary. It was a prominent visual landmark for navigators turning inland from the Adriatic coast. * Explosion: The report mentions a "D/H [Direct Hit] on small building at end of pattern, followed by explosion.". A secondary explosion suggests the building was likely an ammo dump, a fuel store, or a track-side maintenance shed containing volatile materials. * Leadership: * Lt. Col. Jandrell: The mission was led by the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Jandrell DFC (signed as FL).. His leadership here is notable following the "hang-up" accident on June 14th (File 38). Getting back in the air quickly after a near-disaster was standard practice to maintain nerve and authority. * S.I.O. Transition: The report is signed by "S.L. Boshoff, Lt for Capt." This confirms that Lieutenant Boshoff was temporarily covering the Squadron Intelligence Officer role, likely while Capt. Hallick was away or indisposed. * Abbreviations: * C.A.O.L.I: Cagli (a town in the Marche region). * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * D/H: Direct Hit. * A/c: Aircraft. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. 43 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 17th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 724) labeled APPENDIX "U" (page number 332).