Operation

APPENDIX "X" 52 TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ MATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/766 DATE : 17th July, 1944 OPREP No. 766 for the period ending 10.00 hrs on the 17th July, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 117 JESI A: 12 Baltimores airborne at 0710 to attack a GUN AREA on the coast 5 miles West of ANCONA. Formation set course from PESCARA at 0739 and bombed in boxes line astern at 0820 from 11000' on a course of 240°. Pattern of both boxes merged through centre of area contained between pin points S534460 - S53476 - S26470 - S27454. No enemy opposition. Fighter area cover provided. Weather: 2-3/10th cloud at 2000' in area but target clear, visibility fair. All A/C down by 0920. B: (i) 5 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 7 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 9.35 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 13.25 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 10 x 500 M.C. 15 x 250 G.P. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fused: 52 - 44 Nose) (i) 14 x 500 M.C. 21 x 250 G.P. (ii) 12 x 500 18 x 250 (iii) & (iv) NIL G to Z: NIL Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-07-17

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Operational Context (The Liberation of Ancona): * Strategic Timing: This sortie (No. 766) on the morning of July 17th, 1944, was one of the final air strikes before the liberation of Ancona. After weeks of intense fighting, the Polish II Corps launched their final assault on this day, successfully entering the city on July 18th. * Targeting Coastal Defenses: The target, a "GUN AREA on the coast 5 miles West of ANCONA," was likely part of the German 278th Infantry Division's coastal battery network. These guns were positioned to deny the Allies use of the coastal road and to fire upon advancing Polish armor. * Tactical Execution (Precision Success): * Line Astern Tactic: The formation utilized a "boxes line astern" approach. In this configuration, one six-ship box follows directly behind the other, allowing the second box to adjust their aim based on the lead box's impact. * Results: The tactic worked perfectly; the report states the "Pattern of both boxes merged through centre of area". This created a high-density "carpet" of high explosives over the German gun pits. * Lack of Opposition: Notably, the report mentions "No enemy opposition.". By this point, Allied "Cab Rank" fighter-bombers had largely suppressed or destroyed the German flak batteries in the immediate coastal sector, allowing the Baltimores to bomb with relative impunity. * Geography and Modern Identification: * Jesi (Sheet 117): The map reference shifted to JESI, a town inland from Ancona. This indicates the front line was rapidly moving northwest toward the next major German defensive position, the Metauro River. * Falconara Marittima: The location "5 miles West of Ancona" corresponds to the modern town of Falconara Marittima, where the regional airport is now located. During the war, this area was a vital bottleneck for German forces retreating toward the Gothic Line. * Aircraft Performance (The Baltimore’s Sunset): * Flight Hours: The mission was relatively short (approx. 2 hours and 10 minutes total flight time). The 9.35 Hours and 13.25 Hours in Section D represent the aggregate flight time for the five Mark IV and seven Mark V Baltimores respectively. * End of an Era: While not mentioned in this specific appendix, the War Diary for July 1944 indicates that these were some of the final combat missions for 21 Squadron's Baltimores before the full conversion to the Martin B-26 Marauder was completed at the end of the month. * Abbreviations Expanded: * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer (Capt. Hallick). * OPREP: Operational Report. * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit. * MAAF: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. * MATAF: Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force. * SAOA: Senior Air Officer Administration. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * G.P.: General Purpose. * A/C: Aircraft. * NIL: None. 54 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 18th July, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (Appendix "Y") labeled 53 in the top right corner.