NO hits claimed. All a/c returned by 1107 Hrs. NO enemy

APPENDIX "T" 203 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/635 DATE : 18th April 1944 OPREP No.635 for period ending 1200 Hrs on 17/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 131 FOLIGNO 12 Baltimores detailed to attack an AMMO DUMP at A905600 (near SPOLETO) with a mixed load of delay and instantaneous bombs. Accompanied by 223 Sqdn and a close escort of 16 Spitfires, formation set course from PENNA Point (21 Sqdn leading) at 0930 Hrs. Attacked in two boxes line astern from 9500' at 1005 Hrs on a course of 245°. Pattern of both boxes merged from A907603 to 902601, resulting in a line error along Northern right edge of target. NO hits claimed. All a/c returned by 1107 Hrs. NO enemy opposition. Weather good over target, visibility hazy. B: (i) 7 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 5 Balts V (ii) NIL NIL D: (i) 17.30 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 12.30 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 28 x 500 MC (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 20 x 500 MC (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL Fusing: 36, 49 - 27 NOSE 49 - 28 TAIL 12, 6 - 12 Hr Delay, 52 - 37 TAIL G to Z: NIL S.L. Boshoff Capt SIO 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

1944-04-18

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * The Spoleto Campaign (Third Strike): * Persistent Targeting: This mission marks the third consecutive raid on the Spoleto Ammunition Dumps in just two days (following Sorties 633 and 634 on April 16th). Allied intelligence clearly prioritized this logistics hub, attempting to starve the German front lines of munitions before the major spring offensives (Operation Diadem). * Failed Execution: Unlike the previous day's success, this mission was a failure. The report frankly states: "NO hits claimed". The bomb pattern suffered a "line error along Northern right edge of target," meaning the entire load landed just outside the objective area. * Tactics & Ordnance: * Harassment Fusing: The squadron continued using a "mixed load of delay and instantaneous bombs," specifically "12, 6 - 12 Hr Delay" fuses. Even though they missed the main dump, unexploded 500lb bombs with long-delay fuses buried in the surrounding fields would still pose a significant hazard to local traffic and farmers, creating an area-denial effect. * Escort: The formation reverted to a "close escort of 16 Spitfires" (after using Mustangs the previous afternoon). This indicates that fighter assignments were fluid, likely depending on which fighter wing was available or the specific range requirements of the day. * Formation Dynamics: * Combined Force: The mission was flown "Accompanied by 223 Sqdn," with 21 Squadron leading. Flying as a multi-squadron wing allowed for a heavier weight of attack but required strict coordination at the rendezvous point (Penna Point). * Altitude: The attack altitude was 9,500 feet. This medium altitude was a compromise: low enough for reasonable accuracy (usually), but high enough to avoid light flak. The "hazy" visibility likely contributed to the aiming error. * Abbreviations: * 1V / V: Mark IV / Mark V (Baltimore variants). * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * SCORU: Scientific Operational Research Unit. 36 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 18th April 44 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 636) labeled APPENDIX "U", detailing the mission flown on the afternoon of April 17th, 1944.