Operation

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/600 DATE : 23rd March 1944 OPREP No.600 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 22/3/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 146 SULMONA. A: 13 Baltimores were airborne by 1645 Hrs to bomb POPOLI Rd and Rail Junction at G858967. One a/c crashed on take off due to Port engine cuttt cutting, (Cat.11) The remainder set course at 1650 Hrs after R/V with 223 Sqdn (21 Leading) and attacked in 2 boxes line astern at 1717 Hrs from 11500' on a course of about 340°. A lateral error of about 250 yds resulted, a long pattern of bombs commencing at G862965 (in the Northern portion of the town) and extending across the river and railway line to G861971. All a/c landed at base by 1818 Hrs. NO enemy opposition was encountered. Two 250 lb and one 500 lb bomb hung-up. The latter was jettisoned at G871850 and the former were brought back. Weather in target area was good with scattered 4/10 St/Cu at 10000'. 4 Spitfires provided area cover. B: (i) 5 Balts V. (ii) NIL (i) 8 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 2 Balts IIIA (ii) NIL C: NIL. D: (i) 3.50 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 13.40 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 3.30 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 9600 x .30 900 x .303 2100 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 6400 x .30 600 x .303 1400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 6 x 500 MC 9 x 250 GP (ii) 4 x 500 MC 9 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC 24 x 250 GP (ii) 15 x 500 MC 23 x 250 GP (iii) x 5000 XXX NIL Fused 47 Det 27 Pis. (Nose) 49 Det 28 Pis (Tail) (i) 4 x 500 MC 6 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL G: 1 Baltimore V. (Cat.11) to V: NIL W: (i) 2 Baltimores Mk.IIIA. (ii) NIL (i) 1.40 Hours. (ii) NIL Z: NIL. S.L. Boshoff Lt. Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-03-23

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Another Major Crash (Cat.11): * The Incident: The report documents a severe accident right at the start of the mission: "One a/c crashed on take off due to Port engine cutting, (Cat.11)". Losing an engine on takeoff in a twin-engine bomber like the Baltimore was often fatal. The aircraft would yaw violently into the dead engine (asymmetric thrust) and, being heavy with fuel and bombs, would stall and cartwheel. * The Aircraft: The loss is identified in Section G as a Baltimore V (Cat.11). This was one of the squadron's brand-new aircraft. Cat.11 confirms it was a total write-off. The lack of "personnel casualties" noted (unlike previous reports) might imply the crew survived, or simply that it wasn't recorded here, but typically "Cat.11" crashes were violent. * Targeting (Popoli): * Strategic Choke Point: The target was the Popoli Road and Rail Junction. Popoli is situated in a deep valley in the Abruzzo region where the Aterno-Pescara river flows. It was a critical node connecting the Adriatic coast to Rome and the interior. Bombing the junction aimed to sever the lateral communication lines of the German army. * Bombing Error: The formation suffered a "lateral error of about 250 yds," meaning the main concentration of bombs landed slightly to the side of the aim point. However, the stick was long enough to extend "across the river and railway line," likely causing disruption despite the inaccuracy. * Ordnance Issues Persist: * Hung Bombs: The chronic issue of "hung-up" bombs continued. "Two 250 lb and one 500 lb bomb hung-up". * Jettison vs. Return: The crew chose to jettison the heavy 500lb bomb (at coordinate G871850) but "brought back" the two smaller 250lb bombs. Landing with loose or stuck explosives was a calculated risk, balanced against the need to save ordinance and avoid dropping live bombs on friendly or neutral territory. * Abbreviations: * Cat.11: Category 11 Damage (Destroyed/Write-off). * St/Cu: Stratocumulus clouds. * Pis: Pistol (Fuse mechanism). * R/V: Rendezvous. 63 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 25th March 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 602) detailing a mission flown on March 24th, 1944 (noted in the "period ending" line).