Operation

"X" 193 TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU) H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU) S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F. FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. REF. : 21S/839 DATE : 26th SEPTEMBER, 1944. OPREP NO. 839 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HRS. ON THE 25th SEPTEMBER '44. REF. MAP ITALY, 1:100,000 SHEET 100 FORLI. OPS. NO. 121 to 123 / 21 / M. A. : 12 Marauders airborne from PESCARA at 0928 hrs. to attack a road bridge 4½ miles N.W. of CERVIA (centre M.635298) with 48 x 1000 lbs. Demo. Formations were over target at approximately 1040 hrs. bombing on Box Leader from 12000 to 13000 ft. on courses of 240, 245 and 265° respectively. The first box overshot by about 100 yards, pattern straddling approach road. Second Box - D/H on N.W. approach. Third Box - D/H's on already damaged bridge. Moderate, fairly accurate H.A.A. encountered, 4 A/C holed. Visibility fair to hazy. Weather: 2/10 to 4/10 Cum. at 4000 ft. in target area. Last A/C down by 1150 hrs. B. : (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) Nil C. : (i) & (ii) Nil D. : (i) 26.50 Hrs. (ii) Nil E. : (i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil F. : (i) 48 x 1000 (ii) 47 x 1000 (iii) 1 x 1000 (iv) Nil Fused:- 36 – 28 Nose 36 – 27 Tail. G to V. : Nil W. : (i) 2 Marauders III (ii) Nil X. : (i) 40 Minutes (ii) Nil Y to Z : Nil. (Signed) C.P.P. Nicolle Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

1944-09-26

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * H.Q.: Headquarters * M.A.A.F.: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces * SCORU: Section Central Operational Research Unit * T.A.F.: Tactical Air Force * S.A.O.A.: South African Operational Assistant * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer * OPREP: Operational Report * HRS / hrs. / Hrs.: Hours * OPS. NO.: Operation Number * A/C: Aircraft * N.W.: Northwest * ft.: feet * lbs.: pounds * Demo.: Demolition bombs * D/H / D/H's: Direct Hit / Direct Hits * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak) * Cum.: Cumulus cloud * Capt.: Captain * Observations about Individuals: * Captain C.P.P. Nicolle: The Squadron Intelligence Officer (S.I.O.) whose signature confirms the data for the mission. This period in late September saw Nicolle very active in documenting the squadron's shift toward interdiction bombing as the Allies chased retreating German forces. * Location and Modern Names: * Pescara: The operational base for 21 Squadron. The wartime airfield is today the Abruzzo Airport (Aeroporto d’Abruzzo). * Cervia: A coastal resort town in the Ravenna province. The bridge targeted was 4.5 miles northwest, near the modern-day crossing of the Savio River at Castiglione di Cervia. * Forlì: The reference map for the operation. This area was the gateway to the Po Valley and the site of fierce defensive actions by the German 10th Army. * Historical Theatre Context: * The "Mud Period" Begins: This report covers the final successful operation before a period of "inclement weather" grounded the squadron. September 26, 1944, marked the end of the month's active flying as Pescara Airfield became "unserviceable" due to the intense autumn rains that slowed the entire Allied advance in Italy. * Interdiction Success: The mission was remarkably successful compared to previous attempts on similar targets. Both the second and third boxes achieved direct hits, destroying what was left of the bridge and its northwest approach. These 1,000lb demolition bombs were the heaviest payload the Martin B-26 Marauder III typically carried for tactical support. * Flak Density: Despite the crumbling German front, the "moderate, fairly accurate H.A.A." that holed four aircraft shows that German anti-aircraft units (likely FlaK 36 88mm batteries) remained highly effective in protecting critical river crossings. 35 Target File Verification: The date written in the 'DATE' column of this operational report is 25th SEPTEMBER, 1944.