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Aircraft: X Time: 21:00 hrs

Sortie Report (Form 541)

Date
26th SEPTEMBER, 1944
"X"193TO : 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/839DATE : 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) NilC. : (i) & (ii) NilD. : (i) 26.50 Hrs. (ii) NilE. : (i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (i) 48 x 1000 (ii) 47 x 1000 (iii) 1 x 1000 (iv) NilFused:- 36 – 28 Nose 36 – 27 Tail.G to V. : NilW. : (i) 2 Marauders III (ii) NilX. : (i) 40 Minutes (ii) NilY to Z : Nil.(Signed) C.P.P. Nicolle Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

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
OPS. NO
Operation Number
N.W
Northwest

Abbreviations Expanded:

ft.: feet

lbs.: pounds

Observations about Individuals:

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