Operation

TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/595 DATE : 19th March 1944. OPREP No.595 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 18/3/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 150 ROMA A: 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO by 1420 Hrs and, led by 223 Sqdn set course at 1430 Hrs to bomb a MT Petrol Dump on the outskirts of ROME bounded by F784677 - 784682 - 786678. After two dummy runs while searching for a gap through 9/10 cloud the formation attacked in two boxes from 14000' at 1525 Hrs on a course of 120°. First box bombed through cloud from F764683 to 766682. Second box bombed immediately after (line astern) Results generally NOT observed due to cloud. All a/c landed back at base by 1630 Hrs. Route out and back was via SULMONA, AVEZZANO, TIVOLI along which 9/10 cloud was encountered. NO enemy opposition. 8 Spitfires provided area cover. B: (i) 8 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 3 Balts IIIA (ii) NIL (i) 1 Balt V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 17.20 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 6.30 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 2.10 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 9600 x .30 900 x .303 2100 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 16 x 500 MC 24 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 6 x 500 MC 9 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (All Frag. fused: Nose 52 Det 44 Pist. Tail 49 Det 28 Pist) G to V: NIL W: (i) 2 Baltimores Mk.V. (ii) NIL (i) 1.05 Hrs. (ii) NIL Z: NIL. S.L. Boshoff Lt. Capt SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-03-19

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Targeting Rome's Periphery: * The Target: The mission targeted a "MT (Motor Transport) Petrol Dump on the outskirts of ROME". The specific coordinates (F784677) place this dump north/northeast of the city center, likely near the Via Salaria or Via Nomentana. The Allies were systematically hunting for the fuel reserves keeping the German 10th and 14th Armies mobile. * Sensitivity: Like the previous day's raid (Sortie 594), this attack required extreme precision to hit military supplies without damaging the historic city or the Vatican. The "dummy runs" were likely flown not just to find a gap in the clouds but to ensure positive identification of the dump before releasing ordnance. * Tactical Execution (Dummy Runs): * Risky Maneuver: The formation performed "two dummy runs while searching for a gap through 9/10 cloud". Flying straight and level over a target multiple times without dropping bombs is incredibly dangerous, as it gives flak gunners ample time to calculate altitude and speed ("getting the range"). The fact that "NO enemy opposition" was encountered is extremely fortunate and surprising for a target near Rome. * Route Geography: * The route "via SULMONA, AVEZZANO, TIVOLI" describes a wide arc from the Adriatic base (Biferno), over the central Apennines (Sulmona/Avezzano), to approach Rome from the Northeast (Tivoli). This route kept them over mountainous terrain for most of the flight, using the terrain for masking until the final run-in. * Fleet Updates: * Section W notes "2 Baltimores Mk.V" flying non-operational hours (likely testing). This confirms the gradual introduction of the Mark V variant into the squadron's lineup, replacing the aging Mark IIIAs and IVs. * Abbreviations: * MT: Motor Transport. * Frag: Fragmentation (referring to the fuse settings, though the loadout lists MC and GP bombs, suggesting "Frag" might be a typo or referring to a specific fuse setting used for surface bursts). * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * GP: General Purpose. 59 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is titled "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 23/44" and is dated 19th March, 1944. It is signed for Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C.