Sortie Report (Form 541)
R.A.F. Form 441 A.SORTIE REPORT(Part A.)84Sheet No. 1Oprep. Ref. No. 355Date. 28 Jul 43Squadron. 21 SAAFType of Aircraft. 11 BALTIMORES (8 Mk 3A, 3 Mk 3)Aircraft No. ) as per list.Aircraft Letter. )Leader of formation.Captain Major CORMACK.Crew. Lt. LOMBAARD.Lt. VILJOEN.F/Sgt. FINBERG.Time Up. 0833 hrs LT 1st aircraftTime Down. 1102 hrs LT last aircraftTotal Time. 25 hours 40 mins.Aerodrome or L.G. HALFARType of Cloud. S/CuAmount of Cloud. 8/10Base of Cloud. 14000Visibility. 6 miles – haze.General Weather. GoodMap or Chart Reference.SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12.TARGET CHART 2/100/A-NATask or Duty. MED LEVEL BOMBING ATTACK REGALBUTO VILLAGE.| Time | Height | Place | Narrative ||---|---|---|---|| 0833 | | Halfar | Airborne || 0857 | 2000 | | Set course PALAZZOLO || 0929 | 8700 | Palazzolo | Set course CALTAGIRONE. Picked up 6 fighter escort. || 0935 | 11000 | Caltagirone | Set course target. || 0941 | 10000 | Target | Bombed 350° || 0945 | 8000 | Catenanuova | Set course PALAZZOLO || 1024 | 6000 | Palazzolo | Set course Base. || 1045 | 1200 | Halfar | || 1052 | | Halfar | Landed. || 1102 | | | Last aircraft landed. |(Signature: J.S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- R.A.F
- Royal Air Force.
- Oprep. Ref. No
- Operational Report Reference Number.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- LT
- Local Time.
- L.G
- Landing Ground.
- S/Cu
- Stratocumulus (cloud type).
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
Centuripe Village (The actual target struck): A highly strategic hilltop town often called the "Gateway to the Simeto". While the Sortie Report lists the duty as Regalbuto, the companion OPREP confirms the formation bombed Centuripe. Striking this town was critical for supporting the British 78th "Battleaxe" Division, which was preparing to assault this formidable natural fortress.