Operation

APPENDIX "J" 116 TO : H.Q. MAAF ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU) : H.Q. TAF ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU) : SAOS S.A.A.F. FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. REF. : 21S/802 DATE : 22nd AUGUST, 1944 OPREP NO. 802 FOR THE 24 HOURS ENDING 2100 HRS. ON THE 21st AUGUST, 1944. REF MAP:- ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET NO. 89 RAVENNA. OPERATION NO. 6/21/M A. : 12 Marauders airborne from PESCARA at 0830 hrs to attack RAVENNA M/YARDS. EIGHT SPITFIRES provided close escort from FALCONARA. Formations bombed on box leaders line astern at 1004 hrs. from about 11,000 feet on a course of 285º. First box overshot into RAVENNA town with numerous D/H's on buildings. Second box straddled centre of M/Yards with a concentrated pattern, a large explosion (followed by fire) occurring on western edge of yards at M.572384. Intense accurate H.A.A. encountered while over target until crossing coast. Eleven out of twelve A/C holed; three personnel slightly injured and a fourth sustained severe wound in the thigh — not critical. All A/C down by 1130 hrs. Weather:- Target clear. Visibility:- Good to fair slight haze. B. : (1) 12 Marauders 111 (ii) Nil C. : (1) 4 (ii) Nil D. : (1) 35.10 hrs. (ii) Nil E. : (1) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil F. : (1) 48x1000 (ii) 48x1000 (iii) & (iv) Nil (Fusing: 36-27 Nose) ( " : 35-28 Tail) G. : NIL (ii) 11 Mar. 111 (Cat.1) H. : Wounded:- Lt. Hindson ( Pilot). . . . . . .Slight Lt. Steenkamp (Observer). . . . .Slight Lt. Fairweather ( WT/AG ). . . . .Slight W/O. van Willingh (AG). . . . . . .Severe wound in (thigh) J. : Nil X. : (1) 1 Mar. 111 (ii) Nil Y. : (1) 00.25 hrs (ii) Nil Z. : Nil (Signed) S.L. Boschoff Lt. for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.