Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 22nd AUGUST, 1944
APPENDIX "J"116TO : 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/802DATE : 22nd AUGUST, 1944OPREP 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/MA. : 12 Marauders airborne from PESCARA at 0830 hrs to attackRAVENNA M/YARDS. EIGHT SPITFIRES provided close escortfrom FALCONARA. Formations bombed on box leaders lineastern at 1004 hrs. from about 11,000 feet on a courseof 285º. First box overshot into RAVENNA town withnumerous D/H's on buildings. Second box straddled centre ofM/Yards with a concentrated pattern, a large explosion(followed by fire) occurring on western edge of yardsat M.572384. Intense accurate H.A.A. encountered whileover target until crossing coast. Eleven out of twelveA/C holed; three personnel slightly injured and a fourthsustained severe wound in the thigh — not critical.All A/C down by 1130 hrs.Weather:- Target clear. Visibility:- Good to fair slighthaze.B. : (1) 12 Marauders 111 (ii) NilC. : (1) 4 (ii) NilD. : (1) 35.10 hrs. (ii) NilE. : (1) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (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). . . . . . .SlightLt. Steenkamp (Observer). . . . .SlightLt. Fairweather ( WT/AG ). . . . .SlightW/O. van Willingh (AG). . . . . . .Severe wound in(thigh)J. : NilX. : (1) 1 Mar. 111 (ii) NilY. : (1) 00.25 hrs (ii) NilZ. : Nil(Signed) S.L. BoschoffLt. for Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. MAAF
- Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Special Central Operational Reporting Unit.
- TAF
- Tactical Air Force.
- SAOS S.A.A.F
- South African Operational Section, South African Air Force.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- D/H's
- Direct Hits.
- H.A.A
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- Mar
- Marauder (Aircraft).
Abbreviations Expanded:
Observations about Individuals:
Location and Strategic Geography:
Historical Theatre Context: