Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 2nd April, 1945
APPENDIX "C"199From : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.To : W.I.O. 3 WING S.A.A.F.H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( Attention Operations Records)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU)Ref. : 21S/986Date : 2nd April, 1945.Oprep No. 986 for the period ending 1200 Hrs on the 2nd April, 1945.Ref. Map Italy 1:100,000 Sheet 77 - COMACCHIO.<u>Operation No. 183/21S/M.</u>A : 8 A/C airborne from Jesi L/G between 0940 and 1140 Hrsto attack Pillboxes and Gunpositions at PORTO GARIBALDIpp. M.606670, in support of a special Commando operation.Formation set course from base at 1025 hrs and bombedat 1100 Hrs between 10500' and 11500' on a course of330º. Both Boxes straddled briefed area, at least 80%of bombs in target area. No enemy opposition. Fighterarea cover provided. Weather was clear in target areaand visibility good.B : (1) 8 Marauders III (ii) NilC : (1) & (ii) NilD : (1) 15.20 Hrs (ii) NilE : (1) 27,200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF : (1) 48 x 500 GP Demo Fused (ii) as in (i) (iii) & (iv) Nil32 x 250 GP Frag. Fused.G to V : NilW : (1) 2 Marauders III (ii) NilX : (1) 5.35 Hrs (ii) NilY : 8 x 10 Lbs PracticeZ : NilS.T. Wrigill [handwritten signature]---------------------- LT. / Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.9028SA 21 / 449 2 APR 45 F20 || HH M6167 11500 1056 B I O P
Transcriber's Notes
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer, Lt. S.T. Wrigill (signing for the Captain). Operational Context Target File 271-4_15 documents Operation No. 183/21S/M, a tactical strike executed on the morning of 2nd April 1945. This mission was a direct component of Operation Roast, the Allied commando operation designed to clear Axis forces from the "spit" between Lake Comacchio and the Adriatic Sea. The location of Porto Garibaldi was of high strategic priority because German gun positions and pillboxes there dominated the landing points utilized by British Commandos further south. Neutralizing these defenses was essential to prevent Axis reinforcements from moving south to oppose the landings. The eight Martin Marauder III aircraft achieved "outstanding" results, with at least 80% of the 500 lb and 250 lb GP bombs straddling the briefed target area. This precision bombardment directly supported the ground troops and contributed to the success of the Eighth Army’s preliminary operations ahead of the main spring offensive, Operation Grapeshot. The mission encountered "no enemy opposition" and benefited from "fighter area cover," reflecting the total Allied air superiority maintained by the MAAF during the final month of the Italian Campaign. 16
- 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F
- No. 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force, a medium bomber unit operating within the Desert Air Force (DAF).
- 3 WING S.A.A.F
- No. 3 Wing SAAF, the administrative and tactical higher command overseeing the squadron’s Martin Marauder operations.
- SCORU
- South African Operations Records Unit.
- F20
- Focal length of the camera lens (20 inches) used for high-altitude strike photography.
- HH M6167
- Map reference M. 6167 (specifically pp. M.606670), identifying the coordinates for the target area at Porto Garibaldi on the Comacchio 1:100,000 Sheet 77.
B I O P: Box I, Observer Pilot. Indicates the photo was taken from the lead aircraft of the first four-plane formation (Box I) during the bombing run.
MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied high-explosive ordnance. For this mission, the squadron utilized 500 lb GP Demo and 250 lb GP Frag fuzed bombs.