Operation

APPENDIX "D" 234 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON, SAAF REF : 21S/654 DATE : 4th May, 1944 OPREP No 654 for period ending 2100 hrs 3/5/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 137 VITERBO 12 Balts airborne at 1345 hrs and (with 223 Squadron) set course over base for Isernia, where a close escort of 12 Spitfires was picked up. Formation then proceeded to Terni and turned on to track on Ammo Dump at A525945 (near Orte) from 11,000 ft at 1515 hrs. The bombs of the formation fell in a concentrated pattern to the left of the target, with 2/3rds on nearby roads and buildings. The end of the pattern finished in the southern end of the target, with 2-3 hits in target area. B: (i) 8 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 4 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL. D: (i) 21.20 hrs (ii) NIL (i) 10.40 hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 12 x 500 MC 20 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 8 x 500 MC 12 x 250 GP (ii) as above (iii) & (iv) NIL FUSED: 49 det 27 pist NOSE 36 det 28 pist TAIL G to Z: NIL. S.L. Boshoff Lt for Capt SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. (Handwritten note): FL Major Dalling

1944-05-04

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Conflicting Reports (The Fog of War): * Duplicate Sortie Number: This document presents a fascinating archival anomaly. It is labeled Sortie Report No. 654 and Appendix "D". A previous document (File 269-5_12.jpg, Page 226) also bore these exact labels but contained a more optimistic damage assessment ("Direct Hits... large explosion"). * The Correction: This version (Page 234), filed on May 4th, seems to be a more sober or detailed correction of the mission flown on May 3rd. It admits that the bombs "fell in a concentrated pattern to the left of the target" and that only "2-3 hits" landed in the target area proper, with the majority striking "nearby roads and buildings". This honesty is crucial for the Scientific Operational Research Unit (SCORU) to accurately assess bombing accuracy and effectiveness. * The Target: Orte (Viterbo Sheet): * The target remains the Ammo Dump at A525945 near Orte, referenced on the Viterbo map sheet. Orte was a vital logistics hub north of Rome. The fact that most bombs missed the dump but hit "roads and buildings" suggests that while the specific ammo piles might have been spared, the transport infrastructure around them (roads) was still degraded, contributing to the overall interdiction goals. * Tactical Execution: * Route: The formation followed a specific route: Base -> Isernia (Rendezvous with Spitfires) -> Terni -> Target. Picking up the fighter escort at Isernia was standard procedure; proceeding past that point without "Little Friends" was against doctrine for medium bombers. * Flight Leader: The handwritten note identifies "FL: Major Dalling". Major Dalling was another of the squadron's experienced flight commanders, entrusted with leading a combined wing of 24 bombers (12 from 21 Sqdn + 12 from 223 Sqdn). * Abbreviations: * Balts: Baltimore aircraft. * 1V / V: Mark IV / Mark V variants. * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * GP: General Purpose. * SCORU: Scientific Operational Research Unit. * FL: Flight Leader. 22 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 4th May, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 655) labeled APPENDIX "E", detailing the mission flown on the morning of May 4th, 1944.