Sortie Report (Form 541)
APPENDIX "K"FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORD)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU)S.A.O.A. ADV. S.A.A.F. H.Q. C.M.F.W.I.O. 3 WING S.A.A.F.OPREP No. 894 FOR PERIOD OF 24 Hrs. ENDING 2100 Hrs. 31st. DECEMBER 1944.REF. MAP : ITALY 1-100,000 SHEET 50 PADOVA.SORTIE No: 137/21S/M.(K) 12 Marauders airborne from JESI L/G. at 1222 Hrs. to bomb CASTEL FRANCO VENETO M/Yds. (G 3977). They formed up in three boxes of four A/C each and after rendezvous with 6 Spitfires at BALEARIA, they set course towards target at 1307 Hrs. They climbed up to 15000' over a bank of cloud but encountered another one at 45 degrees Lat. NORTH which appeared to extend up to 17000'. After searching vainly for a gap, the A/C. turned back at 1352 Hrs. position about 20 miles South-East of VENICE. One A/C had returned early owing to electric wires shorting and smoke issuing from under the navigator's table. The remaining A/C. after jettisoning their bomb-load at sea (on instructions from base, due to 20/25m.p.h. crosswind on runway), all landed safely by 1535 Hrs.(W) (i) 12 Marauders Mk.iii (ii) Nil.(X) (i) & (ii) Nil.(Y) (i) 28.35 Hrs. (ii) Nil.(Z) (i) 40800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil.(P) (i) 72 x 500 G.P. (ii) Nil. (iii) 66 x 500 (iv) Nil.48 x 250 G.P. 44 x 250Fused: 27-49 Nose, 28-36 Tail.(Q) to (Z). Nil.(Signature: Halliwell) Halliwell Captain,S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer
- S.A.A.F
- South African Air Force
- M.A.A.F
- Mediterranean Allied Air Forces
- M.A.T.A.F
- Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force
- SCORU
- South African Corps of Records
- S.A.O.A
- South African Officer in Charge of Administration
- C.M.F
- Central Mediterranean Force
- W.I.O
- Wing Intelligence Officer
- OPREP
- Operational Report
- L/G
- Landing Ground
Abbreviations Expanded:
Observations about Individuals:
Information about the Location:
Historical Theatre Context: