Operation

APPENDIX "D" 308 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/705 DATE : 4th June, 1944 OPREP No. 705 for the period ending 2100 Hrs on the 3rd June, 1944 REF MAP : YUGOSLAVIA 1:100,000 SHEET 109 OMIS 12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1418 hrs to bomb OMIS HARBOUR. Formation set course from PENNA POINT at 1447 hrs with an escort of six Spitfires. Attack took place at 1536 hrs from 11000' on a Course of 060°. Pattern from both boxes fell alongside each other covering area U73318 - U76320, U76319 - U74317. Only six or seven bombs in water. Several direct hits followed by explosions on Warehouse at the S.W. tip of harbour and explosion with purple brown smoke from building just East of deep water berth. Stick carried into the Eastern portion of the town. No enemy opposition. Weather good. All A/c landed by 1638 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts Mk V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 13.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 13.00 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fused: 49 - 27 Nose, 36 - 28 Tail) (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL G to Z : NIL W: (i) 2 Balts Mk III (ii) NIL (i) 1 Balt Mk V (ii) NIL (i) 0.15 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 0.15 Hrs (ii) NIL Y 2: NIL ADDENDUM to OPREP No. 702 dated 2nd June, 1944 Baltimore 380 (S) "S" hit by flak immediately after bombing. A/c responding normally, but oil was pouring out of port engine which started to smoke. Pilot switched off, turned off petrol and engaged fire extinguishers. A/c was then flying normally on one engine. Oil pressure dropped suddenly and engine started to smoke. Pilot switched off and put A/c into a glide, estimated height at the time 3000'. Crash landed in a field near road at approximately M201999 (ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 170 TERRACINA). Towards the end of the belly landing, A/c broke up in two and port engine tore out. Observer and two gunners were thrown out. Pilot was extricated from his cockpit by American M/P's. Observer has both ankles fractured and a fracture of the spine, still in hospital. Top-turret gunner lacerated face, still in hospital. Pilot and W/Op-AG both with lacerated faces, returned to Squadron. A/c badly damaged, left under guard of American M/P's. F.L Major Dalling D.F.C Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-06-04

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * The Crash of Baltimore "S" (A Vivid Account): * Historical Connection: The "ADDENDUM" at the bottom of this page provides the harrowing details of the crash mentioned in previous documents (Files 1 and 16). This refers to the aircraft flown by Lt. Mackay on June 1st, 1944. * The Sequence of Failure: The report describes a cascading mechanical failure following flak damage. First, the port engine was hit and smoked, forcing a shutdown. Then, critically, the remaining engine failed ("Oil pressure dropped suddenly and engine started to smoke"), turning the heavy bomber into a glider. * The Crash Site: They crashed near Terracina (Map Ref M201999). Terracina is on the coast between Rome and Naples and had been liberated by the US 85th Infantry Division around May 24th. This explains why "American M/P's" (Military Police) were the first responders on the scene to extricate the pilot. * Injuries: The report clarifies the extent of Lt. Edmayr's (the Observer) injuries: "both ankles fractured and a fracture of the spine.". This severe trauma occurred because the nose of the aircraft (where the Observer sits) often takes the brunt of the impact when the fuselage breaks up. * Target: Omiš Harbour (Yugoslavia): * Partisan Support: The main report details a strike on Omiš (spelled OMIS), a small port south of Split. The observation of an "explosion with purple brown smoke" suggests a hit on a specific chemical or fuel store. The "purple" hue is distinct from the usual white (stone dust) or black (oil) smoke, possibly indicating calcium carbide or other industrial materials often found in Yugoslav ports. * Leadership: * Major Dalling: The document is signed by F.L. (Flight Leader) Major Dalling D.F.C. As noted in the diary for June 30th (File 13), Major Dalling was posted "Tour Expired" at the end of the month, making this one of his final combat leads. * Abbreviations: * M/P's: Military Police. * S.W.: South West. * A/c: Aircraft. * W/Op-AG: Wireless Operator / Air Gunner. 20 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 5th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 706) labeled APPENDIX "E" (page number 309).