One of the a/c due to A/A damage and a casualty (slightly

(page obscured on left) : H.Q. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) APPENDIX "O" (obscured) : H.Q. MATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) 86 (obscured) : SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/561 DATE : 24 Feb 44 OPREP No.561 for period ending 2300 Hrs 22nd Feb 44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 158 LITTORIA (obscured) A: 12 Baltimores detailed to bomb CAMPOLEONE RR station F877385. The formation in two boxes took off from BIFERNO L/G from 1443 Hrs and proceeded to the mouth of the VOLTURNO River to rendezvous with 223 Sqdn whom they failed to contact. They flew along the coast and bombed at 1635 Hrs from 12000' on a course of 360°-040° with a left hand turn off target. One of the a/c due to A/A damage and a casualty (slightly wounded) force landed at POMIGLIANO (NAPLES) being escorted there by another a/c of the formation. The remaining 10 a/c had returned to Base by 1700 Hrs several of which were holed by intense and accurate A/A from target area, and on way to coast after turn off. 1st box straddled target with direct hits on station and M/Yds. Second box bombed slightly to right and covered the Rail junction and Road immediately EAST of the station. Direct hits on railway and Road. Visibility was good over target, with a slight ground haze. (obscured) B: (i) 10 Baltimores, Mk.4: 1 Baltimore, Mk.5: 1 Baltimore, Mk.3A: (ii) NIL (obscured) D: (i) Mk.4: 20.40, Mk.5: 2.10. Mk.3A: 2.10 (ii) NIL (obscured) E: (i) Mk.4: 32000 x .30 Mk.5: 3200 x .30 Mk.3A: 3200 x .30 3000 x .303 300 x .303 300 x .303 7000 x .50 700 x .50 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (obscured) F: (i) Mk.4: 20 x 500 MC 49 Det 29 Pistol 30 x 250 GP do do Mk.5: 2 x 500 MC do do 3 x 250 GP do do Mk.3A: 2 x 500 MC do do 3 x 250 GP do do (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (obscured) G: (i) NIL (ii) Several holed (Cat.1) (obscured) No. 280561V. 2/Lt. Case. A.J. slightly wounded Mustering, WOP/AG. (obscured) to V: NIL. (obscured) (i) 1 Mk.5. (ii) NIL (obscured) (i) .20 Mins. (ii) NIL (obscured) NIL (Signature) (Illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-02-24

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Operational Context (Campoleone Afternoon Raid): * The Mission: This was the second raid of the day (Feb 22nd) targeting Campoleone Railway Station, launched just hours after the first mission (Appendix N) landed. This high tempo demonstrates the squadron's capability at the new Biferno base despite the muddy conditions. * Failed Rendezvous: The plan was to link up again with No. 223 Squadron (RAF) at the Volturno River . However, they "failed to contact" them. Instead of aborting or waiting, 21 Squadron pressed on alone. This decision likely exposed them to more concentrated enemy fire, as German gunners had fewer targets to track. * Flak & Casualties: The formation encountered "intense and accurate A/A." One aircraft was hit hard enough to force a diversion to Pomigliano (Naples), escorted by a wingman. * Casualty: 2nd Lieutenant A.J. Case (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) was "slightly wounded" in the action. He is listed with service number 280561V. This matches the War Diary entry for Feb 22nd. * Target Damage: * Despite the opposition, the bombing was effective. The first box "straddled target with direct hits on station and M/Yds [Marshalling Yards]," and the second box hit the "Rail junction and Road immediately EAST." This effectively choked off the railhead supplying the German forces at Anzio. * Aircraft Mix: * The formation was a true mix of variants: 10 Mk.4s, 1 Mk.5, and 1 Mk.3A. This diversity complicated maintenance but was necessary to keep sortie rates high. * Ordnance Fusing: * "49 Det 29 Pistol": The bombs were fused with No. 49 Pistol (Nose) and No. 29 Pistol (Tail). The No. 29 was a non-delay impact pistol, ensuring the bombs detonated instantly on the rails or road surface to create maximum disruption (craters) rather than penetrating deep into the ground. * Abbreviations: * M/Yds: Marshalling Yards. * WOP/AG: Wireless Operator / Air Gunner. * Cat.1: Category 1 damage (repairable at unit). 42 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'P'" containing "Squadron Routine Orders No. 12/44". The date in the header is 22nd February, 1944.