Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 24th SEPTEMBER, 1944
"W"192TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU.H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU)S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/838DATE : 24th SEPTEMBER, 1944.OPREP NO. 838 FOR THE PERIOD 1400 TO 2100 HRS. 23rd SEPTEMBER, 1944.REF. MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 100 FORLI.OPS. NO. 118 to 120 / 21 / MA. : Airborne from PESCARA at 1354 hrs., 12 Marauders( in 3 Boxes of 4 A/C), set out to attack Road Bridge over NOVIA River p.p. M.642294, with 1000 lbs Demo Bombs.The three Boxes were over Target at 1502 hrs. and attacked from 11500, 11800, and 13000 feet respectively.The first Box Bombed on a course of 235° and straddled Southern approach of Bridge. Photo interpretation shows no damage to the Bridge. 4 x 1000 lbs. Demo Hungup - Brought Back.Attacking on a course of 250° the second Box had a slight lateral right error. Direct Hits were scored on approach road.The Third Box, on a course of 245°, had a undershoot and scored a direct hit on the already broken R.R. Bridge.Moderate H.A.A. Inaccurate - one A/C received a small hole.Weather over target was fair. Visibility fair to hazy. Enroute 6/10 to 8/10 Cum. at 5000 ft.Last A/C down by 1610 hrs.B. : (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (i) & (ii) NilD. : (i) 27.00 Hrs. (ii) NilE. : (i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (i) 48 x 1000 (ii) 44 x 1000 (iii) & (iv) NilFused 36 - 28 Nose 36 - 27 Tail.G to V. : NilW. : (i) 1 Marauder III (ii) NilX. : (i) 2.05 Hrs. (ii) NilY to Z. : Nil(Signed) C.P.P. Nicolle Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q
- Headquarters.
- M.A.A.F
- Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Central Operational Research Unit.
- T.A.F
- Tactical Air Force.
- S.A.O.A
- South African Operational Assistant.
- S.A.A.F
- South African Air Force.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- NOVIA River
- The text records "NOVIA," but the grid reference M.642294 and the context of the Forlì map sheet (Sheet 100) confirm the target was actually a bridge over the Savio River. The Savio was a major natural defensive line for the Germans in the Emilia-Romagna region.
Abbreviations Expanded:
p.p.: pinpoint (target coordinates).
lbs: pounds (weight).
ft.: feet.
Observations about Individuals:
Location and Modern Names:
Historical Theatre Context: