Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 6 MAY 43
P O S T A G R A M"F"To: H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.From: S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/287Date: 6 MAY 43.OPREP No. 287 for period ending 1800 hrs. 6 MAY 43.A Enemy positions in St. CYPRIEN area.B 18 Baltimores.C (1) Medium level bombing.(11) 8/9,000 ft.(111) 1510 hrs. to 1511 hrs. L.T.D (1) 102 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods.)(11) Nil.(111) Formation bombed in three boxes of six, and bombs dropped in area bounded by approx. pp. J 900500, 934495, 930505, & 915513. Direct hits scored on main roads and buildings. Bursts observed near Ack/Ack guns firing from J 9252. No other results observed.E A/C FA 115 'M' hit by Ack/Ack near port engine which caught fire. A/C seen to go down in steep dive and explode on the ground near J 8650 at 1510 hrs. None of crew seen to bale out.F Missing: Capt. A.G.M. Budd (Pilot)Lt. J. Sadler (Observer)F/O W.W.H. Cornelius (W. Operator)F/Sgt. C.R. Woods (Air Gunner)Major A.T.A. Wallace (Special Army Observer - Bedfordshire - Hertfordshire Regiment)G Nil.H (1) 1354 hrs.(11) 39 hrs. 00 mins.J General weather good. Visibility fair. Haze over battle area. 9/10 - 10/10 St.Cu. SE of TUNIS.K Intense and accurate A/A for No. 3 Box only. From TEBOURBA area.3 HAA guns at J 8545.4 " " " J 8317.3 " " " J 8657.2 " " " J 9252.Some flashes from J 9020.COMM. Nil.T.O.O. 1800 hrs. 6 MAY 43.[Handwritten Signature]........................Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- S.A.A.F
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- Baltimores
- Martin Baltimore twin-engine light bombers, utilized by 21 Squadron for medium-level tactical interdiction.
- L.T
- Local Time.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- F/O
- Flying Officer.
- W. Operator
- Wireless Operator.
- St.Cu
- Stratocumulus (cloud type).
GP 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose 250 lb bombs utilizing 1943 Rod-type detonators, which extended from the nose to ensure instantaneous surface detonation for maximum fragmentation effect.
pp.: Pinpoints (referring to specific map coordinates).