Operation

P O S T A G R A M. 58 To : HQ. RAF. ME. HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU). N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU). SIO. TBF. From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF. Ref : 21S/342 OPREP NO 342 for 24hrs ending 2100 hrs LT 17 JUL 43. OPERATION NO - REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12 A. 3 Baltimores took off at 15 minute intervals from 2100 hrs to interrupt road communications by bombing in area B8228- S STEFANO- NICOSIA- ENNA- CALTANISSETTA- BOMBLINE TO SOUTH COAST-B8228. Offensive recces lasted from 2208 to 2340 hrs and last aircraft landed at 0045 hrs. Bombs dropped on MT and roads from 5/7000'. Pamphlets and incendiaries distributed along route. Roads ALIA- ENNA-NICOSIA-B8228 and VALLELUNGA-ALIMERIA-GANGI-ALIMERIA- VILLAROSA covered. Various portions several times. MT seen as follows : - 1. H2587 – 6/8 MT stationary and dispersed – 1 flare, 2 bombs and incendiaries, fell either side of cross-roads. 2. C3103 – C3204 – considerable MT moving NW and dispersed – bridge or causeway seen – 5 bombs, 2 flares and incendiaries. 1 bomb amongst MT SOUTH of bridge and road hit NORTH of bridge. 3. G1812 – 12/15 MT moving NW and into dispersal – 2 bombs and incendiaries – hit on road among MT and edge GANGI town. Further bombs dropped on bend in road among buildings H3942 and on cross-roads G2506. Slight LAA inaccurate from NORTH of NICOSIA. AA seen SCIACCA area. Bushfire SW AGRIGENTO, large fire PORTO EMPEDOCLE with greenish-blue flame and white smoke. Large ship with bright lights P2335 at 2130 hrs. Course 080°M. Flashes on ship later observed burning 20 miles SE LICATA. B. 1 Baltimore Mk III 2 Baltimore Mk IIIA C. NIL. NIL D. 2 hrs 25 mins 6 hrs 10 mins E. (i) 3200 x .30, 2300 x .303. (i) 6400 x .30, 600 x.303, 1400 x .50. (ii)(iii) NIL. (ii) 120 x.30 (iii) NIL. F. (i) 6 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det (i) 12 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det 30 x 4lb Incendiaries 60 x 4lb Incendiaries 3 Flares recce 4.5 No 4 6 Flares Recce 4.5 No 4 (ii) as in(i):(iii)(iv) NIL (ii) as in (i): (iii)(iv) NIL. G-V. NIL. NIL W. (i) Mk IV 2: Mk IIIA 4: Mk III 2 Baltimores (ii) NIL X (i) Mk IV - 1.30 hrs: Mk IIIA- 4.00 hrs: Mk III- 1.45 hrs (ii) NIL Y-Z NIL. (Signature: G.W. Thompson) Lt. for Capt. SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.