Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Duty
- GUNS AND TROOPS POSITIONS. H 331253 (NORTH CASTALDRO) | Height. | Place. |
R.A.F. Form 441 A.SORTIE REPORT(Part A.)Sortie No. 1Oprep. Ref. No. 426Date. 29/10/43Squadron. 21 SAAFNo. of Aircraft. 12 Baltimores (2 Mk.3: 3 Mk.3A: 7 Mk.4)Aircraft No. See overAircraft Letter.Captain. LT/COL BRITZ DFCCrew. P/O SMALLMANUp. 1234 A Hrs First A/CDown. 1422 A Hrs Last A/CTotal Time. 21.00 Hrs.Aerodrome or L.G. TORTORELLAType of Cloud. Cu & St. CuAmount of Cloud. 6/10 - 10/10Base of Cloud. 2500' Tops 6000' 10,000' Tops 14/15000Visibility. Good through cloudGeneral Weather. FairMap or Chart Reference. ITALY 1:250,000 Sheets 35/36/37 ITALY 1:100,000 Sheets 161/162Target or Duty. GUNS AND TROOPS POSITIONS. H 331253 (NORTH CASTALDRO)| Height. | Place. | Narrative. ||---|---|---|| - | BASE | A/B || 5000 | FOGGIA | Rv. Fighters || 5000 | FOGGIA | S/c Target. Escort 4 Spitfires || 14000 | BATTLE AREA | Cloud 10/10 over Target Area. S/c Base without Bombing || 4000 | BASE | Landed || | | Last A/C Landed |(Sgd) W. Thompson Capt.SIO 21 Squadron, SAAFAIRCRAFT AND CREW LIST.474X LT/COL BRITZ DFC P/O SMALLMAN 2/LT HARRISON 2/LT PICKUP426J LT FROST LT NEL F/SGT CARTER A/SGT ALLEN341L LT WILLMOTT LT BORCHERDS F/SGT LOOTS F/SGT WALBRIDGE586B CAPT SAUNDERS LT POTGIETER A/SGT EARP-JONES467D LT LONGMORE LT KENDALL F/SGT THEUNISSEN A/SGT MACKAY545A LT MURMAN LT WALTERS F/SGT ODENDAAL A/SGT STEWART240O CAPT SMIT LT KAY 2/LT PURDON A/SGT SCHOOMBIE181T LT BENNETT LT HARLE F/SGT STRYDOM P/O GILDEN951YY MAJOR COULL LT ROSE F. F/SGT PERKINS F/SGT VAN ROOYEN445U LT HARGRAVE LT REES F/SGT JENSEN F/SGT VALENTINE356Z LT RICHARDS LT DE CONNICK F/SGT ROBBERTSE A/SGT McCRINDLE383W LT GREDER LT MCARAVEY F/SGT GREYLING 2/LT GROENEWALDTranscriber’s Notes * Expanded Abbreviations: * LT/COL: Lieutenant Colonel. * DFC: Distinguished Flying Cross. * P/O: Pilot Officer. * 2/LT: Second Lieutenant. * LT: Lieutenant. * F/SGT: Flight Sergeant. * A/SGT: Acting Sergeant. * CAPT: Captain. * Observations on Individuals: * Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Britz, D.F.C.: The Commanding Officer of No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.. Britz was known for his "lead-from-the-front" style, as evidenced by his role as Captain for the first aircraft (474X) in this 12-aircraft mission. * Captain Saunders: Piloting aircraft 586B. He is a recurring name in the squadron's operational records, appearing in mission lists throughout September and October 1943. * Major Coull: Captain of aircraft 951YY. He served alongside other senior officers like Major Stuart and Major Ord in providing experienced leadership during multi-box formation strikes. * Location and Historical Context: * Tortorella Landing Ground (Foggia No. 2): This was the base of operations for the mission. Located in the Foggia plain of Southern Italy, it was a major hub for the Desert Air Force (DAF) after its capture in late September 1943. Today, the site has largely reverted to agricultural land near the modern Foggia "Gino Lisa" Airport. * Abortive Mission over Castaldro: On October 29, 1943, these 12 Martin Baltimore crews flew to target German guns and troop positions at Castaldro. However, as detailed in Part A of the report, the mission was frustrated by 10/10 cloud cover over the battle area, forcing the formation to return to base without releasing their bombs. * Strategic Importance: Despite this specific mission being unsuccessful due to weather, the crew list illustrates the significant manpower No. 21 Squadron committed to tactical interdiction. Their ongoing efforts targeted German supply lines and defensive positions as the Allies attempted to breach the Bernhardt Line during the arduous autumn of 1943.
25Verification: While this document does not contain a formal 'Date' column, it is verified by the date 30th October, 1943 written in the document header.
Transcriber's Notes
- R.A.F
- Royal Air Force.
- Oprep. Ref. No
- Operational Report Reference Number.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- LT/COL
- Lieutenant Colonel.
- DFC
- Distinguished Flying Cross.
- P/O
- Pilot Officer.
- L.G
- Landing Ground.
- S/c
- Steered course.
- Sgd
- Signed.
- SIO
- Senior Intelligence Officer.
Expanded Abbreviations:
Observations on Individuals:
Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Britz, D.F.C.: The Commanding Officer of No. 21 Squadron SAAF. Britz was a highly respected leader who continued to fly operational sorties personally, leading this formation of 12 aircraft. His signature appears on various squadron routine orders throughout September and October 1943.
Location and Historical Context:
Tortorella Landing Ground (Foggia No. 2): Located in the Foggia plain of Southern Italy. Occupied by Allied forces in late September 1943, it served as a primary hub for the Desert Air Force (DAF). Today, the area remains largely agricultural, situated near the modern Foggia "Gino Lisa" Airport.