4 a/c holed

TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/590 DATE : 15 March 1944 OPREP No.590 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 15/3/44 REF MAP ITALY Sheet 133 ASCOLI PICENO 13 Baltimores were airborne at 1230 Hrs from BIFERNO L/G to bomb SAN BENEDETTO RR STN. One a/c crashed on taking off (Cat.11) and another returned with engine trouble after 35 minutes. After R/V over base with 223 Sqdn, formation set course at 1305 Hrs and attacked in two boxes at 1340 Hrs from about 15000' on a course of 200-240°. Formation was briefed to bomb on box leaders. Due to temporary failure of the leaders intercom. during the run-up (bomb doors consequently opening late) and 2nd box leader experiencing difficulty in fully opening bomb doors, the entire formation overshot. The majority of the bombs fell in salvoes from B-900831 - B900832, while others fell in the harbour, target area and sea after turn off. All a/c returned to base by 1420 Hrs. 8 Spitfires provided area cover. Visibility and weather good over target intense and accurate H/A encountered during attack, particularly from B900805, 907802, 890868 880830 and from hills SOUTH of target. 4 a/c holed B: (1) 10 Balts IV (ii) NIL (1) 2 Balts IIIA (ii) NIL (1) 1 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (1) 15.25 Hrs (ii) NIL (1) 2.20 Hrs (ii) NIL (1) 1.45 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (1) 32000 x .30 3000 x .303 7000 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 6400 x .30 600 x .303 1400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (1) 20 x 500 MC 30 x 250 GP (ii) 18 x 500 MC 27 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL (1) 4 x 500 MC 6 x 250 GP (ii) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL (1) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL All fuzed 47 Det 27 Pist (nose) 49 Det 28 Pist (tail) G: (i) 1 Mk.IV Cat.11. 4 Mk.IV Cat.1. to Z: NIL W: (i) 1 Mk.4 (ii) NIL X: .30 Minutes (ii) NIL Z: NIL. S.L. Boshoff Lt for Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.