Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 23rd DECEMBER, 1944
APPENDIX "D"TO : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.FROM : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORDS)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU)S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F. ADV. H.Q. C.M.F.3 WING W.I.O. S.A.A.F.REF : 21S/885DATE : 23rd DECEMBER, 1944OPREP NO. 885 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100/HRS ON THE 22.12.44.REF. MAP ITALY : 1:100,000 SHEETS 38 & 51OPERATION NO. 131/2111 Marauders were airborne from IESI L/G at 1250 hrs. to bomb Engine sheds at Treviso M/Yards Q.629758. No. 2 Box consisting of 6 A/C was 30 min. late at R/V ( owing to a reshuffling of A/C and leader unable to contact his box satisfactorily on W/T) and returned at 1443 hrs. after jettisoning bombload at sea. Leading Box of 5 A/C set course from FANO at 1318 hrs, with a close escort of 6 Mustangs, also carrying Bombs. Attack took place at 1407 hrs. from 11200' on a course of 035°. Pattern fell slightly to the left of the Engine sheds and straddled Railway line with direct hits on houses RR Tracks and tracks. H/A/A slight inaccurate when crossing coast on way to the target near the mouth of the Piave river, no enemy opposition in Target area. 100 lbs of window were dropped in target area. All A/C landed at base by 1535 hrs. Weather en route : 9/10 to 10/10 strata cum. from Senigallia to lake Comacchio 6000' tops. Patches of strata cum. in target area same height. Visibility hazy.(W) (i) 11 Marauders III (ii) Nil(X) (i) & (ii) Nil(Y) (i) 23.20 hrs. (ii) Nil(Z) (i) 37400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil(P) (i) 66 x 500 MC 48 x 250 GP Fused : 27-49 Nose 28-36 Tail(ii) 30 x 500 20 x 250(iii) 36 x 500 28 x 250 (iv) NilNote:- 100 lbs window dropped - target area.(V) (i) Nil(ii) 2 Marauder III (ii) Nil(iii) 1.15 Hrs. (ii) Nil(Z) : Nil(Signature: S.L. Boshoff) S.L. BoshoffCAPT.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer
- S.A.A.F
- South African Air Force
- H.Q
- Headquarters
- M.A.A.F
- Mediterranean Allied Air Forces
- M.A.T.A.F
- Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force
- SCORU
- South African Corps of Records
- S.A.O.A
- South African Officer in Charge of Administration
- ADV. H.Q
- Advanced Headquarters
- C.M.F
- Central Mediterranean Force
- W.I.O
- Wing Intelligence Officer
Abbreviations Expanded:
strata cum.: Stratocumulus (cloud type)
Observations about Individuals:
Information about the Location:
Senigallia to Lake Comacchio: This transit corridor across the Adriatic coast was noted for heavy "9/10 to 10/10" cloud cover, illustrating the difficult flying conditions that plagued the unit throughout December.
Historical Theatre Context: