Operation

APPENDIX "VV" 280 TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/695 DATE : 30th May, 1944 OPREP No. 695 for period ending 1300 hrs on the 29th May, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 151 ALATRI 12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1010 hrs to bomb GUN POSITIONS along roads G261640 and G261647. Attack took place at 1117 Hrs in good visibility. First box bombed area G261640 from 12500' on a course of 150°. The pattern extending from G257641 to G262638. Bombs covered six grey cubical shapes on ground at G260639, possibly pill boxes. 1 explosion with black smoke in target area. Second box attacked position G261647 from 12500' on a course of 130°. Good pattern extended from G258650 to G263646. Blackish smoke was observed among the brownish bomb's smoke. Several direct hits on road bend and one explosion 2 minutes after formation had left target area. H.A.A. moderate and accurate for height from AVEZZANO. One A/c returned early due to engine trouble. Remaining A/c landed at 1210 hrs. B: (i) 7 Balts Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 5 Balts Mk V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 11.50 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 9.10 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 14 x 500 M.C. 21 x 250 G.P. (ii) 12 x 500 M.C. 18 x 250 G.P. (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fused: 52 - 44 Nose, 36 - 28 Tail) (i) 10 x 500 M.C. 15 x 250 G.P. (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL to Z: NIL Hallick Capt S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. FL Major Dalling DFC

1944-05-30

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Hardened Defenses (Pillboxes): * Visual Recce: The report contains a fascinating visual detail from the aircrews: "Bombs covered six grey cubical shapes on ground at G260639, possibly pill boxes.". Identifying specific hardened fortifications ("cubical shapes") from 12,500 feet highlights the clarity of the visibility ("good visibility") and the crews' attention to detail. * Target: These pillboxes were likely part of the defensive belt protecting Avezzano, a crucial road junction roughly 50 miles east of Rome. The Germans were fortifying these routes to prevent the Allies from flanking the retreat from the Caesar Line. * Delayed Secondary Explosion: * Effectiveness: The report notes "one explosion 2 minutes after formation had left target area.". A delayed explosion of this magnitude usually indicates a fire started by the bombing eventually reached a fuel tank or ammunition cache, confirming the destruction of significant enemy materiel. * Anti-Aircraft Fire: * Avezzano Defenses: The flak is described as "H.A.A. moderate and accurate for height from AVEZZANO.". "Accurate for height" means the German gunners had the correct altitude setting on their fuses, but were slightly off in deflection (aim). This was a dangerous form of fire, as shrapnel would be bursting at the same level as the aircraft. * Abbreviations: * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * G.P.: General Purpose. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * A/c: Aircraft. * DFC: Distinguished Flying Cross. 71 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 30th May, 1944 in the "Date" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 696) labeled APPENDIX "WW" (page number 281), detailing the mission flown on the afternoon of May 29th, 1944.