Results N.O.

(page obscured) (obscured) : H.Q. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) APPENDIX "M" (obscured) : H.Q. MASAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) 84 (obscured) : SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. REF : 556 21S/556 DATE : 17 Feb 44 SUBJECT: OPREP No. 556 for the period ending 1200 Hrs 16 Feb to 2100 Hrs 17 Feb 44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 150 ROMA [Note: Sheet name faint, likely ROMA based on coordinates] (obscured) A: 12 Baltimores in two boxes detailed to bomb enemy strong points at CARROCETO (F860271 Village) All a/c were airborne between 1420 - 1432 Hrs and bombed at 1550 - 1555 Hrs from 9000' - 10700' on course 330°/360°. First box bombed slightly to WEST of Target with some sticks falling partly in village, and direct hits on railway. The leader of second box dropped a sighter 50 yds from target and remainder of the formation dropped all bombs in a very short stick directly on target. Results N.O. due to smoke and dust. A/C later landed at POMIGLIANO (NAPLES) as a precaution secure against possible shortage of fuel in reaching base. A/C returned on 17 Feb 44, the last landing at 1340 Hrs. Heavy concentrated and accurate for height A/A was encountered from points North... of target area. Evasive action taken in a steep left hand turn from target and out to sea. Weather clear over target. The two boxes got separated soon after take off and carried the whole operation individually. (obscured) B: (i) 12 Baltimores (11 Mk.4 1 Mk.5) (ii) NIL (obscured) C: NIL (obscured) D: (i) 11 Mk.4: 35.00 Hrs 1 Mk.5: 3.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (obscured) E: (i) 11 Mk.4: 35200 x .30 1 Mk.5: 3200 x .30 3300 x .303 300 x .303 7700 x .50 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (obscured) F: (i) 11 Mk.4 22 x 500 MC 44 Det 14 Tail fused .025 Delay [Handwritten annotation: Pistol above "44 Det", Det above "14 Tail"] 33 x 250 GP do 21 " " " " [Handwritten annotation: do above "21"] 1 Mk.5 2 x 500 MC do do 3 x 250 GP do do (ii) 22 x 500 MC 33 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL. (obscured) G: (i) NIL (ii) 1 Mk.4 Cat.2. (obscured) H to Z: NIL. (Signature) (Illegible) Lt for Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-02-17

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Document Type: This is a textual Operational Report (OPREP), Appendix "M". It summarizes the raid on Carroceto mentioned in the diary entry for February 16th. Unlike the Sortie Reports (Forms 540/541), this narrative format provides a broader overview of the mission's execution and consequences. * Target & Location: * Carroceto (F860271): This village (often referred to as Aprilia/Carroceto) was the epicenter of the German counter-offensive (Operation Fischfang) against the Anzio beachhead, which began on the morning of this raid (Feb 16, 1944). The "Factory" at Aprilia was a fortress-like agricultural settlement that changed hands multiple times. Bombing "enemy strong points" here was a desperate measure to blunt the German armored thrusts threatening to split the Allied beachhead. * "Steep left hand turn... out to sea": The evasive maneuver "out to sea" confirms the proximity to the coast (Anzio). * Operational Details: * Separation: The report confirms the diary's note that "The two boxes became separated soon after take off and carried the whole raid individually." This was highly dangerous, as it diluted the squadron's defensive firepower against fighters and flak. * Pomigliano Landing: The diversion to Pomigliano (Naples) was necessitated by the "possible shortage of fuel." Flying independently likely meant less efficient routing or more throttle usage to regain formation/evade flak. * "Dropped a sighter": The leader of the second box used a "sighter" bomb to verify aim before the rest of the formation released ("dropped all bombs in a very short stick"). This technique was crucial when the target was obscured by "smoke and dust" from the first box's attack or the raging ground battle. * Ordnance & Equipment: * Mk.5 Baltimore: The report explicitly lists "1 Mk.5" Baltimore participating. This is one of the first operational mentions of this upgraded variant in the squadron's records for this month. * Fusing: The handwritten corrections over the fusing column ("Pistol" / "Det") attempt to clarify the specific British bomb components used (likely No. 44 Pistol and No. 14 Tail Detonator, or vice versa depending on the reading of the messy type/handwriting). * Cat.2: One aircraft sustained Category 2 damage (repairable at the unit level), likely from the "Heavy concentrated and accurate" flak. * Abbreviations: * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Record Unit. * MASAF: Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force. * SAOA: Senior Air Officer Administration. * N.O.: Not Observed. 116 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'N'" Sortie Report. The date in the header is 23 Feb 44.