Operation

APPENDIX "H" 114 TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F (ATTENTION SCORU) : H.Q. TAF ITALY (ATTENTION SCORU). : SAOS S.A.A.F. FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. REF. : S9/21//801 DATE : 21st AUGUST, 1944 OPREP NO. 801 FOR THE 24 HOURS ENDING 2100 HRS. L.T. ON THE 20th AUGUST, 1944 REF. MAP:- ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 76 FERRARA OPERATION NO. 5/21/M A. : 12 Marauders airborne from PESCARA by 0845 Hrs. to attack the PORTO MAGGIORE M/YARDS at M.258698. Two A/C returned after 1.45 & 1.00 hrs. respectively and meanwhile reserve was des- patched at 0915 hrs. which caught the formation at PESARO, at which point 14 puffs of inaccurate H/A/A were directed at this A/C just prior to joining formation. Of the two U/S A/C one jettisoned bombs 12M-ANCONA-20 and the other brought bombs back. After R/V at FALCONARA with a close escort of 8 Spit- fires, main formation set course at 0949 hrs. and attacked in boxes line astern at 1023 from 11,000 feet on a course of about 260º. Stick of first box straddled S.E. portion of yards, where explosions with orange coloured smoke resulted; bulk of bombs overshot along a road leading S.W. of target, where large explosions with black smoke was obtained in trees. Second box continued first's pattern into open country. 9 x 1000 jettisoned 1 x 1000 brought back. No enemy opposition. Eleven A/C down by 1142 hrs. Visibility hazy, but clear over target (cloud) B. : (i) 13 Marauders 111 (ii) Nil C. : (i) 4 (ii) Nil D. : (i) 32.20 hrs (ii) Nil E. : (i) 49400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil F. : (i) 52x1000 (ii) 38x1000 (iii) 9x1000 (iv) Nil G) V : Nil H. : (i) 2 Marauder 111 (ii) Nil X. : (i) 1.10 hrs. (ii) Nil Y – Z : Nil (Signed) S.L. Boschoff w- for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.