Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 1st April, 1945
APPENDIX "A"197FROM : S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.TO : W.I.O. 3 Wing S.A.A.F.H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( Attention Operations Records)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU)Ref. : 21S/984Date : 1st April, 1945.Oprep No. 984 for the period ending 1300 hrs on the 1st April, 1945.Ref. Map. Italy 1:100,000 Sheet 40 - PALMANOVA.<u>Operation No. 181/21S/M.</u>:8 A/C in tow boxes airborne between 1010 hrs and 1257 toattack PONTEBBA M/Yards, but due to unfavourable weatherover primary, windfinding A/C of 30 Squadron divertedformation to the alternative - an AMMO DUMP near MEDEUZZAbetween pp C512072 to C 523076. The attack took placefrom 11,700' at 1133 hrs on a course of about 025º; bothboxes undershot slightly, patterns finishing in S.W.corner of target and destroying two buildings. Nooutstanding results observed. 8 Spitfires close escortfrom PORTO CORSINI. No enemy opposition. Weather;Target area clear below, with visibility good.A : (1) 8 Marauders III (ii) NilB : (1) 4 (ii) NilC : (1) 22.00 Hrs (ii) NilD : (1) 27200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilE : (1) 48 x 500Fused; (ii) as in (i) (iii) & (iv)32 x 250 30 - 51 Tail 36 Pkts Pamphlets Nil216 lbs windowG to Z : NilS.L. Boshoff [handwritten signature]Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/4
Transcriber's Notes
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer, Capt. S.L. Boshoff.
- SCORU
- South African Operations Records Unit.
- 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F
- No. 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force, a medium bomber unit operating under the Desert Air Force (DAF).
- AIR 27/271/4
- The United Kingdom National Archives classification for Air Ministry Operations Record Books (ORBs); Volume 4 contains the final 1945 War Diaries for 21 Squadron.
MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied high-explosive bombs. On this mission, the squadron utilized 48 x 500 lb and 32 x 250 lb GP munitions with tail-fuzing.
MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied aerial ordnance classifications. For this strike, the squadron utilized 48 x 500 lb and 32 x 250 lb GP munitions.