Sortie Report (Form 541)
BA. Interrupt road communications by bombing in area B8228- S STEFANO-NICOSIA- ENNA- CALTANISSETTA- bombline to South coast- B8228BB. From 2208 hrs LT to 2340 hrs LT.BC. Medium Level bombing 5/7000'18 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det90 x 4lb Incendiaries9 Flares Recce 4.5 No 4120 x .30 mm.BD. Road recced from ALIA- ENNA- NICOSIA- B8228, several portionsbeing covered more than once. Road VALLELUNGA- ALIMERIA- GANGI-ALIMERIA- VILLAROSA also covered. Suspected movement at variouspoints - Incendiaries carried dropped at same time as 250 GPbombs and at various points on road. Pamphlets distributed alongroute. Certain points MT identified and bombed. Details as follows:1. H2587 – 6/8 MT stationary and dispersed – 1 flare, 2 bombs andincendiary – fell either side of cross-roads.2. H3492 – number of houses - bend of road - stick 6 bombs – NOresults observed.3. C3103- C3204 – considerable MT moving NW and dispersed – causewayor bridge – 5 bombs, 2 flares and incendiaries -1 bomb seen to fall among MT SOUTH of bridge and roadhit NORTH of bridge.4 C3506 – cross-roads NORTH of NICOSIA – 1 flare, 3 bombs andincendiaries – road hit.5 G1812 – 12/15 MT moving NW and into dispersal – 2 bombs andincendiaries – hit on road among MT and edge of GANGItown – NO results observed.BE Slight LAA inaccurate NORTH of NICOSIABF NILBG NILBH Bush fire SW AGRIGENTO - large fire PORTO EMPEDOCLE greenish-blueflame, white smoke.Large ship seen P2335 at 2130 hrs LT with 2 bright lights anddeck lit. Course 080°M.Ship seen with flashes as bomb bursts on it and later observedburning 20 miles SE LICATA.AA seen SCIACCA areaLIST OF AIRCRAFT AND CREW108 O Capt Stuart, Lt Pawson, F/Sgt Morley, 2/Lt Schumann221 Y Lts Eaton & McDermot, F/Sgts Freestone (NZ) & Van Rooyen173 P Capt Saunders, Lt Booyse, F/Sgt Moore & Sgt Earp-Jones
Transcriber's Notes
- LT
- Local Time.
- GP Rods
- General Purpose bombs fitted with standoff rods (typically 6-inch rods to trigger surface-level blasts).
- Det
- Detonator.
- Recce
- Reconnaissance.
- MT
- Motor Transport.
- NZ
- New Zealand (referring to personnel from the Royal New Zealand Air Force).
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:
Individuals Mentioned:
Lieutenant Eaton and Flight Sergeant Freestone (NZ): Crew of aircraft 221 Y. Freestone represents the integration of New Zealand airmen within the South African Air Force during the Mediterranean campaign.
Location and Historical Context: