Operation

APPENDIX "HH" 266 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/682 DATE : 22nd May, 1944 OPREP No.682 for period ending 14.00 hrs on the 21st May, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 160 CASSINO 12 Balts airborne by 1140 hrs. to attack an ENEMY OCCUPIED AREA near CEPRANO between G617316 - 622317. With 223 Squadron leading, Formation set course at 1158 hrs. and bombed by boxes at 1232 from 13000' on a course of about 010°. Due to a patch of cloud at 10000' over target, results not observed but target was clearly identified through gaps during a good run - up and release, and it is presumed majority of bombs fell in target area. One container of 8 x 40 bombs hung up and was brought back. One A/c of first box sustained D/H over target from intense accurate H/A/A. A/c burst into flames, but pilot appears to have retained control long enough for the crew to bale. 3 parachute seen to open but two possibly on fire. A/c last seen spiralling down over target area. 3 further A/c holed (Cat I) 12 Spits provided area cover. Eleven A/c down at base by 1312 hrs. B: (i) 9 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 3 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 13.00 hrs (ii) NIL (i) 4.30 hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 28800 x .30 2700 x .303 6300 x .50 (ii) NIL (iii) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (i) 9600 x .30 900 x .303 2100 x .50 (ii) NIL (iii) NIL F: (i) 30 x 250 G.P. 128 x 40 G.P. (ii) 30 x 250 120 x 40 (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 12 x 250 G.P. 32 x 40 G.P. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (FUSING :- 42 x 250: (44-52 Nose (28-49 Tail 160 x 40: 45-52 Tail G: (i) 1 Mk IV destroyed (ii) 3 Mk IV (Cat I) (i) NIL (ii) NIL Missing :- 329063V Lt Swart A.H. Pilot 542722V Lt Hurndall R.F. Observer 577528V W.O. I Vogel H.B. WO/AG 542256V W.O.II Peene G.J. A/G to Z: NIL FL: Major Dalling DFC Hallick Capt S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-05-22

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * A Tragic Loss (Direct Hit): * The Incident: The report describes a horrific scene over Ceprano: "One A/c of first box sustained D/H [Direct Hit] over target from intense accurate H/A/A [Heavy Anti-Aircraft].". * Heroism in the Cockpit: Despite the aircraft bursting into flames, the report notes the "pilot appears to have retained control long enough for the crew to bale." This act of bravery by the pilot likely gave his crew the few precious seconds needed to escape the burning fuselage. * Grim Outcome: While "3 parachute seen to open," the observer noted that "two possibly on fire." This grim detail highlights the terrifying reality of aerial warfare. The aircraft was last seen "spiralling down over target area." * The Missing Crew: * Lt. R.F. Hurndall: The missing Observer is listed as Lt. Hurndall R.F.. In a poignant connection to the previous document (S.R.O. 47/44, Appendix GG), Lt. Hurndall was scheduled for "Censoring of Mail" duty on Wednesday, May 24th. He was shot down on May 21st, three days before his assigned duty. * The Crew: The full crew lost included Lt. Swart A.H. (Pilot), W.O. I Vogel H.B., and W.O. II Peene G.J. * Volunteer Status: All service numbers end in "V", indicating they were volunteers. * Combined Operations: * 223 Squadron: The report mentions "With 223 Squadron leading". No. 223 Squadron RAF was an RAF Baltimore unit operating in the same wing. Joint missions like this allowed for larger formations to saturate target defenses, though in this case, the flak was deadly accurate. * Targeting the Retreat (Ceprano): * Location: The target was an "ENEMY OCCUPIED AREA near CEPRANO." Ceprano is a town on the Liri River, further north along Highway 6 from Cassino. By May 21st, the Germans were in full retreat towards this area, attempting to delay the Allied advance to Rome. The "occupied area" likely contained troop concentrations or vehicle parks. * Abbreviations: * D/H: Direct Hit. * H/A/A: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * Cat I: Category I damage (repairable). * A/c: Aircraft. * G.P.: General Purpose bomb. * W.O.: Warrant Officer. * A/G: Air Gunner. 55 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 22nd May, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 683) labeled APPENDIX "II" (page number 267), detailing the mission flown on the afternoon of May 21st, 1944.