| TORTORELLA |

SORTIE REPORT (Part A) R.A.F. Form 441 A. W 46 | [Header Columns] | [Content] | |---|---| | Sheet No. | 1 | | Oprep. Ref. No. | 529 | | Date | 24 Jan 44 | | Squadron | 21 SAAF | | Type of Aircraft | 12 Baltimores Mk.4s | | Aircraft No. | See over | | Aircraft Letter | | | Captain | CAPT W.T. DALLING. DFC. | | Crew | LT McARAVEY | | | Formation Leader | | Time Up | 1143 A Hrs 1st a/c | | Time Down | 1348 A Hrs last a/c | | Total Time | 24.00 Hours | | Aerodrome or L.G. | TORTORELLA | | Type of Cloud | Strata.Cu S.W. & NORTH of target area | |---|---| | Amount of Cloud | 9/10 - 10/10 broken cloud target area 5/10 10000' | | Base of Cloud | Layer out to sea off TERMOLI 8/11000' | | Visibility | Good over target | | General Weather | Fair | | Map or Chart Reference | ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 140 TERAMO | |---|---| | Task or Duty | PENNE (B9428) | |---|---| | Time | Height | Place | Narrative | |---|---|---|---| | 1143 | | BASE | a/b Circling to form up | | 1201 | 2000 | BASE | S/c FROM DROME | | 1225 | 8000 | TERMOLI | Circling to Rv. | | 1226 | 8500 | TERMOLI | S/c CASOLI | | 1238 | 15000 | CASOLI | S/c POPOLI | | 1246 | 16500 | POPOLI | S/c Run up on Target | | 1253 | 9800 | PENNE | Bombed | | 259-59 | | | Circling and Climbing to SOUTH to get above cloud and Mountains | | 1300 | 13000 | POPOLI | S/c TERMOLI | | 1320 | 7000 | TERMOLI | S/c BASE | | 1348 | | BASE | Last a/c landed | [Signature Block] (Signed) [Signature unreadable - likely "Wahl" or similar?] Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. PART B (on reverse) to be completed according to relevant pro-forma in H.Q. R.A.F., M.E. Instruction. 34. P.T.O.

1944-01-24 | TORTORELLA |

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Sortie Report 529 (Penne - Second Raid): This report details the second raid of the day on Penne on January 24th, 1944. Following the morning raid (Sortie 528), this mission launched at 11:43. The objective remained the interdiction of German supply lines in this northern sector. * Weather Challenges and Tactics: The flight log reveals a difficult tactical situation due to weather. * Cloud Cover: "9/10 - 10/10" cloud was reported in the area, but crucially "broken cloud target area 5/10". This "hole" allowed for a visual attack. * Altitude Changes: The formation climbed high to 16,500 feet at Popoli for the run-in, likely to clear the "Strata.Cu" (Stratocumulus) tops. They then dove or descended significantly to 9,800 feet to drop their bombs ("Bombed"). * Post-Strike Climb: Immediately after bombing, the narrative notes "Circling and Climbing to SOUTH to get above cloud and Mountains." This indicates they were trapped below the cloud deck in mountainous terrain after the dive and had to spiral up to safety before crossing the Apennines back to base. The time notation "259-59" is likely a typo for 1259-59, indicating the duration of this climb. * Mission Leader: Capt. W.T. Dalling DFC led the formation with Lt. McAravey. This pair had led the successful afternoon raid on Sulmona the previous day (Jan 23rd), showing they were currently the squadron's most active lead crew. * Map Reference: The target Penne is listed on "Sheet 140 TERAMO," confirming the squadron was striking targets significantly further north than the Sangro River line. * Abbreviations: * S/c: Set Course. * Rv: Rendezvous (Meeting point). * a/b: Airborne. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. 65 Verification: Target File Verification: This document is the reverse side (Part B) of the Sortie Report for January 24th, 1944 (Sortie No. 529). Although there is no "Date" column on this side, the target "PENNE B9428 to create Rd Block" and the "Time over Target" of 1253 A Hrs match the Part A document from the previous image (269-1__64.jpg) dated Jan 24, 1944.