Operation

APPENDIX "BB" 343 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/731 DATE : 22nd June, 1944 OPREP No. 731 for the period ending 1200 hrs on the 22nd June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 109 PESARO 12 Baltimores airborne at 0917 to attack FOSSOMBRONE R.R. BRIDGE at S.041558. After R/V with close escort of 4 Spitfires at ORTONA, formation set course at 0954 and bombed at 1038 from 13000' on a course of about 280°. Due to what is thought to be an error in the wind forecast, both boxes overshot. Some bombs fell in the town, with D/hits on buildings. No hits on targets claimed. Moderate fairly accurate light and Heavy A/A from target area (5 A/c holed). Weather: target clear and visibility good. All A/c down by 1147 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 15.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 15.00 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fused: 36 - 30 Tail only) (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL to Z: NIL F.L. Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-22

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target: Fossombrone (The "Wind Error" Disaster): * Strategic Context: For the second day in a row, the squadron attacked the "FOSSOMBRONE R.R. BRIDGE." The previous day's attempt (June 21st, Sortie 729) failed due to a mechanical fault in the leader's bomb doors. * The Cause of Failure: This mission failed due to a meteorological error. The report states: "Due to what is thought to be an error in the wind forecast, both boxes overshot.". In level bombing from 13,000 feet, the bombardier inputs a wind vector (speed and direction) into the bombsight. If the actual wind differs significantly from the forecast provided by the "Met" flight, the bombs will drift off target regardless of perfect aim. An overshoot implies the tailwind was stronger than calculated. * Collateral Damage: The error had tragic consequences for the civilian population. "Some bombs fell in the town, with D/hits [Direct Hits] on buildings." Fossombrone, a town of medieval layout, would have suffered significantly from a stick of 500lb bombs intended for the bridge. * Defensive Fire (Flak Damage): * Intensity: The defenses at Fossombrone were alert and effective. The formation encountered "Moderate fairly accurate light and Heavy A/A," resulting in "5 A/c [Aircraft] holed.". Having nearly half the formation (5 of 12) sustain damage indicates the German gunners had the altitude and range perfectly dialed in. "Light" flak at 13,000 feet is unusual (usually 20mm/37mm effective at lower altitudes), suggesting either very high-velocity light guns or a mix of calibers in the barrage. * Ordnance (Tail Fusing): * Deep Penetration: The bombs were "Fused: 36 - 30 Tail only.". Omitting the nose fuse meant the bomb relied solely on the tail pistol to detonate. This configuration was often used to ensure the bomb didn't explode on initial contact with a hard surface (like bridge masonry) but rather smashed through and exploded slightly later/deeper, or to prevent "skip" detonations if they hit water or shallow angles. * Leadership: * Lt. Col. Jandrell: The mission was led by the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Jandrell D.F.C. (signed as F.L.). His recent run of luck has been poor; between the "hang-up" accident on June 14th and this failed mission resulting in civilian collateral damage, June was proving a difficult month for the C.O.'s personal sorties. * Abbreviations: * R.R.: Railroad. * R/V: Rendezvous. * D/hits: Direct Hits. * A/c: Aircraft. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. 55 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 22nd June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 732) labeled APPENDIX "CC" (page number 344).