Operation

APPENDIX "B" 232 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/652 DATE : 2nd May 1944 OPREP No.652 for the period ending 1200 Hrs on 2nd May 1944 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 146 SULMONA 12 Baltimores of 21 Sqdn (leading) accompanied by 12 a/c of 223 Sqdn took off from BIFERNO at 1020 Hrs to bomb an EXPLOSIVE FACTORY at G902847 (N.W. of SULMONA) consisting of two groups of buildings. 21 Sqdn briefed to attack Northern portion. Formation set course at 1100 Hrs and attacked in two boxes line astern from 9800' at 1120 Hrs on a course of 270°. Both boxes straddled installations described as "finished explosive stores" "powder mixing sheds" and "coal stores". Big explosion in Powder Mixing sheds followed by fire and dense black smoke. Several minor fires started. NO escort. Slight L/A/A accurate from mountains at H8775. All a/c landed by 1155 Hrs. Target clear and visibility good. B: (i) 9 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 3 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 14.15 Hours (ii) NIL (i) 4.45 Hours (ii) NIL E: (i) 28800 x .30 2700 x .303 6300 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 9600 x .30 900 x .303 2100 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 18 x 500 MC 27 x 250 GP (ii) as above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 6 x 500 MC 9 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL FUSED: 49 Det 27 Pist TAIL ONLY to Z: NIL S.L. Boshoff Lt. for Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. (Handwritten note): FL: MAJ. JOB.

1944-05-02

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Targeting the War Machine (Sulmona Explosives Factory): * Strategic Context: The target was an "EXPLOSIVE FACTORY... N.W. of SULMONA" located at coordinates G902847. This corresponds to the large Dinamite Nobel plant in the Peligna Valley. This facility was a crucial supplier of gunpowder and high explosives for the German army in Italy. By destroying "finished explosive stores" and "powder mixing sheds," the raid directly impacted the ammunition supply for the front lines at Cassino. * Damage Assessment: The report notes a "Big explosion in Powder Mixing sheds followed by fire and dense black smoke". A secondary explosion of this magnitude confirms the intelligence was accurate and the bombers successfully ignited the volatile chemicals stored there. * Tactical Execution: * Combined Force: Once again, 21 Squadron (leading) paired with 223 Squadron (RAF) to deliver a concentrated blow. * No Escort: The report states "NO escort". This is notable because typically medium bombers required fighter cover. The lack of escort suggests Allied air superiority was absolute in this sector, or resources were stretched so thin that the risk was deemed acceptable for a target this important. * Flak: The formation encountered "Slight L/A/A (Light Anti-Aircraft) accurate from mountains". Light flak (20mm/37mm) was deadly at low altitudes but less effective at the bombing altitude of 9,800 feet. * Personnel: * Maj. Job: The handwritten note "FL: MAJ. JOB" identifies the Flight Leader. This is the same Major Job who would tragically be shot down just two weeks later on May 17th (as recorded in the War Diary entry for that date). His consistent leadership of these complex raids underscores his importance to the squadron. * Abbreviations: * L/A/A: Light Anti-Aircraft fire. * N.W.: North West. * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * GP: General Purpose. * FL: Flight Leader. * a/c: Aircraft. 20 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 2nd May 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 653) labeled APPENDIX "C", detailing the mission flown on the afternoon of May 2nd, 1944.