Attack was carried out at 1828 Hrs from

APPENDIX "Z" 209 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/643 DATE : 24th April 1944 OPREP No.643 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 23/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet No 141 CHIETI A: 11 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO at 1732 Hrs to attack MONTESILVANO RR BRIDGE (C118354). They set course at 1803 Hrs and flew unescorted up the coast towards target. Attack was carried out at 1828 Hrs from 10000' on a course of 170°. The first box started with an undershoot but straddled target with two near misses on RR Bridge and one D/hit on Road bridge. The second box overshot but some bombs fell among buildings at C123347 causing a large explosion with yellow brown smoke - slight H/A/A from Pescara area inaccurate. Weather clear in target area. All a/c returned by 1902 Hrs. B: (i) 7 Mk.1V (ii) NIL (i) 4 Mk.V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 9.55 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 5.40 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 28 x 500 MC (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL FUSE: 49 Det 27 Pist NOSE: 49 Det 28 Pist TAIL. G to Z: NIL. (Signature illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. (Handwritten note in pencil): Major Job.

1944-04-24

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Coastal Interdiction (Montesilvano): * The Target: The mission targeted the Montesilvano Railroad Bridge (C118354), located just north of Pescara. This bridge spans the Saline River and was a vital link in the Adriatic coastal railway supplying German forces in central Italy. * Tactical Approach: The formation "flew unescorted up the coast towards target". This indicates a high degree of air superiority, allowing medium bombers to operate without fighter cover even near known flak zones. The attack run was made on a course of 170° (South-South-East), likely flying parallel to the coast or slightly inland to line up with the bridge. * Damage Assessment: The report claims "two near misses on RR Bridge and one D/hit (Direct Hit) on Road bridge". While the rail bridge might have survived, hitting the adjacent road bridge still disrupted the transport corridor. The "large explosion with yellow brown smoke" among nearby buildings typically indicates the destruction of structures (masonry dust) rather than fuel or ammo (which produce black or white smoke). * Defensive Environment: * Pescara Flak: The crew reported "slight H/A/A (Heavy Anti-Aircraft) from Pescara area inaccurate". Pescara remained a persistent, though in this case ineffective, threat to aircraft operating along the Adriatic coast. * Fleet Composition: * The formation consisted of 7 Baltimore Mk.IVs and 4 Baltimore Mk.Vs. The Mk.V was the final production variant of the Baltimore, featuring up-rated engines and heavier defensive armament (power turret), though the bomb load remained similar to the Mk.IV. * Abbreviations: * RR: Railroad. * D/hit: Direct Hit. * H/A/A: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * Pist: Pistol (Fuse mechanism). * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. 42 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 25th April 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 644) labeled APPENDIX "AA", detailing the mission flown on April 24th, 1944 (noted in the "period ending" line).