Sortie Report (Form 541)
P O S T A G R A M.56To : HQ. RAF. ME.HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU).N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU).SIO. TBF.From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.Ref : 21 Sqdn/341.OPREP NO. 341 for 24hrs ending 1800 hrs LT on 16 JUL 43.OPERATION NO. - REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12.A. 8 Baltimores, first aircraft airborne at 2100 hrs LT (rest at 10 minute intervals) searched, bombed, dropped incendiaries, flares and pamphlets at various points on the main roads, from 2250 hrs to 2346 hrs, from 2/6000'. Last aircraft landed at base at 0125 hrs. In the area GANGI, ENNA, VILLAROSA, a fair number of MT were seen and attacked. Between CATERINA and KIRSI and in wadi running SW numerous MT were seen. Near misses scored and the area straffed. Some MT were seen NORTH of RIBERA and straffed. NO results observed. NO enemy fire encountered. Weather good but visibility poor in haze.B. 4 Mk IIIA and 4 Mk III Baltimores.C. (1)(ii) NIL.D. 21 hrs 10 mins.E. (i) Mk IIIA: 12800 x .30; 1200 x .303; 2800 x .5; Mk III: 12800 x .30, 9200 x .303.(ii) Mk IIIA: 800 x .5, 500 x .30; Mk III NIL.(iii) Mk III: 3200 x .30; 2300 x .303.F. (i) Mk IIIA. Mk III.24 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods. 24 x 250 GP 43 Det. Rods.7 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4. 8 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4.120 x 4lb Incendiaries. 120 x 4lb Incendiaries.(ii) Mk IIIA Mk III24 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods. 16 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods.5 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4. 6 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4.120 x 4lb Incendiaries. 30 x 4lb Incendiaries.(iii) NIL. NIL.(iv) NIL. 6 x 250 GP 43 Det. Rods.2 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4.30 x 4lb Incendiaries.G. (i) NIL; (ii) Mk III. AG 930 K (iii) NIL.H. MISSING: Lt. E. P. Hamilton, Pilot,Lt. S. B. Whittle, Observer,2/Lt. O. P. Hodgkinson, WOP/AG,F/Sgt. D. Phelan, A/G.J. (i)(ii)(iii) NIL.V. (i)(ii) NIL.W. (i) 1 Mk IIIA; 3 Mk III 1: (ii) NIL.X. (i) Mk IIIA: 2.45 hrs; Mk III 50 mins; (ii) NIL.Y. Z. NIL.(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- HQ. RAF. ME
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Control and Operational Research Unit.
- N.A.T.A.F
- Northwest African Tactical Air Force.
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- TBF
- Tactical Bomber Force.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- LT
- Local Time.
- MT
- Motor Transport.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:
Individuals Mentioned & Operational Casualties:
Location and Historical Context:
Ordnance and Tactical Notes: