Sortie Report (Form 541)
BA. RD BRIDGE AT C4201BB. 1510 A hrsBC. Medium level bombing: 22 x 500 MC 47 det, 27 pistol.33 x 250 GP do do.2 x 500 MC 47 det, 27 pistol.) jettisoned 3-4 miles out to sea -3 x 250 GP do do. ) faulty inter-comm.BD. Glare on water caused leader's box to run up on RR bridge, saw too late incorrect target. Bombs fell among trees (C455035) No. 2 box attempted to reach correct target - turn too tight and bombs overshot 1/2 mile SE target among bldgs.BE. NIL.BF. NIL.BG. Obliques of bomb bursts.BH. Shelling seen at C66852 MET, otherwise NMS.Grey smoke seen drifting over FOSSACESIA (C3904).LIST OF AIRCRAFT AND CREW.474X Lt. Col. Britz, P/O Smallman, 2/Lts. Harrison & Pickup. (FL)181T Lts. Bennett & Harle, F/Sgt. Strydom, Sgt. Jenkinson.951YY Major Coull, Lt. Rose F., F/Sgt. Perkins & van Rooyen.445V Capt. Smit, Lt. Kay, 2/Lt. Purdon, Sgt. Schoombie. (VL)240O Capt. Dugmore, Lt. Masters, F/Sgts. Maasdorp & Rogers181Y Capt. Dieu, P/O Edmeades, F/Sgt. Oswald, Sgt. Breedt.545A Major Ord, Lt. Hodges, F/Sgts. Walker & Devenish. (BL)341L Lts. Willmot & Borcherds, F/Sgts. Loots & Walbridge.426J Lts. Murman & Walters, F/Sgt. Odendaal, Sgt. Stewart.586B Capt. Saunders, Lt. Booyse, F/Sgt. Geldenhuys, Sgt. Earp-Jones (WL)916K Lts. Frost & Horwitz, F/Sgt. Carter, Sgt. Allan.467D Lts. Longmore & Kendal, F/Sgt. Theunissen, Sgt. MacKay.
Transcriber's Notes
- RD BRIDGE
- Road Bridge.
- SE
- Southeast.
- MET
- Motor Enemy Transport.
- NMS
- No Movements Seen.
- P/O Smallman
- Britz's regular observer, often seen in the lead aircraft during operational sorties.
Expanded Abbreviations
RR bridge: Railroad bridge.
Major Coull, Major Ord, Capt. Dugmore, and Capt. Saunders: These senior officers acted as sub-formation leaders (Box or Wing leaders), highlighting the high level of experience required for coordinated tactical strikes.