Operation

APPENDIX CONFIDENTIAL. 108 FROM :- S.I.O. NO. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.. TO :- H.Q. M.A.A.F.(ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORDS) H.Q. M.A.T.A.F.(S.C.O.R.U.) S.A.O.A. ADV.S.A.A.F. H.Q. C.M.F. REF. :- 21S/957. DATE :- 9th MARCH 1945. OPREP NO. 957 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HOURS ON THE 8th MARCH '45. MAP. REF. ITALY 1,100,000 SHEET 65 B. ALBONA. pp J 040044. OPERATION No. 162/21/M. A : 9 aircraft in 3 Vics airborne from JESI L/G between 1452 - 1758 Hours. Crews briefed to attack LABIN M/Y pp J 480190, but bad weather was encountered east of TRIESTE and formation turned South and bombed the alternative - ARSA COAL JETTY at J 040044. Attacking from 12000' on a course of 190 degrees at 1642 hrs. First Box overshot slightly, no hits claimed in T/A; Second Box had a slight left error and undershoot- with last few bombs possibly in tip of target; Third Box straddled wharf with end of pattern in sea. No 2 of first Vic hit by moderate fairly accurate H/A/A immediately after releasing bombs; broke away, and eventually crashed and exploded at approx. H 8605; 4 chutes seen. Another aircraft holed. Formation escorted by 6 Spits. from PORTO CORSINI. Weather 10/10th cloud inland, but target clear and visibility good. B : (1) 9 Marauders 111 (11) Nil. C : (1) Nil (11) Nil. D : (1) 25.50 Hrs. (11) Nil. E : (1) 30600 x .05 (11) Nil. (111) 3400 x .50 F : (1) 54 x 500 (11) 51 x 500 (111) & (1v) Nil. 36 x 250 34 x 250 288 lbs. Window. 33 Pkts. Pamphlets. Fused Tail only 30 - 51 (Demo.) G : (1) 1 Marauder 111 destroyed (11) 1 Marauder holed slight. H : (1) Missing: P/O BLACKFORD W.F. R.A.A.F. Pilot. W/O RICHARDSON W.H. S.A.A.F. 2nd Pilot. LT. SMIT D. S.A.A.F. Observer. SGT. ARTHUR E.M. R.A.F. W/AO. SGT. SMITH D.S. R.A.F. A/G. WO/11.NEL N.H. S.A.A.F. A/G. J to V Nil. W : (1) 3 Marauders 111 (11) Nil. X : (1) 4.15 Hrs. 16 x 10 lb. Nil. S.L. Boschoff [Signed] ---------------------- CAPTAIN. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Handwritten Marginalia / Stamps: * Folio Number: 108 (Handwritten, Top Right). * Reference Stamp:

1945-03-09

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms * AIR 27 / 271: The United Kingdom National Archives (TNA) classification for Operations Record Books (ORBs); series 271 specifically contains the chronological logs for 21 Squadron SAAF. * BA-BH (Martin Baltimore): The primary twin-engine tactical medium bomber (Marks IV and V) utilized by 21 Squadron SAAF throughout the Italian Campaign. During March 1945, the squadron's OPREPs often used "Marauders 111" (Martin B-26) as a standardized administrative classification within 3 Wing SAAF. * Demo (Demolition): High-explosive GP ordnance fused to destroy structural targets like coal jetties. * H/A/A (Heavy Anti-Aircraft): Large-caliber German anti-aircraft artillery (typically 8.8 cm or 10.5 cm) capable of reaching the 12,000' altitude of the formation. * JESI L/G: Jesi Landing Ground; the squadron's operational base during this period. * MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard high-explosive bomb types. * MET (Meteorological Report): Critical atmospheric intelligence; 10/10th cloud (total overcast) inland forced the switch to the alternative coastal target. * pp (Pin-point): Precise map coordinates. * S.C.O.R.U.: Section for Operational Research and Underlining (or Unit), responsible for statistical analysis of bombing accuracy. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer, responsible for mission debriefing. * Vic: A tactical formation of three aircraft flying in a 'V' shape. * Window: Chaff; aluminum foil strips dispensed (288 lbs) to disrupt German radar. Operational Context Target File 271-3_15 documents Operation 162/21/M on March 8, 1945, involving a 9-aircraft strike against the Arsa Coal Jetty in the Istrian Peninsula (modern Croatia). The formation originally targeted the Labin Marshalling Yards but diverted due to heavy cloud cover inland. This mission was a component of Operation Bingo, the strategic interdiction campaign intended to paralyze German Heeresgruppe C by severing all logistical routes, including maritime coal supplies essential for Axis operations in North-East Italy. This operation demonstrates the technical continuity from principles established during the 1943 battles for the Bernhardt and Gustav Lines. In November 1943, 21 Squadron SAAF executed high-intensity strikes on bottlenecks like location H055630 to prevent German reserves from reaching the front lines. By March 1945, the tactical focus had shifted to theater-wide strategic isolation. The mission proved costly; aircraft No. 2 of the first Vic, piloted by P/O Blackford (RAAF), was hit by accurate heavy flak immediately after ordnance release. The aircraft exploded upon impact at H 8605, though four parachutes were observed. This loss, alongside the distribution of 33 packets of propaganda pamphlets, underscores the sustained pressure applied to the crumbling Axis logistics network during the final Allied offensive.