Accurate H.A.A.-moderate- encountered, three A/C holed; one W.O.P./A.G. wounded (compound fracture of right elbow). Scat

Sortie Report (Form 541)

Date: 12th SEPTEMBER, 1944

"J"179TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU)H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU)S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/825DATE : 12th SEPTEMBER, 1944OPREP NO. 825 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING "2100 HRS." ON THE 11th SEPTEMBER 1944REF. MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 101 RIMINI.OPS. NO. 76 to 81 / 21 / M.A. : 23 Marauders in 5 boxes of four A/C and one of three A/C airborne from PESCARA to attack enemy strongpoints in the RIMINI Sector with 250 lbs. frag. bombs. First three boxes briefed to bomb an area around R.835925, about three miles south of RIMINI, the three formations being over target at about 1120 hrs. First box's pattern through the centre of target; results of second box not observed due to cloud but the target was identified and point of release correct; third box undershot pattern finishing just short of target area. 7 x 250 Hung-up, brought back. Moderate inaccurate H.A.A. from area. Next three boxes attacked another strongpoint with its centre at R.835950, T.O.T. approximately 1720 hrs. Pattern of all three boxes well inside the eastern half of the target. Accurate H.A.A.-moderate- encountered, three A/C holed; one W.O.P./A.G. wounded (compound fracture of right elbow). Scattered cloud in the area during the day, but visibility good. Last A/C down by 1810 hrs.B. : (i) 23 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (i) & (ii) NilD. : (i) 47.40 hrs. (ii) NilE. : (i) 87400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (i) 230 x 250 (ii) 223 x 250Fused 52 - 42 Nose 36 - 30 Tail(iii) & (iv) NilG. : (1) Nil (ii) 2 A/C slightly damaged.H. : W.O.1 P.M. Bastard (WOP/AG) - woundedI to V : NilW. : (i) 2 Marauders III (ii) NilX. : (i) 50 Mins. (ii) NilY to Z : Nil(Signed) S. L. BoastLt. for Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

H.Q: Headquarters.
M.A.A.F: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
SCORU: Section Central Operational Research Unit.
T.A.F: Tactical Air Force.
S.A.O.S: South African Operational Section.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
S.I.O: Squadron Intelligence Officer.
OPREP: Operational Report.
A/C: Aircraft.
H.A.A: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak).

Abbreviations Expanded:

lbs.: pounds.

frag.: fragmentation.

Observations about Individuals:

Location and Modern Names:

Historical Theatre Context: