Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 22nd June, 1944
APPENDIX "CC"344TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAFREF : 21S/732DATE : 22nd June, 1944OPREP No. 732 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 22nd June, 1944REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 109 PESARO12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1338 hrs to attack CATTOLICAR.R. BRIDGE at R972873. With an escort of 4 Spitfires, formationset course from ORTONA at 1412 and attacked in boxes from 12000' at1455 on a course of 245°. First box straddled bridge with a concen-trated pattern, with possible D/Hs. Second box undershot slightlyend of pattern finishing on eastern approach to bridge. One D/Hon building at R975875, followed by explosion. 7 - 8/10 cloud at8000 in area; target clear through gap. No enemy opposition. AllA/c down by 1605B: (i) 6 Balts IV(ii) NIL(i) 6 Balts V(ii) NILC: NILD: (i) 15.00 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 15.00 Hrs(ii) NILE: (i) 19200 x .301800 x .3034200 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(i) 19200 x .301800 x .3034200 x .50(ii) & (iii) NILF: (i) 24 x 500 M.C.(ii) As above(iii) & (iv) NIL(Fused: 36 - 30 Tail)(i) 24 x 500 M.C.(ii) As above(iii) & (iv) NILto V: NILW: (i) 1 Balt III(ii) NIL(i) 1 Marauder III(ii) NILX: (i) 4.00 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 1.00 Hrs(ii) NILY & Z: NILFL Major AitchesonHallick Capt.S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- R.R
- Railroad.
- D/Hs
- Direct Hits.
- A/c
- Aircraft. 56 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is Appendix "DD" to the War Diary, specifically Movement Order No. 2/44. The document is dated 22nd June, 1944 under the signature block of the Officer Commanding.
- M.C
- Medium Capacity (High Explosive).
- Major Aitcheson
- The mission was led by Major Aitcheson (Flight Leader). He took command of the afternoon raid following the C.O.'s (Lt. Col. Jandrell) difficult mission earlier that morning (where wind errors caused collateral damage in Fossombrone).
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
Weather Tactics (Bombing Through the Gap):
Non-Operational Activity (Long Range Flight):
Leadership:
Abbreviations: