Operation

(page obscured on left) (obscured) : H.Q. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) APPENDIX "N" (obscured) : H.Q. MASAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) 85 (obscured) : SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. REF : 21S/560 DATE : 23 Feb 44 1400 SUBJECT: OPREP No.560 for the period ending 1200 A Hrs 22 Feb 44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 158 LITTORIA (obscured) A: 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO L/G from 1028 Hrs to bomb CAMPOLEONE RR station (F877385). The formation in two boxes of six flew to rendezvous point with 12 Baltimores of 223 Sqdn (Mouth of VOLTURNO River) thence along coast to target and back the same way. Attack took place at 1155 in visibility impaired by haze. Bombing height 15000' course 110° - 130° (obscured) oxes bombed individually. First box dropped a short stick NORTH of CAMPOLEONE RR station from F876389 to F880386. Second box bombed from F878388 to F884385. Two direct hits on Rd at F883385. NO other results observed. Heavy intense A/Ack on the whole inaccurate from target area. (obscured) ost of the guns appeared to be along the Rd, LAKE ALBANO, VELLETRI and (obscured) .. of CISTERNA. Black smoke but some red puffs reported. 2 a/c slightly holed. Last a/c landed back to BIFERNO at 1301 Hrs. One a/c returned with full bomb load owing to bomb doors failing to open (cause being investigat ed). 1 x 250 Hang-up. (obscured) B: (i) 12 Baltimores (2 Mk.3A, 10 Mk.4) (ii) NIL (obscured) C: NIL (obscured) D: (i) 2 Mk.3A: 4.50 Hrs. 10 Mk.4: 24.10 Hrs (ii) NIL (obscured) E: (i) 2 Mk.3A: 6400 x .30 10 Mk.4: 32000 x .30 600 x .303 3000 x .303 1400 x .50 7000 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (obscured) F: (i) 2 Mk.3A: 4 x 500 MC 49 Det 27 Pistol 6 x 250 GP do do 10 Mk.4 : 20 x 500 MC do do 30 x 250 GP do do (ii) 22 x 500 MC 49 Det 27 Pistol 32 x 250 GP do do (iii) & (iv) NIL (obscured) G: to Z: NIL (Signature) (Illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-02-23

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Operational Context: * "First raid from the new landing ground": As noted in the diary entry for February 22nd, this was the first combat mission launched from the new base at Biferno (Campomarino) on the Adriatic coast. * Rendezvous Point: The squadron flew across the peninsula to meet No. 223 Squadron (RAF) at the Mouth of the Volturno River on the west coast before proceeding north to the target. This "cross-country" routing demonstrates the extended reach required now that they were based on the opposite side of Italy from the main ground fighting at Anzio. * Target (Campoleone Station): Campoleone was the "hot spot" of the Anzio perimeter. The station was a critical supply node just behind the German lines facing the British 1st Division. The mention of Cisterna and Velletri (key towns on the Anzio front) in the flak report highlights the density of German defenses in this small, fiercely contested area. * Flak Analysis: * "Red puffs": The report notes "Black smoke but some red puffs reported." Anti-aircraft fire was typically black (high explosive) or white (shrapnel/time-fused). "Red puffs" often indicated specific tracer rounds, signal shells used by Flak commanders to mark altitude for other batteries, or sometimes a specific type of incendiary flak. * Flak Locations: The guns were spotted along the road near Lake Albano, Velletri, and Cisterna. This triangulates the German heavy flak belt protecting the Alban Hills, which overlooked the entire Anzio beachhead. * Ordnance: * Pistols/Detonators: The report confirms the use of "49 Det 27 Pistol". As previously analyzed, this indicates an instantaneous impact fusing setting, designed to shatter the rail tracks and crater the roads rather than penetrate deep into buildings. * Hang-up/Failure: One aircraft returned with a full load because the "bomb doors fail[ed] to open." This is a significant mechanical failure, rendering the bomber useless for the mission. * Map Reference: * Sheet 158 LITTORIA: This map sheet covers the Pontine Marshes and the coastal area south of Rome (including Anzio/Nettuno). Littoria (modern Latina) was a major town in the reclaimed marshland. * Abbreviations: * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Record Unit. * SAOA: Senior Air Officer Administration. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * RR: Railroad. 117 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'O'" Operational Report (OPREP). The date in the header is 24 Feb 44.