Operation

'Y' 194 TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU) H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU) S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F. FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. REF. : 21S/ 840 DATE : 25th SEPTEMBER, 1944 OPREP NO. 840 FOR THE PERIOD 1200 HRS. TO 2100 HRS. ON THE 24 : 9 : 44 REF. MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 100 FORLI. OPS. 124 to 126/21/M. A. : 12 Marauders in three Boxes of 4 A/C each airborne from Pescara at 1340 hrs. to attack a Stores Dump on the outskirts of CESENA at M. 59308 with 1000 lbs. Demo Bombs. On arrival in Target area Cesena was found obscured by 10/10 cloud and Formation carried on to Forli, where up to shortly before take off a Target described as a Motor Transport workshops had been indicated. (This was cancelled due to reports that bad weather prevailed in the area) Formation found the Target partially covered by cloud, but objective was identified and first two boxes attacked from 10700' and 12200' respectively at 1510 hrs. First Box very slight left error with a few direct hits in N.E. corner of Target; Second Box overshot and left error of about 400 yards, with direct hits on Buildings. Third Box which had become separated, bombed FAENZA M/Yards through a gap in clouds form 13000', pattern commencing with a slight undershoot finishing in the centre of Yards. Slight H.A.A. (accurate) through cloud from Cesena area; three A/C from third box holed; due to a hit by flak, Nosewheel of one A/C collapsed on landing. No personnel casualties - 2 A/C Cat.II. Last A/C down by 1645 hrs. B. : (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) Nil C. : (i) & (ii) Nil D. : (i) 33.20 hrs. (ii) Nil E. : (i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil F. : (i) 48 x 1000 (ii) 48 x 1000 (iii) & (iv) Nil G. : (i) Nil (ii) 2 Marauders III Cat.II. H to Z. : Nil. (Signed) S. L. Boashoff capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.