| TORTORELLA |

SORTIE REPORT (Part A) R.A.F. Form 441 A. V 45 | [Header Columns] | [Content] | |---|---| | Sheet No | 1 | | Oprep. Ref. No. | 528 | | Date | 24 Jan 44 | | Squadron | 21 SAAF | | Type of Aircraft | 13 Baltimores (1 returned | | Aircraft No. | Mk.4s early) | | Aircraft Letter | See over | | Captain | LT/COL KOTZE | | Crew | CAPT CARTER | | | Formation Leader | | Time Up | 0755 A Hrs 1st a/c | | Time Down | 1024 A Hrs last a/c | | Total Time | 28.20 Hours | | Aerodrome or L.G. | TORTORELLA | | Type of Cloud | St.Cu over Mtns WEST & S.W. Target & 15 miles out to sea. | |---|---| | Amount of Cloud | 6/10 | | Base of Cloud | 5000' 10,000' Tops | | Visibility | 20/25 miles | | General Weather | Bumpy and cloud closing in over target. | | Map or Chart Reference | ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 140 TERAMO | |---|---| | Task or Duty | PENNE B9428 | |---|---| | Time | Height | Place | Narrative | |---|---|---|---| | 0755 | | BASE | a/b | | 0830 | 8000 | TERMOLI | R.V. Point | | 0835 | 9000 | TERMOLI | S/c CASOLI | | 0903 | 13300 | TARGET | Bombs dropped | | 1010 | | BASE | Landed | | 1024 | | | Last a/c landed | [Signature Block] (Signed) [Signature unreadable - similar to "Lt Thompson"?] Capt SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. PART B (on reverse) to be completed according to relevant pro-forma in H.Q. R.A.F., M.E. Instruction. 34. P.T.O.

1944-01-24 | TORTORELLA |

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Sortie Report 528 (Penne): This report describes a mission to Penne (town and road junction) on January 24th, 1944. The squadron launched 13 aircraft, with one returning early (likely mechanical failure). The target, Penne, is significantly further north than the previous day's targets (Popoli/Sulmona), located in the Teramo province (Sheet 140), indicating a shift to deeper interdiction targets. * Weather Conditions (Turbulence): The "General Weather" is described as "Bumpy and cloud closing in over target." "Bumpy" refers to turbulence, which would have made formation flying and bomb aiming difficult and physically exhausting for the crews. The cloud "closing in" suggests a frontal system moving in, threatening to obscure the target. * Route Discipline: The route included a Rendezvous (R.V. Point) at Termoli at 08:30. This was a standard assembly point for the wing or squadron before turning inland ("S/c CASOLI") to cross the mountains. Termoli's coastal location made it an easy visual reference point. * Mission Leadership: Lt. Col. Kotzé (O.C.) led the mission with Capt. Carter. Their leadership of a large formation (13 aircraft) into deteriorating weather demonstrates the command's push to maintain pressure on German supply lines despite the difficult flying conditions. * Map Reference: "Sheet 140 TERAMO" confirms the northerly location of Penne. * Abbreviations: * a/b: Airborne. * S/c: Set Course. * R.V.: Rendezvous. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. 63 Verification: Target File Verification: This document is the reverse side (Part B) of the Sortie Report for January 24th, 1944 (Sortie No. 528). Although there is no "Date" column on this side, the target "PENNE B9428 - To create Rd Block" and the "Time over Target" of 0904 A Hrs match the Part A document from the previous image (269-1__62.jpg) dated Jan 24, 1944.