Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 4th MARCH, 1945
APPENDIX "A"103FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORD)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU)S.A.O.A. ADV. H.Q. S.A.A.F. C.M.F.W.I.O. 3 SA WING S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/951DATE : 4th MARCH, 1945.Oprep No. 951 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 3/3/45.Ref Map Italy 1:100,000 Sheet 38 - CONEGLIANO.OP. 157/21S/M.
A : Ten aircraft in one Box and two Vics off from Jesi L/Gat 1010 hrs to attack Conegliano M/Yards at B681008 with 1000 lbsbombs. After r/v with an escort of 6 Spits at Forli, formation crossedcoast at H.3073 and bombed from 12000' at 1145 hrs. on acourse of about 300°. All Boxes undershot, the majorityof bombs falling among dispersed buildings about 400 yardsshort of briefed target. 16 Packets of pamphlets suppliedby P.W.B. dropped in target area. 9 Packets window dispensed.All A/C down by 1310 hrs. No enemy opposition. Weather :target clear and visibility good.B : (1) 10 Marauders III (ii) NilC : (1) & (ii) NilD : (1) 30.00 Hrs. (ii) NilE : (1) 34000 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF : (1) 40 x 1000GP (Demo) (ii) 40 x 1000 { 16 Packets Pamphlets{ 20 Lbs of Window.Fusing:- Tail Only:- 30 - 36.(iii) & (iv) NilG to V : NilW : (1) 2 Marauders III (ii) Nil.X : (1) 1.50 Hrs (ii) NilY : 16. x 10 Lbs Practice.Z : Nil S. L. Bosch [Signed] Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
Handwritten Marginalia / Stamps: * Folio Number: 103 (Handwritten, Top Right). * Reference Stamp:The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/3
Transcriber's Notes
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer. Captain S.L. Bosch, responsible for compiling mission data.
- W.I.O
- Wing Intelligence Officer.
- Spits
- Supermarine Spitfire fighters provided for escort and top-cover.
- Window
- Chaff; strips of aluminum foil dropped to confuse German radar-directed anti-aircraft defenses. Operational Context Target File 271-3_6 documents Operation 157/21S/M, a ten-aircraft strike against the Conegliano Marshalling Yards on March 3, 1945. Conegliano, situated on the Venice–Udine railway, was a vital logistical node for German Heeresgruppe C. Its interdiction was a core objective of Operation Bingo, the strategic aerial campaign intended to achieve total logistical paralysis of German forces in Northern Italy by severing supply and escape routes through the Alpine passes. This methodology of systematically pulverizing transit hubs represents the final evolution of the interdiction doctrine used earlier in the campaign. In November 1943, 21 Squadron SAAF conducted high-intensity strikes on localized bottlenecks, such as location H055630, to maintain tactical pressure and prevent German reserves from reaching the Bernhardt and Gustav Lines. By March 1945, the tactical focus had transitioned to achieving total strategic paralysis of the enemy’s rear echelons. The report notes that "All Boxes undershot," with bombs falling 400 yards short of the briefed target among dispersed buildings. Despite the lack of kinetic success against the rail infrastructure, the non-kinetic component—dropping 16 packets of propaganda pamphlets—was completed, reflecting the psychological warfare efforts carried out as Axis logistical depth was dismantled. The use of 20 lbs of Window suggests an anticipation of radar-guided flak, although "No enemy opposition" was encountered during the 3-hour mission. 7
MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard high-explosive ordnance carried by Baltimore crews for the destruction of rail and logistical infrastructure.