One burst

APPENDIX "C" 184 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/617 DATE : 3rd April 44 OPREP No.617 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 3/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 124 MACERATA 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO from 0830 Hrs to bomb BARRACKS about a mile S.W. of MACERATA, beleived to contain Fascist personnel. Leading crew specially briefed at 3 Wing. After R/V with 223 Sqdn over Base, formation set course over sea at 0912 Hrs (21 Leading) and turned in at PEDASO, attacking from 8000' at 1002 Hrs on a course of 015°. Pattern straddled Eastern half of barracks, with bursts on and between bungalows, and hits on road EAST and N.E. of target. One burst amongst 20 people running out of bungalows. All bombs of one a/c hung- up. 24 Kitty bombers attacked selected target in MACERATA town prior to formation's arrival and then provided area cover and escort home. NO opposition in target area but few bursts of inaccurate H/A/A from coast near PESCARA on return. All a/c down by 1105 Hrs. Visibility poor in target area with 8 - 9/10 St.Cu. 8 - 9000' base. B: (i) 7 Balts 1V. (ii) NIL (1) 5 Balts V (11) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 17.30 Hrs (ii) NIL (1) 12.30 Hours (ii) NIL E: (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (11) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 14 x 500 MC 21 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (1) 10 x 500 MC 15 x 250 GP (11) 8 x 500 MC 12 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL Fused: NOSE:- 47 Det 27 Pist; TAIL:- 49 Det 28 Pist) G to Z: NIL W: (i) 2 Baltimores Mk111. (ii) NIL X: (i) 1.00 Hour (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL (Signature illegible) Capt S.L. Boshoff SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. Mjr. Dalling