All a/c landed back at base by 1015 Hrs. An area cover of 5 Spitfires was provided. Weather clear and visibility over ta

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/589 DATE : 15th Mar 44 OPREP No.589 for period ending 1100 Hrs on 15/3/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 133 ASCOLI PICENO A: 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO L/G from 0820 Hrs to bomb SAN BENEDETTO RR STN. After R/V with 223 Sqdn (leading) 21 Sqdn attacked in 2 boxes at 0920 Hrs on a course of 210° from 12000'. No.2 box was flying line astern close to No.1 box. The leaders bombs hung-up and he experienced trouble and slight delay firing the Verey signal for the formation to bomb. Some a/c bombed early, bombs falling into the sea outside the Northern Jetty, carrying into the harbour. Sticks straddled a portion of target whilst another pattern was observed from the S.W. corner extending well into SAN BENEDETTO town. One a/c did NOT observe Verey light signal and bombs falling into the sea after turn off. 2 x 500 and 4 x 250 bombs hung-up, jettisoned in sea 5 miles S.E. of target. All a/c landed back at base by 1015 Hrs. An area cover of 5 Spitfires was provided. Weather clear and visibility over target was clear with/10 Cirrus at 25000'. H/A/A intense and accurate was encountered over target, seven of the a/c being holed. 4 guns at B888866 - 2 guns B880868. Semi circle of guns around hills B850805 - B900810 - B895818 also guns at B885845 - B910790 - B900825 - B890800 & B907803 B: (1) 10 Balts IV. (ii) NIL (1) 1 Balt V. (ii) NIL (1) 1 Balt IIIA (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (1) 16.20 Hrs (ii) NIL (1) 1.50 Hrs (ii) NIL (1) 1.50 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (1) 32000 x .30 3000 x .303 7000 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (1) 20 x 500 MC 30 x 250 GP (ii) 18 x 500 MC 26 x 250 GP (iii) 2 x 500 MC 4 x 250 GP (iv) NIL (1) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) NIL (iii) As in (1) (iv) NIL (1) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fused: 47 Det 27 Pist (Nose) 49 Det 28 Pist (Tail) ) G: (i) NIL (ii) 7 a/c Holed Cat.1 to Z: NIL. Wahlin...? Capt SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-03-15

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Operational Mishap (The Verey Light Incident): * The Failure: The mission to bomb San Benedetto del Tronto (a coastal city in the Marche region) was marred by a critical equipment failure. The leader's bombs "hung-up" (failed to release mechanically). Standard procedure in this event was for the leader to fire a Verey Light (flare) to visually signal the rest of the formation to drop. * The Chaos: The leader "experienced trouble and slight delay firing the Verey signal". This split-second delay shattered the formation's synchronization. Some nervous bombardiers dropped early (hitting the sea and harbor), while others waited too long, sending sticks of bombs "extending well into SAN BENEDETTO town," likely causing significant civilian collateral damage instead of hitting the rail station precisely. * Detailed Flak Intelligence: * Seven Aircraft Hit: The German defenses were "intense and accurate," resulting in 7 of the 12 aircraft being holed (Cat.1 damage). This was a punishing ratio for a single mission. * Counter-Battery Data: Remarkably, the crews managed to pinpoint the exact locations of the German flak batteries despite the heavy fire. The report lists specific grid coordinates for multiple gun positions (e.g., "4 guns at B888866," "Semi circle of guns around hills"). This data was gold dust for Allied intelligence, allowing future missions or fighter-bombers to target these specific anti-aircraft nests. * Technical Issues: * Jettisoning: The mechanical gremlins continued with other aircraft; "2 x 500 and 4 x 250 bombs hung-up" and had to be jettisoned into the sea. This points to a potential systemic issue with the bomb release solenoids or the freezing temperatures at 12,000 feet affecting the racks. * Abbreviations: * RR STN: Railroad Station. * Verey Light: A pyrotechnic flare used for signalling. * H/A/A: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * Cat.1: Category 1 damage (repairable at unit). 53 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 15 March 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 590) detailing a second mission flown on March 15th, 1944.