Operation

APPENDIX "C" 30 To: HQ MAAF (attention 23rd. SCORU) HQ MATAF (attention 2nd. Command Unit 23rd. SCORU) SADA SAAF. From: SIO 21 Squadron SAAF. Ref: 21S/745. DATE: 2nd.July 1944. OPREP No. 745 FOR PERIOD ENDING 14.00 Hrs. 2nd.July 1944. Ref Map: ITALY 1.100000 Sheet 88 IMOLA. A. 12 Baltimores airborne from PESCARA at 10.27 Hrs to bomb LUGO M/Yds. (M 340382). Attack took place at 11.50Hrs from 13500' on a course of 290°. First box overshot into town from M 341383 to M 340385. Second box also overshot from M 336384 to M 335386. Several direct hits on buildings. Weather cloudless slight haze. No enemy opposition. All A/C. landed to base by 13.10 Hrs. One Baltimore Mk.v returned on one engine all the way from target, escorted by two Spitfires. Close escort of 8 Spitfires was provided. B. (i) 7 Baltimores Mk.iv (ii) Nil (i) 5 Baltimores Mk.v (ii) Nil. C. (i)&(ii) Nil. (i)&(ii) Nil. D. (i) 17.10 Hrs. (ii) Nil (i) 12.05 Hrs. (ii) Nil. E. (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii)&(iii) Nil. (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii)&(iii) Nil. F. (i) 14 x 500 MC. 21 x 250 GP. (ii) as in (i) (iii)&(iv) Nil Fused 36-27 Nose 36-28 Tail except 3x250GP. 52-37 Tail (delay). (i) 10 x 500 MC. 15 x 250 GP. (ii) as in (i). (iii)&(iv) Nil. G to Z. Nil. Hallick Captain, S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

1944-07-02

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target: Lugo Marshalling Yards (Collateral Damage): * The Objective: The target was the "LUGO M/Yds" (Marshalling Yards) at coordinates M 340382. Rail yards were high-priority targets to disrupt the movement of German supplies and reinforcements to the front lines. * Civilian Impact: The report bluntly states that the raid was a failure in terms of precision: "First box overshot into town... Second box also overshot... Several direct hits on buildings.". Bombing from 13,500 feet, an overshoot meant the stick of bombs landed in the residential or commercial districts of Lugo (a town in the Emilia-Romagna region) rather than on the rail tracks, inevitably causing significant civilian property damage and likely casualties. * Emergency Procedures (The "Lame Duck"): * Single-Engine Return: A dramatic incident is recorded: "One Baltimore Mk.v returned on one engine all the way from target, escorted by two Spitfires.". The Martin Baltimore could fly on one engine, but it would lose speed and altitude, making it a sitting duck for enemy fighters. * Fighter Escort Discipline: The fact that "two Spitfires" detached from the main "Close escort of 8 Spitfires" to shepherd the crippled bomber home demonstrates the high level of coordination and protection provided by the fighter wings (likely SAAF or RAF Spitfires). * Ordnance (Delay Fuses): * Area Denial: As seen in previous reports, the loadout included a nasty surprise for repair crews: "except 3x250GP. 52-37 Tail (delay).". These three bombs were fused to explode hours later, complicating any rescue or repair efforts in the town or rail yard. * Abbreviations: * M/Yds: Marshalling Yards. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * G.P.: General Purpose. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer (Capt. Hallick). * IMOLA: The reference map sheet name, covering the area of Lugo and Imola. 31 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 3rd.July 1944. in the "Date" field. It is a Sortie Report (Appendix "D") labeled 31 in the top right corner.