Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 18th AUGUST, 1944
APPENDIX "E"111TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU): H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU): S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/ 798DATE : 18th AUGUST, 1944.OPREP NO. 798 FOR THE 24 HRS. ENDING 2100 L.T. ON THE 17. 8. 44.REF. MAP:- ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 64, ROVIGO.OPERATION NO. 3/21/M.: 12 Marauders airborne from PESCARA at 0910 Hrs to attacka R.R. BRIDGE at G. 249146 near ROVIGO. After R/V with8 Spitfires at FALCONARA, formation set course over thesea and turned inland near the PO River mouth.Here the Leader's Bombsight WENT U/S and second Box movedup and took over, bombing first. Attack took place from10500 and 10,000 feet respectively on course of 250º at1050 hrs.First Box straddled bridge in centre, but no direct hitswere observed. 2 x 1000 lbs bombs hung-up, jettisonedin sea ten miles from SAN BENEDETTO.Second Box slight right error and slight overshoot a veryshort pattern commencing on Northern approach to Bridge,with possible direct hit.No enemy opposition encounteredTarget clear of cloud, but visibility very hazy. All A/Cdown by 1220 hrs.:(1) 12 Marauders 111 (ii) Nil:(i) & (ii) Nil:(i) 38 Hrs (ii) Nil:(i) 48 x 1000 (Fused 49-30 Tail) (ii) 46 x 1000 (iii) 2 x 1000 (iv) NIL(iv) Nil:(i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil: Nil.(Signed) S.L. Boschoff For CAPT.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. M.A.A.F
- Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
- T.A.F
- Tactical Air Force.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- L.T
- Local Time.
- R.R
- Railroad.
- R/V
- Rendezvous.
- U/S
- Unserviceable (military slang for equipment failure).
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- S.L. Boschoff
- Captain S.L. Boschoff was the Squadron Intelligence Officer for 21 Squadron. His signature appears on these "OPREPs" (Operational Reports), which were critical for documenting the squadron's performance and accuracy during the pivotal first weeks of Marauder operations.
Abbreviations Expanded:
Observations about Individuals:
Location and Strategic Geography:
Historical Theatre Context: