Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Took off
- 1035 hrs
To: SCOR OFFICER AHQ MALTA.HQ. RAF ME.HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SIO. HALFAR STN.From: SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF ADV.Ref: 21 Sqdn/ 357.OPREP NO. 357 for 24 hrs ending 1800 hrs LT 30 JULY 43.(REF MAP 1:100000 PATERNO SHEET 269)A. Aircraft took off at 1035 hrs LT and attacked Gun positions at M7393 in two boxes of 6 each from 10/10500 ft on courses of 100-115°. Landed at 1246 hrs LT. The target was covered in excellent pattern by No. 1 Box and bombs fell among dug-in positions from M728935 to M740930. No. 2 Box bombed at M724932 and scored hits on rail track. NO AA. Weather cloudy but visibility good through breaks. Bridge at M682946 blown. 40 MT moving NORTH SFERRO-CATENANUOVA dispersed.B. 12 Baltimores (10 Mk 3A and 2 Mk 3)C. NIL.D. 24 hours.E. (i) 10 Mk 3A: 32000 x .30, 7000 x .5, 3000 x .303.2 Mk 3 : 6400 x .30, 4600 x .303.(ii) (iii) NIL.(i)F. 10 Mk 3A: 60 x 250 GP 43 Det. Rods.2 Mk 3 : 12 x 250 GP 43 Det. Rods.(ii) as in (i)(iii) (iv) NIL.G TO Z. NIL.(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- AHQ
- Air Headquarters.
- RAF ME
- Royal Air Force Middle East.
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Control and Operational Research Unit.
- NATAF
- Northwest African Tactical Air Force.
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- STN
- Station.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- ADV
- Advanced (indicating the squadron’s forward element).
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
ft: feet.
Grid Pinpoints (M7393, M728935 to M740930): These references describe a concentrated area of Axis artillery and infantry positions north of the Simeto River.