Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 5th.JULY 1944
APPENDIX "G"34TO: HQ.MAAF (attention 23rd. SCORU)HQ MATAF (attention 2nd. Command 23rd. SCORU),SAOA SAAF.FROM: S.I.O. 21 Squadron SAAF.REF: 21S/749DATE: 5th.JULY 1944.OPREP No. 749 FOR PERIOD ENDING 21.00 Hrs. 4th.JULY 1944.REF MAP: ITALY 1-100.000 Sheets 99 FAENZA & 100 FORLI.A. 12 Baltimores airborne from PESCARA at 08.55 Hrs. to bomb railway linebetween FAENZA & FORLI. Formation set course from Fermo with an escort of8 Spitfires. 10/10th cloud 8000' base from ANCONA Northwards forced theformation to turn back with bomb-load. Some delay bombs jettisoned at sea.7 unidentified single in-line engine fighters closed in within 1500 yardsof the formation in target area. Two gunners fired short bursts when A/Cmade for cloud. Escort did not leave bomber formation. All A/C landed by11.20 Hrs.B. (i) 4 Balt. Mk iv.(ii) Nil.(i) 8 Balt. Mk v.(ii) Nil.C. (i)&(ii) Nil.(i)&(ii) Nil.D. (i) 09.20 Hrs.(ii) Nil.(i) 16.40 Hrs.(ii) Nil.E. (i) 12800 x .301200 x .3032800 x .50(ii) 20 x .50(iii) Nil(i) 25600 x .302400 x .3035600 x .50(ii) 20 x .50(iii) Nil.F. (i) 8 x 500 MC.12 x 250 GP.(ii) Nil.(iii) 1 x 500 MC.(iv) NilFused: 36x27 Nose, 36x28 Tail, except 1x500MC & 2x250 GP. 52-37 Tail(Delay, 6 & 12 Hrs).(i) 16 x 500 MC.24 x 250 GP.(ii) Nil.(iii) 4 x 500 MC.8 x 250 GP.(iv) Nil.G to V. Nil.W. (i) 1 Balt. Mk.iv.(ii) Nil(i) 2 Balt. Mk.v(ii) Nil(i) 4 Marauder Mk.iii.(ii) Nil.X. (i) 00.15 Hrs.(ii) Nil(i) 01.15 Hrs.(ii) Nil(i) 04.20 Hrs.(ii) Nil.Y. 1 x 250 GP.NilNilNil.Z. NilHallick Captain.S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- SAOA
- Senior Air Officer Administration.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer (Capt. Hallick). 35 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 4th July, 1944.. It is a page of "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS" (Appendix "H") labeled 35 in the top right corner.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- MC
- Medium Capacity (High Explosive).
- GP
- General Purpose.
Mission Abort & Safety Procedures:
Aerial Combat Encounter:
Target Area (Romagna Region):
Faenza & Forli: The target was the "railway line between FAENZA & FORLI". This rail link connects Bologna to the Adriatic coast (Rimini/Ancona) and was a major artery for the German Gothic Line supply effort.
Training Tempo:
Abbreviations: