Operation

APPENDIX "G" 34 TO: HQ.MAAF (attention 23rd. SCORU) HQ MATAF (attention 2nd. Command 23rd. SCORU), SAOA SAAF. FROM: S.I.O. 21 Squadron SAAF. REF: 21S/749 DATE: 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 line between FAENZA & FORLI. Formation set course from Fermo with an escort of 8 Spitfires. 10/10th cloud 8000' base from ANCONA Northwards forced the formation to turn back with bomb-load. Some delay bombs jettisoned at sea. 7 unidentified single in-line engine fighters closed in within 1500 yards of the formation in target area. Two gunners fired short bursts when A/C made for cloud. Escort did not leave bomber formation. All A/C landed by 11.20 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 .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) 20 x .50 (iii) Nil (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 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) Nil Fused: 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. Nil Nil Nil. Z. Nil Hallick Captain. S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

1944-07-05

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Mission Abort & Safety Procedures: * Weather Cancellation: Sortie 749 on July 4th was aborted due to "10/10th cloud" (complete overcast) with a base of 8,000 feet. Visual bombing was impossible. * Jettisoning Dangerous Ordnance: The report notes "Some delay bombs jettisoned at sea.". It was a strict safety protocol not to land with long-delay fused bombs (specifically the "52-37 Tail" mentioned in section F, set for "6 & 12 Hrs" delay). Even though the safety pins might be re-inserted, the chemical vials in the fuses were sensitive. If a crash or hard landing occurred, the bombs could turn the airfield into a ticking time bomb. Jettisoning them "safe" into the Adriatic was the standard procedure. * Aerial Combat Encounter: * Unidentified Fighters: The formation was approached by "7 unidentified single in-line engine fighters.". "In-line engine" typically identified German Messerschmitt Bf 109s or Italian Macchi C.205s (as opposed to the radial-engine Focke-Wulf 190). * Defensive Reaction: The situation was tense enough that "Two gunners fired short bursts" as the bombers "made for cloud" to hide. * Escort Discipline: The report highlights that the "Escort [8 Spitfires] did not leave bomber formation," resisting the urge to chase the enemy fighters, which was often a German tactic to lure escorts away from the bombers they were protecting. * 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: * Marauder Hours: Despite the aborted combat mission, the squadron managed to log "04.20 Hrs" on "4 Marauder Mk.iii" aircraft, continuing the critical conversion training. * Abbreviations: * SAOA: Senior Air Officer Administration. * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * GP: General Purpose. * A/C: Aircraft. * 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.