Operation

BA: C330025—S.E. of LANCIANO BB: 1437 Hrs BC: Medium level bombing — 11500' — 350º 24 x 500 MC 43 Det 27 Pistol 36 x 250 GP do do (Rods) BD: 2 bombs fell out early from leaders a/c and box bombed short from C330020 on course in medium stick. Second box bombed from C332025 to C330026. One MET hit 330020, 3 small columns black smoke in same area. Direct hits on roads C332021 and C331024. BE: 40/50 bursts H/A/A accurate for height. Followed in turn off 200 yards to Port. Guns NOT sighted. 10 + LAA inaccurate after bombing BF: One A/C (Mk.3A) crashed on Take-off killing crew Pilot :- LT ROBERTSON. I.F.D. Observer:- LT HANNING. F.W. WOP/AG :- F/Sgt DU PIESANIE. C. A/G :- F/Sgt VALENTINE. M.G. BG: Obliques and Verticals of bomb bursts BH: ~~Objects~~ Object sighted TERMOLI 10 miles 040º - other reports quote fishing smacks same area. Small silver balloon off PENNA POINT seen at 20000' 2 Spitfires dived when A/A came up. AIRCRAFT AND CREW LIST. 437H LT/COL KOTZE LT CARTER 2/LTS PERKINS & VAN ROOYEN 578G LT MURMAN LT WALTERS F/SGT ODENDAAL A/SGT STEWART 545A LT ASKEW LT LAMBERT F/SGT GELDENHUYS XXXXX LT V. SCHALKWYK 341L LT WILLMOT LT BORCHERDS 2/LT LOOTS F/SGT WALBRIDGE 441F LT FROST LT WHITE F/SGT CARTER A/SGT ALLAN 916K LT WITTE LTRUSHFORTH F/SGT EATON A/SGT MARAIS 586B CAPT SAUNDERS P/O SMALLMAN LT POTGIETER A/SGT EARP-JONES 387R LT RICHARDS LT KIRBY F/SGT ROBBERTSE A/SGT McCRENDLE 383W LT GREDER LT HARLE F/SGT GREYLING A/SGT AIREY 167S CAPT DUGMORE LT MASTERS 2/LT MAASDORP F/SGT ROGERS 445U CAPT V. BREDA LT NAUDE F/SGT GRATTON P/O GILDON 426J LT WOOD LT NEL F/SGT JAMES A/SGT ROBERTSON

1943-11-28

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes Glossary of Terms * BA–BH: Standardized intelligence reporting blocks utilized by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) for Target (BA), Time (BB), Weaponry/Altitude (BC), Narrative (BD), Opposition (BE), Losses (BF), Photography (BG), and Observations (BH). * MC / GP: Medium Capacity (blast focus) / General Purpose (fragmentation/utility) bomb types. * Det / Pistol: Initiating detonators and mechanical impact or delay fuses. * Rods: Nose-extension rods fitted to GP bombs to ensure instantaneous detonation at or above ground level, maximizing fragmentation spread against "soft targets" like infantry. * H/A/A / LAA: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak) and Light Anti-Aircraft fire. * MET: Motor Enemy Transport (logistical or troop-carrying vehicles). * WOP/AG / A/G: Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and Air Gunner. * I.F.D. / F.W. / C. / M.G.: Initials of the deceased crew members recorded in section BF. Biographical Analysis: The Loss of Lt. Robertson's Crew Section BF records a catastrophic operational loss. Lieutenant Robertson and his crew—Lt. Hanning, F/Sgt Du Piesanie, and F/Sgt Valentine—were killed when their Martin Baltimore Mk.3A crashed during takeoff from Tortorella. This crew had been active participants in the squadron’s intensive November operations, having completed a combat sortie on the morning strike of the same day (Oprep Ref No. 462). Their loss underscores the extreme mechanical and environmental risks inherent in operating heavily laden light bombers from the unpaved, mud-prone airfields of the Foggia plain. Operational Context: Lanciano (C330025) On 28 November 1943, Lanciano was a primary defensive anchor of the German Bernhardt Line. The coordinates C330025 target tactical positions southeast of the town, where German forces were concentrated to repel the British Eighth Army's final assault across the Sangro River. The confirmed hit on a MET vehicle and direct hits on transit roads were essential to paralyzing German logistical rotations during the river crossing phase. Execution Constraints and Combat Observations * Tactical Incident: The report notes a mechanical failure in the leader's aircraft where two bombs fell out early, causing the first box to bomb short of the intended target. * Intense Opposition: The formation encountered "40/50 bursts" of H/A/A that were highly accurate for height, suggesting the German flak batteries at Lanciano were well-calibrated despite the presence of Allied fighter suppression. * Reconnaissance (BH): Observations include a "small silver balloon" at 20,000 feet, potentially a meteorological or barrage balloon, and fishing smacks off Termoli, reflecting the proximity of tactical bombing runs to the Adriatic coastal traffic. * Fighter Activity: The mention of two Spitfires diving as the anti-aircraft fire increased illustrates the standard Desert Air Force (DAF) tactic of using escort fighters to strafe flak positions in support of the medium-level bombers. 143 The verification date for the archival document 276-2__143.jpg is 29 Nov 43.