Sortie Report (Form 541)
BA: C330025—S.E. of LANCIANOBB: 1437 HrsBC: Medium level bombing — 11500' — 350º24 x 500 MC 43 Det 27 Pistol36 x 250 GP do do (Rods)BD: 2 bombs fell out early from leaders a/c and box bombed short fromC330020 on course in medium stick. Second box bombed from C332025to C330026. One MET hit 330020, 3 small columns black smoke insame area. Direct hits on roads C332021 and C331024.BE: 40/50 bursts H/A/A accurate for height. Followed in turn off 200yards to Port. Guns NOT sighted. 10 + LAA inaccurate after bombingBF: One A/C (Mk.3A) crashed on Take-off killing crewPilot :- 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 burstsBH: ~~Objects~~ Object sighted TERMOLI 10 miles 040º - other reportsquote 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 ROOYEN578G LT MURMAN LT WALTERS F/SGT ODENDAAL A/SGT STEWART545A LT ASKEW LT LAMBERT F/SGT GELDENHUYS XXXXX LT V. SCHALKWYK341L LT WILLMOT LT BORCHERDS 2/LT LOOTS F/SGT WALBRIDGE441F LT FROST LT WHITE F/SGT CARTER A/SGT ALLAN916K LT WITTE LTRUSHFORTH F/SGT EATON A/SGT MARAIS586B CAPT SAUNDERS P/O SMALLMAN LT POTGIETER A/SGT EARP-JONES387R LT RICHARDS LT KIRBY F/SGT ROBBERTSE A/SGT McCRENDLE383W LT GREDER LT HARLE F/SGT GREYLING A/SGT AIREY167S CAPT DUGMORE LT MASTERS 2/LT MAASDORP F/SGT ROGERS445U CAPT V. BREDA LT NAUDE F/SGT GRATTON P/O GILDON426J LT WOOD LT NEL F/SGT JAMES A/SGT ROBERTSON
Transcriber's Notes
- 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.
- MET
- Motor Enemy Transport (logistical or troop-carrying vehicles).