Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 31st Mar 44
TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.REF : 21S/612DATE : 31st Mar 44OPREP No.612 for the period ending 2100 Hrs on 30/3/44REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 152 SORA12 Baltimores briefed to R/V with 223 Sqdn and 55 Sqdn over base (with21 leading) to attack an AMMO DUMP at 0688478 near SORA. The first xxxx10 a/c were airborne by 1535 Hrs. 11th a/c crashed immediately near therun-way and shortly afterwards burst into flames. Pilot, Observer andWOP/AG managed to escape without serious injury but A/G was trapped andburnt to death. 12th a/c did NOT take off. Remaining 10 a/c instructedto proceed with raid: 223 and 55 Sqdn did NOT participate. Formation setcourse at 1620 Hrs and soon after crossing bomb line encountered cloud.Weather conditions deteriorated Westwards and target area was found to betotally obscured by several layers of cloud. After cruising aroundlooking for gaps formation returned to base with all bombs. Closeescort of Spitfires from base. NO enemy opposition. All a/c down by1757 Hrs.B: (i) 1 Balt 111A.(ii) NIL(i) 8 Balts IV(ii) NIL(i) 2 Balts V(ii) NILC: NILD: (i) 2.05 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 14.40 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 4.10 Hrs(ii) NILE: (i) 3200 x .30300 x .303700 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(i) 25600 x .302400 x .3035600 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(i) 6400 x .30600 x .3031400 x .50(ii) & (iii) NILF: (i) 2 x 500 MC3 x 250 GP(ii) (iii) & (iv) NIL(i) 16 x 500 MC24 x 250 GP(ii) & (iii) NIL(iii) 2 x 500 MC3 x 250 GP(i) 4 x 500 MC6 x 250 GP(ii) (iii) & (iv) NILFused: NOSE 52 Det 44 Pist TAIL 49 Det 28 PistG: (i) NIL(ii) NIL(1) 1 Baltimore IV. (Destroyed) . (1) NIL(ii) NILH: 544135V. F/SGT C.G. JOHNSTON (WOP/AG) Killed in crashed aircraft.to V: NILW: (i) 3 Balts 111. 1 Balt IV. (ii) NIL(i) 2.40 Hrs 1.10 Hrs. (ii) NILY: 1 x 20 FragmentationZ: NIL.S.L. Boshoff LtCapt.SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- R/V
- Rendezvous.
- WOP/AG
- Wireless Operator / Air Gunner.
- A/G
- Air Gunner.
- 111A
- Mark IIIA. 75 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 31st March 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 613) detailing a mission flown on March 31st, 1944.
- F/SGT
- Flight Sergeant.
Tragedy at Biferno (The Crash of March 30th):
Operational Persistence:
Target (Sora):
The target was an "AMMO DUMP... near Sora". This was the same target they failed to hit the previous day (March 29th) due to weather, showing the high priority command placed on destroying this specific supply cache in the Liri Valley.
Abbreviations: