Operation

BA. RANDAZZO VILLAGE. BB. 1733 hrs LT. BC. Medium level. 12700 ft. Course 045°/060°. 72 x 250 GP 49 Dets. Tail fused. BD. Formation bombed the area between the village and the Railway Station and the Station Buildings. Bursts were seen across the Station, Railroad and the main road to LINGUAGLOSSA. Some bursts were seen on outskirts of village. NO results observed. BE. After bombing formation was fired on from PATERNO, approximately 15 bursts, fairly accurate HAA. BF. One aircraft received minor AA hole. BG. Obliques and verticals 12700 ft 210 I.A.S. 045°/060°. BH. (i) 15+ MT were dispersed moving NORTH-SOUTH road BRONTE-ADRANO. (ii) About 10 MT moving EAST and WEST RANDAZZO-TROINA Road. (iii) In siding at ADRANO stationary 6 Railway Trucks. NO engine seen. (iv) In BIANCAVILLA stationary 12 Railway Trucks. NO engine seen. LIST OF AIRCRAFT AND CREW. 108 O Capt STUART, Lt. PAWSON, F/Sgt. MORLEY, 2/Lt. SCHUMANN. (L) 951 V Capt SAUNDERS, Lt. BOOYSE, F/Sgt MOORE, Sgt. EARP-JONES. 181 T Lt. SIMPSON, Lt. HARLE, F/Sgts. ROBERTS & SHEPPERSON. 291 U Lt. HARGRAVE, Lt. REES, F/Sgts JENSEN (RCAF) & BEDFORD. 167 S Lt. SMYTH, Lt. MANNING, F/Sgt de PIESANIE, Sgt. LEISCHING. 221 Y Lt. RICHARDS, Lt. de CONNICK, F/Sgt. ROBERTSE, Sgt. McGRINDLE. 226 H Capt ORD, Lt. HODGES, F/Sgts. WALKER & DEVENISH. 341 L Lt. WILLNOTT, Lt. BORCHERDS, F/Sgts. LOOTS & WALBRIDGE (RAF) 271 F Lt. GUARD, Lt. WEBBER, F/Sgt. GREEN, 2/Lt. de VILLIERS. 136 M Lt. DUGMORE, Lt. MASTERS, F/Sgt. MAASDORP, F/Sgt. ROGERS. 179 A Lt. FROST, Lt. WHITE, F/Sgt. CARTER, Sgt. ALLAN. 195 G Lt. WOOD, Lt. NEL, F/Sgt. JAMES, Sgt. BUCHLER.

1943-07-23

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded * hrs LT: hours Local Time. * ft: feet. * GP: General Purpose (bombs). * Dets: Detonators. * HAA / AA: Heavy Anti-Aircraft / Anti-Aircraft artillery. * I.A.S.: Indicated Air Speed. * MT: Motor Transport. * RCAF: Royal Canadian Air Force. * RAF: Royal Air Force. * (L): Leader of formation. Personnel and Formation Observations * Formation Leadership: The formation of 12 Baltimores was led by Captain Stuart in aircraft 108 O. This crew, including Lieutenant Pawson, was among the most experienced in 21 Squadron, having transitioned from the high-risk solo nocturnal "intruder" missions earlier in July to leading major daylight strikes. * Casualties and Damage: Despite "fairly accurate" Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire from the Paternò sector, only one aircraft sustained minor damage from shrapnel. * Commonwealth Integration: The crew list reflects the multinational nature of the Mediterranean air war, specifically mentioning F/Sgt Jensen (Royal Canadian Air Force) and F/Sgt Walbridge (Royal Air Force) serving within the South African formation. Location and Historical Context * Randazzo, Sicily: A town on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. In July 1943, Randazzo (its modern name) was the most critical logistical bottleneck in Sicily. Almost all Axis supplies and reinforcements moving toward the eastern front had to pass through this junction. * Linguaglossa: The main road targeted by the bombers led to Linguaglossa, a town further east that served as a secondary supply artery for the "Etna Line" defenses. * Strategic Interdiction: The report provides detailed intelligence on stationary rail infrastructure in Adrano and Biancavilla. The sighting of 18 stationary railway trucks without engines suggests the effectiveness of Allied air superiority in paralyzing the Sicilian rail network. * Operation HUSKY Momentum: Flown on July 23, 1943 (D+13), this mission illustrates the shift in Allied tactics toward "isolating the battlefield". By striking the Randazzo-Linguaglossa corridor, 21 Squadron supported the British 8th Army's push toward Catania by denying the German forces the ability to reinforce their crumbling southern front. The Martin Baltimore * The formation utilized a mix of Baltimore Mk III and Mk IIIA aircraft. This daylight mission at 12,700 feet at a speed of 210 mph showcases the Baltimore's transition to a traditional medium bomber role following the squadron's move to Hal Far, Malta. 102 The date written in the header of the postagram on target file 276-1__102.jpg is 24 July 43.