Operation

TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/735 DATE : 27th June, 1944 OPREP No. 735 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 25th June, 1944 A to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Baltimore Mk IV (ii) NIL X: (i) 0.50 Hrs (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-27

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * The Move Concludes (Pescara): * Administrative Lag: Like the previous report (No. 734), this document was issued on June 27th but covers the operational period ending June 25th. This 48-hour delay confirms the disruption caused by the squadron's physical relocation from Biferno to Pescara. The Orderly Room was likely packed in boxes on trucks during the covered period. * Operational Pause: The "NIL" entry under combat operations confirms the squadron remained non-operational on Sunday, June 25th. The focus was entirely on establishing the new camp and airfield facilities at Pescara to resume bombing operations against the Gothic Line. * Ferry Flights: * Straggler Aircraft: The single flight recorded—"1 Baltimore Mk IV" flying for "0.50 Hrs" (30 minutes)—was almost certainly a ferry flight. The flight time roughly corresponds to the short hop from the old base at Biferno (Campomarino) to the new base at Pescara. This aircraft likely carried the last of the rear-echelon personnel or essential equipment needed to make the new base operational. * Abbreviations: * MAAF: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. * NATAF: Northwest African Tactical Air Force. * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit. * SAOA: Senior Air Officer Administration. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * OPREP: Operational Report. * Mk: Mark (Model). * Hrs: Hours. 60 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 27th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 736) labeled APPENDIX "FF" (page number 349).