Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 1st May 1944
APPENDIX "A"231TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAFREF : 21S/651DATE : 1st May 1944OPREP No.651 for the period ending 2100 Hrs on 1/5/44REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 146 & 14712 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1435 Hrs to attack a FACTORY atPOPOLI (N.W. of POPOLI). After R/V with 12 Baltimores of 223 Sqdn over base formationset course at 1455 Hrs and the two boxes bombed line astern at 1535 Hrsfrom 13500' on a course of 360°. Pattern of first box commenced incentre of target among main cluster of buildings. Second box marked andcontinued across river with few near misses on two bridges. All bombs ofone a/c hung-up - jettisoned safe in sea at J0780. About 5 puffs H/Ainaccurate from N.W. of target. Last a/c down by 1645 Hrs. NO fighterescort or area cover. Weather enroute 4/10 - 9/10 at 15000'. Target areaclear and visibility good.B: (i) 9 Balts 1V.(ii) NIL(i) 6 Balts V(ii) NILC: NILD: (i) 13.00 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 13.00 Hrs(ii) NILE: (i) 19200 x .301800 x .3034200 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(i) 19200 x .301800 x .3034200 x .50(ii) & (iii) NILF: (i) 12 x 500 MC18 x 250 GP(ii) as above(iii) & (iv) NIL(i) 12 x 500 MC18 x 250 GP(ii) 10 x 500 MC15 x 250 GP(iii) 2 x 500 MC3 x 250 GP(iv) NIL(FUSES: 36 Bombs 49 Det. 27 Pist NOSE: 49 Det, 28 Pist TAIL12 Bombs 6 & 12 Hours Delay. 52 Det 37 Pist TAIL.G to Z: NILS.L. BoshoffLt for Capt.SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- R/V
- Rendezvous.
- H/A
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft (Flak).
- MC
- Medium Capacity (High Explosive bomb).
- GP
- General Purpose (bomb).
- Det
- Detonator.
- Pist
- Pistol (firing mechanism of the fuse).
Target Analysis (Popoli Chemical Works):
Tactical Execution:
Ordnance and Fusing:
Abbreviations: