Operation

P O S T A G R A M. 54 To : HQ.RAF.ME. HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU). N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU). SIO. TBF. From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF. Ref : 21S/340. Date : 15 JUL 43. OPREP NO. 340 for 24hrs ending 2100 hrs LT 15 JUL 43. OPERATION NO. - (REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12.) A. 7 Baltimores took off at 10 minute intervals from 2100 hrs to interrupt road communications as long as possible in area B8228-C3305-CALTANISETTA- along bombline to AGRIGENTO-B8228. If no likely target seen alternate target TERMINI HARBOUR. Aircraft were over target area 2149/2342 and all landed by 0120 hrs LT. Bombing height was 8000' and courses various. 15/17 MT seen at G8997 where earlier aircraft had dropped 6 bombs and started small fires but definite results NOT observed. Suspected movement at various points and NO hits established, but near misses claimed on cross-roads, bridges, and ship and mole identified in TERMINI HARBOUR. Incendiaries dropped when 250 GP bombs dropped and pamphlets widely dispersed in area. 4 bursts HAA inaccurate at H0195, slight inaccurate HAA CASTELVETRANO. LAA fairly accurate C.S. MARCO. One S/L CAMMARATA area and one S/L CASTELVETRANO, both inaccurate. Weather very good with scattered cloud 2/10 – 4/10 Fracto Cu and St.Cu. base 7000/11000' and top 3000'. Visibility good developing to hazy. B. 2 Baltimore Mk III 5 Baltimore Mk IIIA. C. NIL. NIL. D. 4 hrs 40 mins. 14 hrs 40 mins. E. (i) 6400 x .30, 4600 x .303 (i) 16000 x .30, 3500 x .50, 1500 x .303 (ii)(iii) NIL. (ii)(iii) NIL. F. (i) 12 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det. (i) 30 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det. 60 x 4 lb Incendiaries. 150 x 4 lb Incendiaries. 6 Flares Recce 4.5. No.4. 15 Flares Recce 4.5. No.4. (ii) as (i) (ii) 30 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det. (iii)(iv) NIL. 130 x 4 lb Incendiaries. 15 Flares Recce 4.5 No. 4. (iii)(iv) NIL. G.H.J. NIL. NIL. V. NIL. NIL. W. (1) 2 (ii) NIL. (i) 2 (ii) NIL. X. (1) 1.10 hrs (ii) NIL. (i) 2.00 hrs (ii) NIL. Y.Z. NIL. NIL. (Signature: G.W. Thompson) Lt. for Capt. SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.