Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 15 JUL 43
P O S T A G R A M.54To : 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.
Transcriber's Notes
- HQ.RAF.ME
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Control and Operational Research Unit.
- N.A.T.A.F
- Northwest African Tactical Air Force.
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- TBF
- Tactical Bomber Force.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- MT
- Motor Transport.
- S/L
- Searchlight.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
Fracto Cu and St.Cu.: Fractocumulus and Stratocumulus clouds.
Tactical and Mission Analysis:
Observations about Individuals:
Location and Historical Context: