| TORTORELLA |

SORTIE REPORT (Part A) R.A.F. Form 441 A. A 18 | [Header Columns] | [Content] | |---|---| | Sortie No. | 1 | | Oprep. Ref. No. | 503 | | Date | 3 Jan 44 | | Squadron | 21 SAAF | | Type of Aircraft | 12 Baltimores 1 Mk 3, 2 Mk. 3A, 9 Mk. 4 | | Aircraft No. | See over | | Aircraft Letter | See over | | Captain | MAJOR SMIT | | Crew | CAPT CARTER | | Formation Leader | [Blank] | | Time Up | 1047 A Hrs 1st a/c | | Time Down | 1310 A hrs last aircraft | | Total Time | 27.00 Hrs | | Aerodrome or L.G. | TORTORELLA | | State of Cloud | Cu ever sea. Clear over target | |---|---| | Amount of Cloud | 2/10 | | Base of Cloud | 4000' | | Visibility | 30/40 miles | | General Weather | Good | | Map or Chart Reference | Europe 1:500,000 NE42/14 TARGET CHART No. 3/39(1) SIBENIK HARBOUR | |---|---| | Task or Duty | SHIPPING (if any) or Docks - SIBENIK (YUGO-SLAVIA) | |---|---| | Time | Height | Place | Narrative | |---|---|---|---| | 1047 | | BASE | A/B | | 1136 | 5000 | TERMOLI | S/C TARGET | | 1206 | 11000 | TARGET | Bombs dropped | | 1239 | | BASE | Landed | | 1310 | | | Last aircraft landed | [Signature Block] (Signed) [Signature unreadable - possibly "Lt Thompson"?] Lt for Capt. S.I.O. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. PART B (on reverse) to be completed according to relevant pro-forma in H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. Instruction 34. HQP/1,500,000/4-42 P.T.O.

1944-01-03 | TORTORELLA |

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Sortie Report Format (Form 441 A): This is the first raw "Sortie Report" document encountered in this batch, distinct from the narrative "War Diary" entries transcribed previously. It provides the specific technical data for the mission described in the War Diary on January 3rd, 1944 (Sortie Report No. 503). * Mission Details (Sibenik): This report confirms the details of the raid on Šibenik (Croatia). * Target: "SHIPPING (if any) or Docks - SIBENIK". * Map Reference: "Europe 1:500,000 NE42/14" and "TARGET CHART No. 3/39(1) SIBENIK HARBOUR". These specific chart references were vital for navigation and target identification. * Flight Profile: * Take-off: 10:47 ("Time Up"). * Route: The flight path went via Termoli (on the Italian coast) at 11:36, setting course ("S/C") for the target across the Adriatic. * Attack: Bombing occurred at 12:06 at an altitude of 11,000 feet. * Return: Landed back at base (Tortorella) starting at 12:39, with the last aircraft down by 13:10. * Aircraft Mix: The report specifies the composition of the 12-plane formation: "1 Mk 3, 2 Mk. 3A, 9 Mk. 4". This shows the squadron was operating a mixed fleet of Martin Baltimore variants. The Mark IV (Mk 4) was the definitive version with a power-operated dorsal turret, while the older Mark III and IIIA versions were still in service, illustrating the logistical reality of keeping a squadron flying with whatever airframes were serviceable. * Key Personnel: * Major Smit: Listed as "Captain" (likely Mission Commander/Flight Leader). This aligns with the war diary entry from December 4th, 1943, noting the popular promotion of Capt. A.C. Smit to Major. * Capt. Carter: Listed as "Crew" (likely Lead Observer/Navigator). * S.I.O. (Squadron Intelligence Officer): The document is signed by a Lieutenant "for Capt." (likely acting for Capt. Bester, the IO mentioned in the Jan 1st diary entry). * Weather: "Cu over sea" (Cumulus clouds) but "Clear over target," which allowed for the successful visual bombing described in the diary. 18 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is the reverse side/continuation of the Sortie Report for January 3rd, 1944 (Sortie No. 503). While the date is not explicitly in the header on this side, the content (Target: Sibenik, Crew List matches the era) links it directly to the previous file.