Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 15th July, 1944
APPENDIX "S"46ATO : HQ MAAF (attention 3rd SCORU)HQ MATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAFREF : 21S/761DATE : 15th July, 1944OPREP No. 761 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 14th July, 1944REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 105 FIRENZEA: 12 Baltimores airborne from PESCARA at 0847 hrs to attack FUEL DUMPSat TAVOLA (Q.640766, Q.627762, Q.634757). They set course fromCASTIGLIONE at 0950 with an escort of 8 Spitfires and bombed at 1019hrs from 14000' on a course of 190°. 1st box straddled target from.636758 to .632752, one explosion with black smoke observed. 2ndbox overshot slightly from .637764 to .637757, with one direct hiton a large building at .637757. H.A.A. moderate and accurate fromNorth of FIRENZE after bombing and also from BIBBIENA. Leader's A/choled and observer slightly wounded - landed safely at CASTIGLIONE.One A/c developed engine trouble shortly before crossing bomb line on return journeyand whilst coming back on his own was attacked by two fighters at 1115hrs in the vicinity of ACCIAIOLI (L.4065) height 11000'. Approximately15 hits were scored on centre portion of fuselage, damaging turret,wireless and inter-com, also severely damaging the serviceable engine.No markings observed on attacking A/C which were NOT painted exceptfor yellow wing tips. The Pilot examined his A/C after landing andextracted spent ammunition which proved to be .50 calibre. Theattacking A/C are presumed to be Mustangs. Baltimore escaped in cloudand made an emergency wheel up landing at TORTORELLA. A/C Cat II crewsafe. Remaining 10 A/c landed back at base by 1129 hrs. No cloud intarget area but 5 to 7/10th strata-cu. over mountains 12000' tops.B: (i) 5 Balts IV(ii) NIL(i) 7 Balts V(ii) NILC: NILD: (i) 12.55 hrs(ii) NIL(i) 17.40 hrs(ii) NILE: (i) 16000 x .301500 x .3033500 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(i) 22400 x .302100 x .3034900 x .50(ii) & (iii) NILF: (i) 10 x 500 M.C.15 x 250 G.P.(ii) As in (i)(iii) NIL(iv) NIL(i) 14 x 500 M.C.21 x 250 G.P.(ii) 14 x 50020 x 250(iii) 1 x 250(iv) NIL(Fused: 52 - 44 Nose)G: (i) NIL(ii) 1 Balt Mk IV Cat II(shot up by fighters)(i) NIL(ii) 1 Balt Mk V Cat II(Flak)H: Lieut. R. Gelb Observer in leader's A/C. Leg wounds, conditionbelieved NOT serious.J to V: NILF L : Major Meaker [Handwritten Note](2)47W: (i) 2 Balts Mk IV (i) 1 Balt Mk V (i) 1 Marauder Mk III(ii) NIL (ii) NIL (ii) NILX: (i) 0.40 Hrs (i) 1.30 Hrs (i) 1.00 Hrs(ii) NIL (ii) NIL (ii) NILY & Z: NIL[Signature] Hallick Capt.S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- MAAF
- Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit.
- MATAF
- Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.
- SAOA
- Senior Air Officer Administration.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- H.A.A
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- Cat II
- Category II Damage (Major damage requiring repair at a depot or write-off).
- Balts
- Martin Baltimore light bombers.
- NIL
- None / Zero. 49 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 15th July, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (Appendix "T") labeled 48 in the top right corner.
Friendly Fire Incident (The "Mustang" Attack):
Casualties:
Flight Leadership:
Geographic Locations:
Abbreviations:
Document Context and Structure:
Operational Statistics (Conversion Progress):
The Diarist (Capt. Hallick):
Historical Context (The Foggia Complex):
Abbreviations Expanded: