Sortie Report (Form 541)
BA: CROTONE MAIN L/G (Z6647) alternative RD JUNC. MARINA DI CATANZARO (Z2628)BB: I532 Hrs LTBC: Medium Level Bombing Attack from II,000 feet, Course 300º24 x 500lb. G.P. 47 Dets. 28 Pistols24 x 500lb. M.C. " " " " " "BD: L/G well straddled from NORTH of S.E. corner into buildings on Western side - direct hit on long building running WEST to EAST approximately 50 yards off L/G. Near misses other buildings. L/G well cratered throughout central section.BE: NIL. I s/e fighter unidentified 4000 feet below formation on N.E. courseBF: NIL.BG: I Vertical, several Obliques.BH: Target well hit by other formations. One large fire visible 30 miles in CATANZARO area. Another I0 miles NORTH of MARINA DI CATANZARO. One vessel I00/I50 feet in bay between C.CIMITI and C.COLONNE taking violent evasive action - long wake. 5 S/E aircraft in S.W corner L/G, I0 S/E and I T/E aircraft halfway up WEST side just off runway. NOTHING seen in CROTONE HARBOUR.AIRCRAFT AND CREW LIST.95IV MAJ. JANDRELL. LT. CHRISTIE. 2/LTs VILJOEN & LE ROUX27IF LT. BENNETT. LT. HARLE. F/S. STRYDOM. P/O GILDENI95G LT. MURMAN. LT. WALTERS. F/S. ODENDAAL. A/S STEWART586B CAPT. SAUNDERS. LT. BOOYSE. F/S. MOORE. SGT. EARP-JONESI79A LT. ASKEW. LT. LAMBERT. F/S.GELDENHUYS. SGT. CRAWHALL290C LT. LONGMORE. LT. KENDALL. F/S. THEUNISSEN. SGT. MACKAY22IY LT. EATON. LT. GOULD. SGT. FREESTONE. F/S. VAN ROOYAN2400 LT. DUGMORE. LT. MASTERS. 2/LT. MAASDORP. F/S. ROGERS29IU LT. HARGRAVES. LT. REES. SGT. JANSEN. F/S. BEDFORD356Z LT/COL. BRITZ D.F.C. P/O SMALLMAN. 2/LTs HARRISON & PICKUP9I6K CAPT. DIEU. P/O. EDMEADES. F/S. OSWALD. 2/LT SHAWI8IT LT. RICHARDS. LT. DECONNICK. F/S. ROBERTSE. SGT. MCGRINDLE.
Transcriber's Notes
- L/G
- Landing Ground (Airfield).
- RD JUNC
- Road Junction.
- Hrs LT
- Hours Local Time.
- G.P
- General Purpose (bombs).
- Dets
- Detonators.
- M.C
- Medium Capacity (bombs).
- F/S
- Flight Sergeant. Personnel and Command Observations
- A/S
- Air Sergeant.
- D.F.C
- Distinguished Flying Cross.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
Marina di Catanzaro: The alternative target was a road junction at the coastal town now known as Catanzaro Lido.