Operation

APPENDIX "I" 314 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/709 DATE : 7th June, 1944 OPREP No. 709 for period ending 2100 hrs on the 6th June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 125 FERMO 12 Baltimore airborne from BIFERNO at 1527 hrs to attack PORTO SAN GIORGIO M/Yds (X836990). One A/c returned owing to starboard engine oil pressure failing, and at 1608 hrs crash landed at the end of the runway. A/c Cat II, no injury to crew. Due to excessive drift on run up leading box did a dummy run and bombed at 1639 hrs from 11000' on a course of 290°. Stick straddled Northern end of M/Yds from X837992 to X830994, majority of bombs amongst buildings on either side of R/R line, one possible hit on R/R line. Second box bombed on the first run at 1632 hrs from 10500' on a course of 320°. Overshoot from X836992 to X832998. Several direct hits on houses. Moderate inaccurate L.A.A from target area. 8/10th alto stratus in target area 12000' base, visibility hazy. All A/c landed by 1741 hrs. B: (i) 7 Balts Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 5 Balts Mk V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 12.40 hrs (ii) NIL (i) 10.00 hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 28 x 500 M.C. (ii) 24 x 500 M.C. (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 20 x 500 M.C. (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL 6 x 500 M.C. fused : 52 - 37 Tail (12 hrs delay) Remainder fused : 49 - 27 Nose, 36 - 28 Tail G to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Balt Mk IV (Cat II) (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL Y: (i) 1 Balt Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 00.40 Hrs (ii) NIL Z: NIL L Col Jandrell, D.F.C. Hallick Capt S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-06-07

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * D-Day Afternoon Raid: * Timeline: Although the report is dated June 7th, the header explicitly states it covers the period ending 2100 hrs on the 6th June, 1944. This confirms that while the Allies were securing the beachhead in Normandy, 21 Squadron was conducting its second raid of the day (taking off at 15:27 hrs) against targets in Italy. * Target: Porto San Giorgio is a coastal town in the Marche region. The target was the Marshalling Yards (M/Yds), a key node in the Adriatic railway line supplying the German front. * Operational Hazards (Mechanical & Environmental): * Engine Failure & Crash Landing: One Baltimore suffered a "starboard engine oil pressure failing" shortly after takeoff. The pilot managed to return to base but "crash landed at the end of the runway.". The aircraft was classified as "Cat II" (Category 2), meaning it suffered significant damage requiring depot-level repair, but was not a total write-off. Fortunately, there was "no injury to crew." * The "Dummy Run": The report highlights the difficulty of precision bombing in crosswinds. The leading box experienced "excessive drift on run up" and was forced to abort the first pass ("did a dummy run") to realign. They circled back and bombed 7 minutes after the second box, which had bombed on its first run. * Collateral Damage: The report candidly admits that the "majority of bombs [landed] amongst buildings on either side of R/R line" and notes "Several direct hits on houses.". This illustrates the tragic inaccuracy of WWII level bombing, where "straddling" a target often meant destroying the civilian infrastructure surrounding it. * Tactical Ordnance: * Delay Fuses: Once again, the loadout included "6 x 500 M.C. fused ... (12 hrs delay).". These bombs were intended to detonate long after the raid, disrupting rescue and repair efforts during the night. * Leadership: * Lt. Col. Jandrell: The handwritten signature "L Col Jandrell, D.F.C." at the bottom left (where the Flight Leader is usually listed) suggests the Squadron Commander personally led this troubled mission. * Abbreviations: * M/Yds: Marshalling Yards. * L.A.A.: Light Anti-Aircraft fire. * Cat II: Category 2 Damage (Repairable but serious). * A/c: Aircraft. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. 26 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is Appendix "J" to the War Diary, specifically Squadron Routine Orders No. 53/44. The document is dated 6th June, 1944 under the signature block of the Officer Commanding.