Operation

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/613 DATE : 31st March 1944 OPREP No.613 for period ending 1100 Hrs on 31/3/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 141 CHIETI A: 12 Baltimores airborne by 0846 Hrs from BIFERNO to attack RR BRIDGE at C025498 (on coast near GUILIANOVA) Formation set course over sea at 0910 Hrs and attacked in two boxes line astern at 0935 Hrs from 10,000 ft on a course of 200 - 230°. Whole formation straddled road and rail bridges with short sticks from C025500 to 023497, main concentration between and either side of both bridges, with D.H. on both. Moderate inaccurate H/A/A from target area. Weather clear, visibility good. Four Spitfires close escort from base. All a/c down by 1040 Hrs. B: (i) 1 Balt 111A (ii) NIL (i) 10 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 1 Balt V (ii) NIL C: NIL. D: (i) 1.55 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 19.10 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 1.55 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 32000 x .30 3000 x .303 7000 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 20 x 500 MC 30 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (All fused: NOSE 47 Det 27 Pist TAIL 49 Det 28 Pist) G to Z: NIL S.L. Boshoff Lt. Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.