Operation

APPENDIX "P" 199 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/632 DATE : 16th April 1944 OPREP No.632 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 15/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 110 SENIGALLIA 12 Baltimores off by 1356 Hrs from BIFERNO L/G with a mixed load of 6 & 12 Hr delay and instantaneous 500 lb bombs to attack FANO M/Yds (..9373). With 223 Sqdn following, formation picked up a close escort of 12 Spitfires at NE PENNA POINT and set course over sea at 1434 Hrs 21 Sqdn attacked in two boxes (2nd box astern and slightly to right) at 1535 Hrs from 10,000' on a course of 150°. First box undershot slightly starting on coast N.E. of RR Station and finishing into the Northern portion of M/Yds. Second box parallel and slightly to the EAST of first 1st box carrying well into centre portion of M/Yds. Some direct hits on track and on a building on Western edge of M/Yds. Slight H/A/A and moderate L/A/A from target area, both inaccurate. Visibility fair, 7/10 high cloud target area. All a/c landed by 1635 Hrs B: (i) 8 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 4 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 21.20 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 10.40 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 32 x 500 MC (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC (ii) 12 x 500 MC (iii) 4 x 500MC (iv) NIL 29 Fused 49 Det 27 Pist NOSE 49 Det 28 Pist TAIL 3 Fused 52 Det 37 Pist TAIL (6 Hours Delay) 3 Fused 52 Det 37 Pist TAIL (12 Hours Delay) G to V: NIL W: (i) 2 Mk.111. 1 Mk.1V. (ii) NIL X: (i) 2.55 Hrs. 1.00 Hr. (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL (Signature illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.