Operation

BA : Create Road Block B250235 - 252232 - (ANTRODOCO) BB : 1158 A Hrs. BC : Medium level bombing - 330º /13500' 24 x 500 M.C. 47 Dets 28 Pistols 36 x 250 G.P. " " " " BD : Target well identified. Most bombs fell across Rd ANTRODOCO-RIETI with direct hit on and near misses on RR, and into S.W. corner of village. One explosion caused. One report states direct hits on RR and Rd ANTRODOCO-AQUILA, half mile S.E. of village BE : 50/60 bursts H/A/A inaccurate from AQUILA (B5016) area - 5 flak seen near to large hospital, B4818 BF : NIL BG : Verticals of bombs bursts only BH : Large hospital B4818 20 + MET moving EAST on Road ANTRODOCO - AQUILA 11 MET moving NORTH of ANTRODOCO 10 + MET moving North B9760 8 MET moving EAST B8343 Scattered MET elsewhere AQUILA aerodrome in good condition, grass surface, 3 unidentified A/C in S.E. corner One large Biplane on aerodrome N.E. TORTORELLA STAZ (B9371) AIRCRAFT AND CREW LIST. 437H11 MAJ. ORD LT HODGES F/SGT WALKER F/SGT DEVENISH 341L LT WILLMOTT LT BORCHERDS F/SGT LOOTS F/SGT WALBRIDGE 467D LT LONGMORE LT KENDALL F/SGT THEUNISSEN A/SGT MACKAY XXXX P/O SMALLMAN 586B CAPT SAUNDERS LT POTGIETER A/SGT EARP-JONES 441F LT FROST LT NEL F/SGT CARTER A/SGT ALLEN 426J LT MURMAN LT WALTERS F/SGT ODENDAAL A/SGT STEWART 356Z MAJ. STUART LT PAWSON F/SGT FREESTONE LT HALL 181Y MAJ. GOULL LT ROSE F. F/SGT PERKINS F/SGT VAN ROOYEN 181T LT BENNETT LT HARLE F/SGT STRYDOM P/O GILDEN 445U LT RICHARDS LT DE CONNICK F/SGT ROBERTSE A/SGT MCCRINDLE 167P CAPT DIEU P/O EDMEADES F/SGT OSWALD A/SGT JENKINSON 383W LT GREDER LT HANNING F/SGT GREYLING A/SGT LEISCHING

1943-11-01

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes Expanded Abbreviations * BA / BB / BC / BD / BE / BF / BG / BH: Standardized Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) reporting codes for Target, Time, Weaponry/Course, Narrative, Enemy Opposition, Losses, Photography, and General Observations. * M.C. / G.P.: Medium Capacity / General Purpose (bomb types). * Dets / Pistols: Detonators and mechanical firing mechanisms. * Rd / RR: Road / Railroad. * H/A/A: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak). * A/C: Aircraft. * MET: Motor Enemy Transport. * STAZ: Stazione (Station). * MAJ / CAPT / LT / 2/LT / P/O: Major / Captain / Lieutenant / Second Lieutenant / Pilot Officer. * F/SGT / A/SGT: Flight Sergeant / Acting Sergeant. Observations on Individuals * Major Ord: Acted as the Formation Leader in aircraft 437H11. Ord was a primary tactical leader during the squadron's transition into the Foggia complex, tasked with coordinating these deep-strike interdiction missions. * Major Stuart: Leading a sub-formation in aircraft 356Z. Stuart would later assume command of the squadron following the tragic loss of Lt. Col. Jack Britz just two days after this mission. * Captain Jean Dieu: A Belgian pilot serving with the South African Air Force, flying aircraft 167P. Dieu’s presence underscores the international composition of the SAAF's 21 Squadron during the Italian campaign. * Lieutenant H.C. Longmore: Flying in aircraft 467D. Longmore’s prolific operational record is a consistent feature of these war diaries. Location Information and Historical Context * Antrodoco (B250235): Located in the province of Rieti, Antrodoco was a vital bottleneck for German logistics. The town sits at the junction of the Via Salaria and the road to L'Aquila. * Modern Name: Today, Antrodoco is a picturesque historic town. The "Road Block" location remains a narrow, strategic passage through the Apennines. * L'Aquila (AQUILA): Mentioned as the source of significant heavy flak (50/60 bursts) and as a major logistical hub. The airfield observed (B5016) is today the L'Aquila-Preturo Airport. * Interdiction Tactics: The duty to "Create Road Block" specifically targeted the transport infrastructure. By striking the road and rail links simultaneously, the squadron aimed to isolate German front-line units and force heavy artillery and supply columns onto exposed secondary routes. * Reconnaissance Value: Section BH provides a detailed snapshot of German movements, identifying over 50 individual motor transport units and aircraft on the ground. The sighting of a "large Biplane" near Tortorella Station indicates the presence of Luftwaffe reconnaissance or transport units operating deep within the mountains. * Operational Weather: Despite 10/10 cloud over the mountains, the formation found "Clear over target" conditions at Antrodoco, allowing for a precise visual release of 60 bombs from 13,500 feet. 96 The verification date for the document 276-2__96.jpg is 1st Nov 43.