Operation

APPENDIX "AA" 258 TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/676 DATE : 17th May, 1944 OPREP No.676 for period ending 2100hrs on the 16th May, 1944 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 160 CASSINO 12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1634 to bomb Gun positions near ROCCASECCA. Attack took place at 1740 hrs. 1st box, briefed to attack gun positions at G763266, turned on target late and had to swerve to the left during bombing run to avoid the second box. Bombs fell at G770295 no results being claimed. Bombing height 11500' course 070°. The second box attacked gun positions at G734278 from 12000' on a course of 040°. Stick fell from G734278 to G736281 in a short pattern. No results observed. 5/10th cloud in target area 12000' tops. Intense H.A.A. from target area accurate. No enemy fighters. Area cover was provided. All A/c landed by 1842 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 11.15 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 11.00 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 184 x 40 lb G.P. (52 det 45 pist) 1 x 250 lb G.P. (52 det 44 pist Nose 49 det 28 pist Tail) (ii) 152 x 40 lb 1 x 250 G.P. (iii) 32 x 40 lb (iv) NIL (i) 192 x 40 lb G.P. (52 det 45 pist) (ii) 184 x 40 lb G.P. (iii) NIL (iv) NIL to Z: NIL Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. (Handwritten) F L Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C.

1944-05-17

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Formation Danger (Near-Collision): * The Incident: The report describes a harrowing moment of confusion over the target: "1st box... turned on target late and had to swerve to the left during bombing run to avoid the second box". * Implications: Flying in tight "box" formations (usually 6 aircraft) required precise timing. A late turn by the lead box put them on a collision course with the following box. Swerving during the bombing run (the most critical phase where stability is paramount) explains the poor bombing results ("no results being claimed") and the scattered bomb pattern (landing at G770295 vs. target G763266). This breakdown in formation discipline was highly dangerous, risking mid-air collisions amidst "Intense H.A.A." (Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire). * Battle for Roccasecca: * Context: The target remained "Gun positions near ROCCASECCA". By the afternoon of May 16th, the German 1st Parachute Division was fighting a desperate rearguard action around Roccasecca to allow other units to escape the Liri Valley encirclement. The 21 Squadron's mission was to suppress the artillery covering this retreat. * Ordnance: The mixed load of "40 lb G.P." (Fragmentation) and single "250 lb G.P." bombs per aircraft suggests a dual-purpose mission: suppressing the open gun crews with frag bombs while hoping the larger 250lb bombs might take out hardened gun pits or command bunkers. * Leadership: * Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C.: The handwritten note identifies the Flight Leader as "Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C.". As the Commanding Officer, leading a mission that experienced such a dangerous formation error would likely have resulted in a severe debriefing and "post-mortem" in the ops room upon landing to prevent recurrence. * Abbreviations: * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * G.P.: General Purpose (used here for both 40lb frag and 250lb HE). * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * pist: Pistol (fuse). * det: Detonator. * A/c: Aircraft. 47 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 46/44 dated 16th May, 1944 in the header section. It is labeled APPENDIX "BB" (page number 259).