Sortie Report (Form 541)
To: SCOR Officer AHQ MALTA.HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SIO. TBF.From: SIO. 21 SQUADRON. ADV. SAAF.Ref: 21 Sqdn/353.OPREP NO. 353 for period ending 1200 hours on 27th July 43.(REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 and TARGET CHART 2/107/NA)A. Off at 0908 hrs LT, attacked MILAZZO Harbour from 12200 ft at 1028 hrs on Course 120/165°. Landed 1150 hrs.One box started stick from SOUTH of Engine Sheds to Railroad. One stick hit Main road. One hit on Railroad. No. 2 box overshot Mole into sea. Moderate to intense HAA fairly accurate. Weather good. Visibility 5/10 miles.B. 12 Baltimores (7 Mk 3A and 5 Mk 3)C. NIL.D. 29 hours.E. (i) 7 Mk 3A: 22400 x .30, 4900 x .5, 2100 x .303.5 Mk 3 : 16000 x .30, 11500 x .303.(ii)(iii) NIL.F. (i) 7 Mk 3A : 42 x 250 GP 47 Det 27 Pistol (Nose fused)5 Mk 3 : 30 x 250 GP 47 Det 27 Pistol (Nose fused)(ii) as in (i)(iii)(iv) NIL.G. (i) NIL (ii) NIL (iii) AH 108 Mk 3 Hit by HAA and had to belly-land at Base. Damaged (Cat 2A), 1 Mk 3 and 4 Mk 3A minor damage HAA.H. 2/Lt. R.N. TOMS, wounded in right leg by HAA splinter (Aircraft AH 108)J to Z. NIL.(Signature: J.S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- SCOR Officer
- Section Control and Operational Research Officer.
- AHQ
- Air Headquarters.
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Control and Operational Research Unit.
- N.A.T.A.F
- Northwest African Tactical Air Force.
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- TBF
- Tactical Bomber Force.
- ADV
- Advanced (Headquarters).
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
ft: feet.
Flown on July 27, 1943 (D+17), this mission occurred as the Axis "Etna Line" began to buckle. With the fall of Palermo a few days earlier, Axis forces were increasingly focused on securing evacuation routes like Milazzo to prevent being trapped on the island.