Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 23 Feb 44
(page obscured on left) : H.Q. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) APPENDIX "N"(obscured) : H.Q. MATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) 85(obscured) : SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAFREF : 21S/560DATE : 23 Feb 44OPREP No.560 for the period ending 1355 A Hrs 22 Feb 44REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 156 LITTORIA(obscured) : 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO L/G from 1028 Hrs to bomb CAMPOLEONERR station (F877385). The formation in two boxes of six flew to rendezvouspoint with 12 Baltimores of 223 Sqdn (Mouth of VOLTURNO River) thencealong coast to target and back the same way. Attack took place at 1155in visibility impaired by haze. Bombing height 15000' course 110-130°Boxes bombed individually. First box dropped a short stick NORTH ofCAMPOLEONE RR station from F876389 to F880386. Second box bombed fromF878388 to F884385. Two direct hits on Rd at F883385. NO other resultsobserved. Heavy intense A/A on the whole inaccurate from target area.Most of the guns appeared to be along the Rd. LAKE ALBANO, VELLETRI andE. of CISTERNA. Black smoke but some red puffs reported. 2 a/c slightlyholed. Last a/c landed back to BIFERNO at 1301 Hrs. One a/c returned withfull bomb load owing to bomb doors failing to open (cause being investigated). 1 x 250 Hang-up.(obscured) (i) 12 Baltimores (2 Mk.3A, 10 Mk.4) (ii) NIL(obscured) NIL(obscured) (i) 2 Mk.3A, 4.50 Hrs. 10 Mk.4; 24.10 Hrs (ii) NIL(obscured) (i) 2 Mk.3A: 6400 x .30 10 Mk.4: 32000 x .30600 x .303 3000 x .3031400 x .50 7000 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(obscured) (i) 2 Mk.3A: 4 x 500 MC 49 Det 27 Pistol6 x 250 GP do do10 Mk.4 : 20 x 500 MC do do30 x 250 GP do do(ii) 22 x 500 MC 49 Det 27 Pistol32 x 250 GP do do(iii) & (iv) NIL(obscured) to Z: NIL(Signature) S.A. Boshoff Lt for Capt.SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Statistical Control & Operations Record Unit.
- MATAF
- Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.
- L/G
- Landing Ground.
- RR
- Railroad. 41 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'O'" Operational Report (OPREP). The date in the header is 24 Feb 44.
- S.A. Boshoff
- The report is signed by Lt. S.A. Boshoff, reinforcing his role as the acting intelligence officer managing the paperwork during the transition period.
First Mission from New Base:
Tactical Coordination:
Target (Campoleone Station):
Technical Failures:
Personnel:
Abbreviations: