Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 7 Jul 43
P O S T A G R A M.W. Diary27To : HQ.RAF.ME.From : SIO 21 SQUADRON.SAAF.Serial No : 21S/328.Date : 7 Jul 43.OPREP NO. 328 for period ending 1800 hrs 7 JUL 43.A. SCIACCA LG.B. 1 Mk III and 1 Mk IIIA BALTIMORES.C. (i) Level bombing : (ii) 10/11000 ft : (iii) 0407/0412 hrs LT.D. (i) 12 x 250 GP (Rods) 43 Det : (ii) Nil.(iii) 3 in long stick short SE of LG., 3 in long stick considered across LG., 6 in salvo - Jettison - over target area as per ETA gauged from sight of coast EAST of SCIACCA TOWN. Results NOT observed. One fire near LG on arrival - small fires from incendiaries. LG NOT identified.E.F. Nil. G. Unknown.H. (1) 0315 hrs LT. : (ii) 5 hrs 45 mins.J. Visibility bad. Dense haze. Cirro-Cumulus over SICILY base 15000 ft.target.K. Spasmodic HAA from LG area. 1 HAA gun on coast on turn off from target.3/4 searchlights in target area, fairly accurate, one white, rest blue.Comm: 1.23 hrs.TOO 1800 hrs 7 Jul 43.(Signature: J. S. Besson) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- HQ.RAF.ME
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- LG
- Landing Ground.
- Mk
- Mark (referring to the aircraft version).
- GP
- General Purpose (bombs).
- Det
- Detonator.
- SE
- South-East.
- ETA
- Estimated Time of Arrival.
- HAA
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:
ft: feet.
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
Observations about Individuals Mentioned:
Information about the Location:
Coast East of Sciacca Town: Used as a navigational landmark to help the crews calculate their run-in to the airfield amidst the poor visibility.
Historical Theatre Context: