Operation

APPENDIX "LL" 356 TO: HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF. FROM: SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF. REF: 21S/738. DATE: 29th JUNE 1944. OPREP No. 740 FOR PERIOD ENDING 2100 Hrs. 29th. JUNE 1944. REF. MAP : ITALY 1-100,000 sheet 100 FORLI. A -. 12 Baltimores airborne at 1110 Hrs. from PESCARA Aerodrome to bomb CESENA Marshalling Yards (M.601075). Set course at 1130 Hrs. with a close escort of 6 Spitfires. Attack took place at 1226 Hrs. from 12000' on a course of 270°, in good visibility. First box straddled M/Yards from M.601077 to M.599077. Second box pattern fell from M.603075 to M.599075, straddling South-Eastern end of M/Yards. Numerous direct hits on station buildings and tracks from both boxes. L.A.A. from target area inaccurate. Two or three enemy fighters attacked second box from the rear during bombing run, damaging No. 6 and wounding straight gunner. One Baltimore returned fire, making no claims. Fighter escort engaged enemy A/C. Damaged Baltimore made a wheel landing at TORTORETO L/G. (B.9491) at 1310 Hrs. but A/C swung at the end of runway and tipped on its nose. Aircrew returned to base later. Straight Gunner admitted to Hospital, condition believed NOT serious. Remaining A/C. landed at base at 1357 Hrs. B -. (i) 7 Balt. (Mk iv) (ii) Nil. (i) 5 Balt. (Mkv). (ii) Nil. C -. (i) & (ii) Nil. D -. (i) 16.50 Hrs. (ii) Nil. (i) 12.30 Hrs. (ii) Nil. E -. (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) 30 x .50 (iii) Nil (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) Nil. (iii) Nil. F -. (i) 14 x 500 M.C. 21 x 250 G.P. (ii) as in (i) (iii) Nil. (iv) Nil. Fused: 52-44 Nose, 36-28 Tail, except 4 x 250 G.P. 52-37 Tail (6 & 12 Hre. delay.) (i) 10 x 500 M.C. 15 x 250 G.P. (ii) 8 x 500 M.C. 12 x 250 G.P. (iii) 2 x 500 M.C. 3 x 250 G.P. (hang up over target) (iv) Nil. G -. (i) Nil. (ii) 1 Balt. Mk. iv damaged by enemy fighter, Cat.ii. (i) & (ii) Nil. H -. Lt. van Niekerk Pilot, uninjured. Lt. Le Roux Observer, uninjured. WO.11 Hamilton Straight gunner, wounded. WO.1 Stals WOP. A/G. uninjured. J to V -. Nil. -2- W-. (i) 1 Balt.Mk.iii. (ii) Nil. (i) 1 Balt.Mk.iv. (ii) Nil. (i) 1 Marauder Mkiii. (ii) Nil. X-. (i) 2.00 Hrs. (ii) Nil. (i) 0.15 Hrs. (ii) Nil. (i) 1.00 Hr. (ii) Nil. Y & Z-. Nil. S.L. Boshoff Lt. Capt. S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

1944-06-29

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Rare Aerial Combat Encounter (Luftwaffe Interception): * The Incident: This report documents a significant and dangerous event: "Two or three enemy fighters attacked second box from the rear during bombing run". By June 1944, Allied air superiority in Italy was overwhelming, making Luftwaffe interceptions of bomber formations relatively rare. The fact that German fighters managed to engage the bombers during the bomb run (when the aircraft must fly straight and level, making them sitting ducks) indicates a bold and well-timed ambush. * Escort Reaction: The report notes, "Fighter escort engaged enemy A/C [Aircraft].". The 6 Spitfires provided as close escort earned their keep this day, driving off the attackers before they could down a bomber, though not before damage was done. * Casualties and Crash Landing: * The Damage: Aircraft No. 6 was hit, and the "straight gunner" (likely manning the dorsal turret or ventral gun) was "wounded.". * Emergency Landing: The damaged Baltimore couldn't make it back to Pescara. It made a forced "wheel landing at TORTORETO L/G [Landing Ground]." Tortoreto was a small forward airstrip south of the target. The landing was rough: the aircraft "swung at the end of runway and tipped on its nose," a common occurrence with nose-wheel aircraft like the Baltimore on rough fields. * The Crew: Section H identifies the crew of the stricken plane: * Pilot: Lt. van Niekerk (Uninjured). * Observer: Lt. Le Roux (Uninjured). * Straight Gunner: WO.II [Warrant Officer Class 2] Hamilton (Wounded). He was admitted to the hospital, though his condition was "believed NOT serious." * Wireless Operator/Air Gunner: WO.I Stals (Uninjured). * Target: Cesena (Gothic Line Supply): * Strategic Importance: The target was the "CESENA Marshalling Yards." Cesena is located on the Via Aemilia, a vital artery for German supplies moving southeast to the front lines. The "Numerous direct hits on station buildings and tracks" claimed would have created a significant bottleneck for German logistics. * Ordnance Issues: * "Hang Up": Section F notes a "hang up over target" for 2 x 500lb and 3 x 250lb bombs. A "hang up" occurred when the release mechanism failed, leaving live bombs stuck in the bay. This was incredibly dangerous, especially during the subsequent fighter attack and emergency landing, as a jarred bomb could detonate or fall through the doors unexpectedly. * Administrative Error: * Ref Number: The Reference number is listed as "21S/738" but the OPREP Number is "740." Since Sortie 738 was flown on June 28th (File 64), this is a clerical error by the typist using the previous day's template. * Abbreviations: * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * G.P.: General Purpose. * L.A.A.: Light Anti-Aircraft fire. * L/G: Landing Ground. * Cat.ii: Category 2 Damage (Repairable at unit or depot level). * WOP. A/G.: Wireless Operator / Air Gunner. 68 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is labeled 357 in the top right corner. It is a continuation page (marked "-2-") for the Operational Report dated 29th June, 1944 (see previous file 269-6_67.jpg for the main report). Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Document Context (The Missing Date): * Continuation Page: This document is the second page of OPREP No. 740, the first page of which (File 67) detailed the dramatic raid on the Cesena Marshalling Yards where the squadron was bounced by German fighters. This page strictly covers the non-combat flying statistics ("W" and "X" sections). * Non-Operational Flying Activity: * Marauder Logistics: The single "Marauder Mkiii" is listed again, flying for "1.00 Hr.". This visiting medium bomber had been a fixture in the squadron's logs during the move from Biferno to Pescara, likely acting as a heavy transport for equipment or personnel shuttling between the bases. * Test Flights: The "Balt.Mk.iv" flew for only "0.15 Hrs" (9 minutes). This extremely short duration is characteristic of a "test circuit"—a quick takeoff and landing to verify a specific repair (e.g., checking oil pressure or hydraulic function) before the aircraft is signed off for combat. * Ferry/Training: The "Balt.Mk.iii" (an older model) flew for "2.00 Hrs." This likely represents a ferry flight from the old base or a training flight for a new pilot getting accustomed to the area. * Intelligence Officer Staffing: * S.L. Boshoff: The signature block is interesting: it lists "S.L. Boshoff Lt." with "Capt." written underneath. This ambiguity suggests Boshoff was in the process of being promoted or was a Lieutenant "Acting Captain" to fill the role of Squadron Intelligence Officer (S.I.O.) while Captain Hallick was away or reassigned. * Abbreviations: * Mk: Mark (Model). * Hrs: Hours. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. 69 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 1st.July 1944. in the "Date" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 741) labeled APPENDIX "MM" (page number 358).