Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 29th JUNE 1944
APPENDIX "LL"356TO: 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 bombCESENA Marshalling Yards (M.601075). Set course at 1130 Hrs. with a closeescort of 6 Spitfires. Attack took place at 1226 Hrs. from 12000' on a courseof 270°, in good visibility. First box straddled M/Yards from M.601077 toM.599077. Second box pattern fell from M.603075 to M.599075, straddlingSouth-Eastern end of M/Yards. Numerous direct hits on station buildingsand tracks from both boxes. L.A.A. from target area inaccurate. Two or threeenemy 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 madea wheel landing at TORTORETO L/G. (B.9491) at 1310 Hrs. but A/C swung at theend 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 .302100 x .3034900 x .50(ii) 30 x .50(iii) Nil(i) 16000 x .301500 x .3033500 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 overtarget)(iv) Nil.G -. (i) Nil.(ii) 1 Balt. Mk. iv damaged byenemy 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.
Transcriber's Notes
- Hrs
- Hours.
- L.A.A
- Light Anti-Aircraft fire.
- L/G
- Landing Ground.
- Straight Gunner
- WO.II [Warrant Officer Class 2] Hamilton (Wounded). He was admitted to the hospital, though his condition was "believed NOT serious."
- Mk
- Mark (Model).
- M.C
- Medium Capacity (High Explosive).
- G.P
- General Purpose.
- Cat.ii
- Category 2 Damage (Repairable at unit or depot level).
- Pilot
- Lt. van Niekerk (Uninjured).
- Observer
- Lt. Le Roux (Uninjured).
Rare Aerial Combat Encounter (Luftwaffe Interception):
Casualties and Crash Landing:
Ordnance Issues:
Administrative Error:
Abbreviations:
Document Context (The Missing Date):
Non-Operational Flying Activity:
Intelligence Officer Staffing:
Abbreviations: