Operation

APPENDIX "Q" 248 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/667 DATE : 13th May, 1944 OPREP No. 667 for period ending 13.00 Hrs on the 12th May, 1944 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 160 CASSINO 12 Baltimores (1 returned early owing to electrical trouble) took off from BIFERNO L/G at 08.15 Hrs to attack gun positions West of PONTECORVO . They flew to target via Mignano and Pontecorvo. 1st box attacked position G.682201 from 12,900' at 09.23 on a course of 265°. Actual target was obscured by cloud and the leader had to estimate time of release. An undershoot occured from G.693201 to G.689201. 1D/H on building at G.692201. Second box attacked position G.662177 from 11,000' at 09.22 on a course of 270° Actual aim again obscured by cloud but the leading observer recognised target area and estimated time of release. Observation of results was difficult owing to cloud and smoke but stick is reported from G.675179 to G.665168. 8/10th to 9/10th alto stratus in target area 7,000' tops. No enemy opposition but intense HAA directed at formations of Bostons is reported from West of Cassino. All A/C landed back by 10.27 Hrs. B: (i) 7 Balts. Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 5 Balts. Mk V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 13.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 10.25 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 22,400 x .30 2,100 x .303 4,900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16,000 x .30 1,500 x .303 3,500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 14 x 500 M.C. 21 x 250 G.P. (ii) 12 x 500 M.C. 18 x 250 G.P. (iii) & (iv) NIL All bombs fused: (i) 10 x 500 M.C. 15 x 250 G.P. (ii) as in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL 52det 44Pist. Nose 49det 28Pist. Tail to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Balt. Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 0.40 Hrs (ii) NIL to Z: NIL Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. (Handwritten note): F.L. Major Job