Sortie Report (Form 541)
BA: Medium Level Recce and Bombing of M/T movements on roads area:-(1) CASERTA - BENEVENTO - AVELLINO - NAPLES(2) AVELLINO - O.1049 - VALLATA - N8073(3) AULETTA - EBOLI - O.1049 - AVIGLIANO(4) SAPRI - BRIENZA and SAPRI N.W. to BOMB LINEBB: 2306 Hrs LT to 0113 Hrs LTBC: Medium Level. Heights 7/11000 feet42 x 250 G.P. 43 Dets. 27 Pistols (red)6 x 250 jettisoned at T.3040 after aircraft unable to locate target.BD: Two aircraft were allotted to each area and roads were searched for movement. Bombs were dropped at the following points in the target area:- 6 x 250 across Rd and RR crossing SOUTH of LAGONEGRO. Approximately 100 MET were seen moving N.W. along road. 6 x 250 at 0.1326 on two lights on road. 6 x 250 in area T4065 & 0.3207 across small fires. Bombs caused heavy explosions and later three fires were seen by other Observers.12 x 250 along road WEST of SAPRI, direct hit on road6 x 250 aimed at moving MT area M80743 x 250 across RR and Rd at O.2218 on suspected M.T.3 x 250 on N.E. outskirts of POTENZA between town and Rail-roadBE: NIL.BF: NIL.BG: NIL.BH: Ships fired H/A/A at one a/c from 5 miles SOUTH of INARESCHXAircraft with light showing seen above ships(?) Dull red light on Beach WEST of SAPRI. Thirteen fires seen 10 miles NORTH of SALERNO. Ships turning at T.5050 at 2341 Hrs.AIRCRAFT AND CREW LIST.290C LT/COL. BRITZ. DFC. P/O SMALLMAN 2/LTs HARRISON & PICKUP951YY MAJOR. JANDRELL. LT CHRISTIE 2/LTs LE ROUX & VILJOEN226H CAPT. ORD LT HODGES F/S WALKER F/S DEVENISH256S CAPT. SMIT LT KAY 2/LTs PURDON & WRIGHT240D LT. DUGMORE LT MASTERS F/S MAASDORP F/S ROGERS221Y LT. HARGRAVES LT REES F/S JENSEN SGT VALENTINE271F LT. GUARD LT WEBBER 2/LTs TOMS & DE VILLIERS341L LT WILLMOT LT BORCHARDS F/S LOOTS F/S WALBRIDGE
Transcriber's Notes
- Recce
- Reconnaissance.
- Hrs LT
- Hours Local Time.
- G.P
- General Purpose bombs.
- Dets
- Detonators.
- H/A/A
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire.
- DFC
- Distinguished Flying Cross.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded