| TORTORELLA |

SORTIE REPORT (Part A) R.A.F. Form 441 A. J 27 | [Header Columns] | [Content] | |---|---| | Sortie No. | 1 | | Oprep. Ref. No. | 515 | | Date | 14 Jan 44 | | Squadron | 21 SAAF | | Type of Aircraft | 12 Baltimores 4 Mk.3A, 8 Mk.4 | | Aircraft No. | 1 Mk.3A returned eary | | Aircraft Letter | See over | | Captain | LT/COL KOTZE | | Crew | CAPT CARTER | | | Formation Leader | | Time Up | 1106 A Hrs 1st aircraft | | Time Down | 1346 A Hrs last aircraft | | Total Time | 28.00 Hours | | Aerodrome or L.G. | TORTORELLA | | State of Cloud | St.Cu across coast and 10 miles inland. | |---|---| | Amount of Cloud | 9/10-10/10 small break over target | | Base of Cloud | 7000' | | Visibility | 5/10 miles | | General Weather | Hazy- Cu heads protruding later through St.Cu | | Map or Chart Reference | ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 141 CHIETI | |---|---| | Task or Duty | LORETA FACTORY AREA - E985256 | |---|---| | Time | Height | Place | Narrative | |---|---|---|---| | 1106 | | BASE | A/B | | 1147 | 10000 | PENNA PT. | Picked up fighter escort and 232 Squadron | | 1218 | 13000 | TARGET | Bombs dropped | | 1335 | | BASE | Landed | | 1346 | | | Last aircraft landed | [Signature Block] (Signed) [Signature unreadable - similar to "Lt Thompson"?] Lt for Capt SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. PART B (on reverse) to be completed according to relevant pro-forma in H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. Instruction 34. HQP/1,500,000/4-42 P.T.O.

1944-01-14 | TORTORELLA |

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Sortie Report 515 (Loreta Second Raid): This report details the second raid on the Loreto Factory Area (Abruzzo), following up on the raid from the previous day (Jan 13th, Sortie 514). The War Diary for Jan 14th (file 269-1__7.jpg) noted "visibility in the target area was poor and only in the South was there a small break in the clouds." This aligns perfectly with the weather report here describing "9/10-10/10" cloud with a "small break over target". * Coordinated Strike (232 Squadron): The narrative notes "Picked up fighter escort and 232 Squadron." This confirms a large-scale coordinated effort. No. 232 Squadron RAF was also operating Baltimores (and later Marauders), and combining formations increased the bombing density and provided mutual support. Flying in mixed formations required strict timing at the rendezvous point (Penna Point at 11:47). * Early Return: The "Aircraft No." section notes "1 Mk.3A returned eary" (early). This aircraft likely suffered a mechanical failure (engine or hydraulics) and had to abort before the target, a common occurrence with the aging Mk.3A airframes. * Command: Lt. Col. Kotzé (O.C.) led this major multi-squadron mission, again with Capt. Carter as his observer. Leading a combined force of 21 and 232 Squadrons plus fighter escort demonstrated the high level of responsibility placed on the 21 Squadron commander. * Target Coordinates: The coordinates "E985256" pinpoint the target area, confirmed as Sheet 141 CHIETI, placing it again near Loreto Aprutino. 35 Verification: Target File Verification: This document is the reverse side (Part B) of the Sortie Report for January 14th, 1944 (Sortie No. 515). Although there is no specific "Date" column on this side, the target "LORETA FACTORY AREA" matches the Part A document from the previous image (269-1__34.jpg) dated Jan 14, 1944.