Operation

APPENDIX "Q" 45 TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ MATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/759 DATE : 13th July, 1944 OPREP No. 759 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 13th July, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 106 FIRENZE A: 12 Baltimores (one returned early with bombs owing to engine trouble) airborne from PESCARA at 0845 hrs to attack FUEL DUMPS and suspected HEADQUARTERS at TAVOLA (Q.640766, Q.627762, Q.634757). After R/V at CASTIGLIONE with 6 Spitfires, formation set course for target at 0952 hrs and bombed at 1015 hrs from 14000' on a course of 230°. First box dropped a stick from Q.635756 to Q.632756, scoring four direct hits on buildings, causing an explosion with red dust and smoke and a fire (brown smoke). Second box straddled Northern end of plantation from Q.635767 to Q.642768, smoke and dust persisting long after bombing. H.A.A. intense and accurate particularly from North of AREZZO and from PONTASSIEVE and BIBBIENA areas. Two A/c holed. All A/C landed at base by 1125 hrs. B: (i) 3 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 9 Balts V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 5.50 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 25.15 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 9600 x .30 900 x .303 2100 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 28800 x .30 2700 x .303 6300 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 6 x 500 M.C. 9 x 250 G.P. (ii) 4 x 500 6 x 250 (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 18 x 500 M.C. 27 x 250 G.P. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (52 fused : 52 - 44 Nose, 36 - 28 Tail 6 fused : 36 - 27 Nose, 36 - 28 Tail) G to Z: NIL F.L : Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-07-13

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Targeting Command Nodes (Tavola): * High-Value Target: The objective was a "FUEL DUMPS and suspected HEADQUARTERS at TAVOLA" near Prato (northwest of Florence). Targeting headquarters was part of the Allied strategy to disrupt German command and control (C2) as the front line fluidly moved north. * Results: The raid appears successful. The report notes "scoring four direct hits on buildings" and causing "an explosion with red dust and smoke and a fire (brown smoke).". Red dust often indicated pulverized brick from buildings, while brown/black smoke usually signified burning fuel or oil, confirming the intelligence about fuel dumps. * The Flak Corridor: * Intense Opposition: The route took the squadron through a hornets' nest of anti-aircraft fire. The report describes "H.A.A. [Heavy Anti-Aircraft] intense and accurate particularly from North of AREZZO and from PONTASSIEVE and BIBBIENA areas.". These locations guarded the key passes and rail lines through the Apennines. Despite the intensity, only "Two A/c [aircraft] holed," suggesting either good evasive tactics or a bit of luck. * Flight Leadership: * Commander in the Lead: The notation "F.L : Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C" indicates that the Squadron Commander himself, Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, led this mission personally. It was common for C.O.s to lead difficult or high-priority strikes to maintain morale and assess tactical effectiveness firsthand. * Flight Times: * Heavy Workload: Section D shows significant flight times for the day: 5.50 Hrs for the Mark IVs and 25.15 Hrs for the Mark Vs. This aggregate total represents the combined flight time of all aircraft on the mission (approx. 2.5 hours per plane for 12 aircraft). * Abbreviations: * R/V: Rendezvous. * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * G.P.: General Purpose. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer (Capt. Hallick). * F.L.: Flight Leader. * D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross. 46 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 14th July, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (Appendix "R") labeled 46 in the top right corner.