Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 27th June, 1944
APPENDIX "FF"349TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAFREF : 21S/736DATE : 27th June, 1944OPREP No. 736 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 26th June, 1944REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 108 MERCATO SARACENO11 Baltimeores off from BIFERNO at 0925 to attack SAN MARINO M/Yardsat R753848. One A/c returned after 1.30 hrs after jettisoningbombs in sea near TERMOLI. After R/V with a close escort of 4Spitfires, formation set course over sea at 1010 and bombed at 1105from 13000' on a course of 210°. Target extremely difficult toidentify on run-up, resulting in a late release and overshoot.Pattern commenced in centre of town and continued into open countrybeyond. No enemy opposition. Weather: clear on route and targetarea. All A/c down by 1215 hrs.B: (i) 4 Balts IV(ii) NIL(i) 7 Balts V(ii) NILC: NILD: (i) 9.45 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 19.45 Hrs(ii) NILE: (i) 12800 x .301200 x .3032800 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(i) 22400 x .302100 x .3034900 x .50(ii) & (iii) NILF: (i) 16 x 500 M.C.(ii) 12 x 500(iii) 4 x 500(iv) NIL38 fused: 52 - 44 Nose 36 - 28 Tail6 fused: 52 - 37 Tail (12 hr delay)(i) 28 x 500 M.C.(ii) As above(iii) NIL(iv) NILto V: NILW: (i) 3 Balts I & II(ii) NIL(i) 9 Balts IV(ii) NIL(i) 7 Balts V(ii) NIL(i) 7 Marauders III(ii) NILX: (i) 1.15 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 3.45 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 2.55 Hrs(ii) NIL(i) 2.55 Hrs(ii) NILY & Z: NILHallick CaptS.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- M/Yards
- Marshalling Yards (Rail).
- A/c
- Aircraft.
- R/V
- Rendezvous.
- M.C
- Medium Capacity (High Explosive).
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer. 61 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is Appendix "GG" to the War Diary, specifically Squadron Routine Orders No. 59/44. The document is dated 26th June, 1944 under the signature block of the Officer Commanding.
The San Marino Incident (Diplomatic Controversy):
Operational Logistics (The Move to Pescara):
Ordnance (Area Denial):
Abbreviations: