Operation

APPENDIX "FF" 349 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/736 DATE : 27th June, 1944 OPREP No. 736 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 26th June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 108 MERCATO SARACENO 11 Baltimeores off from BIFERNO at 0925 to attack SAN MARINO M/Yards at R753848. One A/c returned after 1.30 hrs after jettisoning bombs in sea near TERMOLI. After R/V with a close escort of 4 Spitfires, formation set course over sea at 1010 and bombed at 1105 from 13000' on a course of 210°. Target extremely difficult to identify on run-up, resulting in a late release and overshoot. Pattern commenced in centre of town and continued into open country beyond. No enemy opposition. Weather: clear on route and target area. All A/c down by 1215 hrs. B: (i) 4 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 7 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 9.45 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 19.45 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 16 x 500 M.C. (ii) 12 x 500 (iii) 4 x 500 (iv) NIL 38 fused: 52 - 44 Nose 36 - 28 Tail 6 fused: 52 - 37 Tail (12 hr delay) (i) 28 x 500 M.C. (ii) As above (iii) NIL (iv) NIL to V: NIL W: (i) 3 Balts I & II (ii) NIL (i) 9 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 7 Balts V (ii) NIL (i) 7 Marauders III (ii) NIL X: (i) 1.15 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 3.45 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 2.55 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 2.55 Hrs (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL Hallick Capt S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-27

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * The San Marino Incident (Diplomatic Controversy): * The Target: This sortie (No. 736) documents a historically significant and controversial event: the Allied bombing of the Republic of San Marino, a neutral microstate. The target listed is "SAN MARINO M/Yards [Marshalling Yards] at R753848.". * The Justification: Allied intelligence believed German Field Marshal Kesselring was violating San Marino's neutrality by using its rail lines to transport ammunition and supplies, and that German forces were sheltering within its borders. * The Execution Error: The report frankly admits a tactical failure with grave consequences: "Target extremely difficult to identify on run-up, resulting in a late release and overshoot. Pattern commenced in centre of town and continued into open country beyond.". * The Aftermath: Hitting the "centre of town" resulted in the deaths of 63 civilians and injury to many others. The San Marinese government vehemently denied hosting German forces and later demanded reparations from the British government. This document serves as primary evidence of the "late release" that caused the devastation in the city center. * Operational Logistics (The Move to Pescara): * Launch Point: Interestingly, the aircraft launched "from BIFERNO", despite the Movement Order (File 56) initiating the move to Pescara on June 24th. This suggests the flight crews and aircraft were the last elements to leave the old base, conducting one final combat mission from Biferno on June 26th before transferring. * Mass Relocation: Section W (Non-Operational Flying) records a massive amount of activity: "9 Balts IV," "7 Balts V," and "7 Marauders III" all logging flight times between 2.5 and 3.5 hours. This represents practically the entire operational fleet ferrying to the new base at Pescara immediately following the raid, or ferrying equipment and "B" Party personnel. * Ordnance (Area Denial): * Time-Delay Fuses: The loadout included "6 fused... (12 hr delay).". These bombs were designed not to explode on impact but to detonate 12 hours later. This tactic was used to terrorize repair crews and prevent the enemy from accessing the bombed rail yards (or in this case, the town rubble) for fear of unexploded ordnance. * Abbreviations: * M/Yards: Marshalling Yards (Rail). * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * R/V: Rendezvous. * A/c: Aircraft. * 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.