Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 14 JUL 43
P O S T A G R A M.52To : HQ.RAF.ME.HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU).N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU).SIO. TBF.From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.Ref : 21 S/339.Date : 14 JUL 43.OPREP NO. 339 for period ending 2100 hrs on 14 JUL 43.OPERATION NO. -(REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12.)A. Seven aircraft took off from 2158 hrs LT to 2250 hrs LT at approximately 5 to 10 minute intervals. The target was the roads and any MT seen in areas B5228, C3305 and H0677. Bombs and incendiaries were dropped from 2307 hrs to 0028 hrs from 2500/5000’ above ground level. Last aircraft landed base 0145 hrs. Bombs straddled 10 MT and incendiaries started a fire at CALTANISETTA Village. Bomb bursts near 6 MT on the road near LEONFORTE and a stick of six straddled a cutting at 09055. One top gunner straffed a row of large MT at RAFFADALI and started a fire. Slight and inaccurate LAA from CALTANISETTA and one S/L from C3805. Weather good.B. Baltimores: 4 Mk IIIA and 3 Mk III.C. (i) (ii) NIL.D. 18 hrs 40 mins.E. (i) 4 Mk IIIA: 12800 x .30; 2800 x .5; 1200 x .303.3 Mk III : 9600 x .30; 6900 x .303.(ii) Mk IIIA : 250 x .5.(iii) NIL.F. (i) 4 Mk IIIA: 24 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods.60 x 4lb Incendiaries.6 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 6.16000 Pamphlets (Mussolini 28 Nov. 40).3 Mk III: 18 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods.90 x 4lb Incendiaries.6 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 6.12000 Pamphlets (Mussolini 28 Nov. 40).(ii) As in F(1). (iii) (iv) NIL.G. (i) (ii) (iii) NIL.H. NIL.J. NIL.V. (i) (ii) NIL.W. (i) 6 IIIA; 2 III; (ii) NIL.X. (i) IIIA 5.25 hrs. III 2 hrs; (ii) NIL.Y - Z. NIL.(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- HQ.RAF.ME
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Control and Operational Research Unit.
- N.A.T.A.F
- Northwest African Tactical Air Force.
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- TBF
- Tactical Bomber Force.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- MT
- Motor Transport.
- LAA
- Light Anti-Aircraft.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
Route and Tactical Observations:
Ordnance and Psychological Warfare:
Individuals Mentioned:
Location and Historical Context: