Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Took off
- 1555 hrs
To : SCOR OFFICER AHQ MALTA.HQ RAF ME. (ops records)HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SIO. TBF.From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON ADV SAAF.Ref : 21 Sqdn/354OPREP NO. 354 for period ending 1800 hrs 27 JULY 43.REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12.A. Eleven Baltimores took off at 1555 hrs LT and attacked MILAZZO RAILWAY STATION at 1721 hrs LT from 13500 ft on a course 345°. Bombs burst in the target area and buildings were hit starting one large fire. Smoke seen 45 miles after leaving target. Near miss on flying boat in the bay and on harbour buildings. Fairly accurate, moderate to intense HAA from headland and EAST of station. Visibility 10 miles. Weather good.B. 11 Baltimores (6 MK 3A and 5 MK 3)C. NIL.D. 29 hrs 20 mins.E. (i) 6 MK 3A: 19200 x .30, 4200 x .5, 1800 x .303.5 MK 3 : 16000 x .30, 11500 x .303.(ii)(iii) NIL.F. (i) 6 MK 3A: 36 x 250 GP 47 Det 27 Pistol Nose fused.5 MK 3 : 30 x 250 GP 47 Det 27 Pistol Nose fused.(ii) as in (i) (iii)(iv) NIL.G. (i)(ii) NIL (iii) FA 181 (Mk.3) Cat I by HAA.H to Z NIL.(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- AHQ
- Air Headquarters.
- 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.
- ADV
- Advanced (Headquarters).
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- HAA
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft artillery.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
RAF ME (ops records): Royal Air Force Middle East (Operations Records).
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
ft: feet.
Milazzo (Millazzo) Railway Station, Sicily: A vital logistical bottleneck on the northern coast. By late July 1943, the railway through Milazzo was a primary artery for German forces retreating from the "Etna Line" toward the Messina straits.