Operation

APPENDIX "O" 323 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/715 DATE : 11th June, 1944 OPREP No. 715 for the period ending 2100hrs on the 10th June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 110 SENIGALLIA 12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1558 hrs to attack a RAIL BRIDGE near FANO at S240715. Escorted by 6 Spitfires from PENNA POINT, formation set course via the sea and attacked in boxes, line astern at 1706 hrs on a course of 170°. Both boxes undershot, pattern commencing in sea and finishing in river bed about 100 yds short of objective. Target area clear and visibility good. No enemy opposition. All A/c back by 1820 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 14.30 hrs (ii) NIL (i) 14.30 hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL 45 x 500 fused : 49 - 27 Nose, 36 - 28 Tail 3 x 500 fused : 52 - 37 Tail (Delay) to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Balt IV (ii) NIL X: (i) 1.00 Hr (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF. F.L. Major de Wet.

1944-06-11

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target: Fano Rail Bridge (The "Undershot" Raid): * Strategic Context: The target was the "RAIL BRIDGE near FANO at S240715". Fano, located on the Adriatic coast north of Ancona, was a vital link in the coastal railway line supplying German forces. * Tactical Approach: The formation approached "via the sea" and attacked on a heading of 170° (almost due South), likely flying parallel to the coast or coming in from the water to avoid inland flak batteries. * The Miss: The report bluntly states: "Both boxes undershot, pattern commencing in sea and finishing in river bed about 100 yds short of objective.". The Fano bridge crosses the Metauro River; undershooting into the riverbed meant the bombs missed the structure entirely. This highlights the inherent difficulty of hitting a narrow bridge perpendicular to the flight path, especially when judging the drop point over water. * Leadership: * Major de Wet: The mission was led by F.L. [Flight Leader] Major de Wet. Despite the lack of success on this specific raid, his continued leadership of "maximum effort" formations (12 aircraft) underscores his seniority and experience during this intense operational period. * Abbreviations: * MAAF: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. * NATAF: Northwest African Tactical Air Force. * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit. * SAOA: Senior Air Officer Administration. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * OPREP: Operational Report. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * A/c: Aircraft. 35 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 12th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 716) labeled 324 in the top right corner.