Operation

APPENDIX "EE" 346 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/733 DATE : 23rd June, 1944 OPREP No. 733 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 23rd June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 109 PESARO 12 Baltimores airborne at 0935 to bomb CATTOLICA R.R. BRIDGE (R972873). Attack took place at 1050 hrs from 12000' on a course of 270°. First box pattern fell to the right of the bridge from R971876 to R967878 with direct hits on railway line and buildings at R967878. Second box straddled bridge with a short stick from R974873 to R971873 with direct hit on bridge and on railway line on either side of bridge. No enemy opposition. Weather clear in target area. 4 Spitfires close escort was provided. All A/c landed by 1143 hrs. B: (i) 7 Balts Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 5 Balts Mk V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 15.05 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 12.55 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 28 x 500 M.C. (ii) as in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 20 x 500 M.C. (ii) as in (i) (iii) (iv) NIL (Fused: 36 - 27 Nose, 36 - 30 Tail) to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Balt. Mk.III. (ii) NIL (i) 2 Balt. Mk.V (ii) NIL (i) 2 Marauder Mk.III. (ii) NIL X: (i) 4.00 Hrs. (ii) NIL (i) 0.45 Hrs. (ii) NIL (i) 2.30 Hrs. (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL FL Capt Adam. Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-23

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target: Cattolica (Final Interdiction): * Strategic Persistence: This mission marks yet another attack on the "CATTOLICA R.R. [Railroad] BRIDGE (R972873)". The bridge had been struck on June 9th and June 22nd. The need to hit it again on June 23rd underscores the fierce battle of logistics; as quickly as the Allies bombed these bridges, German engineers repaired them or built bypasses. * Precision Success: The report claims significant success: "Second box straddled bridge... with direct hit on bridge and on railway line on either side.". A "straddle" with direct hits was the ideal outcome, ensuring the structure was compromised and the track alignment destroyed. The first box, while missing the bridge slightly to the right, still managed "direct hits on railway line and buildings," contributing to the choke point's destruction. * Non-Operational Activity (Transit Flights): * The Marauders Depart: The two "Marauder Mk.III" aircraft that had been logged in previous days (see Files 47, 51, 55) appear again, flying for "2.30 Hrs.". Given the squadron was preparing to move base to Pescara the next day (see File 56), these aircraft likely ferried advance personnel or equipment to the new site, or finally departed for their home unit. * Long-Range Baltimore: A "Balt. Mk.III" logged a "4.00 Hrs" flight. As with the previous day's report, this indicates a long-distance ferry flight, possibly moving key ground crew or administrative staff to Pescara ahead of the main convoy. * Ordnance Fusing: * Standard Dual Fusing: Unlike the previous mission which used tail fuses only, this loadout returned to dual fusing: "Fused: 36 - 27 Nose, 36 - 30 Tail.". This configuration ensured detonation on impact, suitable for destroying the bridge structure and the rail lines on the embankments. * Leadership: * Capt. Adam: The mission was led by Capt. Adam (Flight Leader). Captain Adam is a less frequent flight leader compared to Majors Dalling, Jandrell, and De Wet, suggesting the squadron was rotating leadership duties or giving experience to junior officers as the senior command prepared for the unit's relocation. * Abbreviations: * R.R.: Railroad. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * A/c: Aircraft. * Mk.: Mark (Model). 58 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 27th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 734) labeled 347 in the top right corner.