One direct hit on dug-in shelter; medium explosion with black

APPENDIX "J" 241 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/659 DATE : 5th May, 1944 OPREP No 659 for period ending 21.00 hrs on 5/5/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 137 Viterbo 12 Balts off by 13.20 hrs to carry out a repeat attack on an Ammo Dump at A630310 near Orte. With 223 Squadron leading, the two squadrons rendezvoused with a close escort of 18 Spitfires at Venafro and set course for target at 14.13 hrs. 21 Squadron bombed from 11,000 feet on a course of 290 degs at 14.51 hrs. First box's pattern slight undershoot across SE edge of target with bombs in target area. Second box bombed to left of first, starting short and finishing half-way in target. One direct hit on dug-in shelter; medium explosion with black smoke. All A/C down by 16.05 hrs. No enemy opposition. (i) 8 Balts IV (ii) NIL (1) 4 Balts V (11) NIL NIL (1) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (iii) & (iii) NIL (1) 16 x 500 MC 24 x 250 GP (ii) as above (iii) & (iv) NIL (1) 8 x 500 MC 12 x 250 GP (ii) as above (iii) & (iv) NIL FUSED: 36 det 28 pist Tail 49 det 27 pist Nose to V NIL (i) 1 Mk V (i) 1.15 hrs to Z NIL (ii) NIL (ii) NIL S.L. Boshoff ..........Lt for LtCol O.C. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. (Handwritten note): Major Dalling

1944-05-05

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Persistence Pays Off (The "Repeat Attack"): * Context: This mission (Sortie 659) was a "repeat attack" on the same target attempted that morning (Sortie 658): the Ammo Dump at A630310 near Orte. * Correction of Errors: Unlike the morning raid which suffered from a failed escort rendezvous and poor bombing accuracy (overshooting), this afternoon raid went according to plan. The formation successfully "rendezvoused with a close escort of 18 Spitfires at Venafro". This demonstrates the rapid learning cycle and operational flexibility of the Tactical Air Force; mistakes were identified and immediately rectified in the next sortie block. * Damage Assessment: * Improved Accuracy: While the morning raid overshot, this raid saw a "slight undershoot," but crucially, the bombs landed "in target area" or "finishing half-way in target". * Specific Destruction: The report confirms "One direct hit on dug-in shelter; medium explosion with black smoke". A "dug-in shelter" suggests a hardened bunker or revetted ammunition storage, making a direct hit particularly significant. The "black smoke" again confirms the detonation of fuel or explosives. * Flight Leadership: * Major Dalling: The handwritten note identifies Major Dalling as the flight leader again (he also led the morning raid). Leading two high-stress combat missions in a single day—especially after the frustration of the first one—speaks to the intense pressure placed on squadron commanders during the pre-Diadem interdiction campaign. * Mechanical Attrition: * Abort: One aircraft (1 Mk V) returned early after 1.15 hrs. This flight time suggests the aircraft made it to the rendezvous or partway to the target before developing a fault, forcing it to turn back while the rest of the formation pressed on. * Abbreviations: * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * GP: General Purpose. * pist: Pistol (fuse). * det: Detonator. * O.C.: Officer Commanding. * SE: South East. 29 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 6th May, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 660) labeled APPENDIX "K" (page number 242), detailing the mission flown on May 6th, 1944.