Operation

TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/593 DATE : 18th March 1944 OPREP No.593 for period ending 21.00 Hrs on 17/3/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 159 FROSINONE A: 12 Baltimores detailed to bomb FROSINONE town (G462576). One a/c failed to take-off. The remaining 11 were airborne by 1215 Hrs and with 223 Sqdn leading set course from base at 1235 Hrs. The attack was carried out in Two boxes line astern from 13100' at 1307 Hrs on a course of 050°. A close pattern of bombs straddled town from G454377 to G459376 followed by columns of brown smoke and dust. One 250 lb bomb hung-up and was jettisoned at TRABACCO. On return the undercarriage of the 2nd a/c to land collapsed (NO personnel casualties) and this blocked the run-way. 9 a/c were diverted to CANNE L/G where all were down by 1430 Hrs returning to base later. Visibility and weather conditions good in target area but detailed results of bombing difficult to observe due to isolated patch of cloud over town at 10,000'. Enemy opposition NIL. 8 Spitfires provided area cover. B: (i) 8 Baltimores IV (ii) NIL (i) 3 Baltimores IIIA (ii) NIL C: NIL. D: (i) 16.30 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 6.30 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 9600 x .30 900 x .303 2100 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 16 x 500 MC 24 x 250 GP (ii) 15 x 500 MC 23 x 250 GP (iii) 1 x 500 MC 1 x 250 GP (iv) NIL (i) 6 x 500 MC 9 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL G: (1) NIL (ii) 1 Mk.IV (Cat.11) to V: NIL W: (i) 6 Balts IV. 3 Balts IIIA. (ii) NIL (i) 1.00 Hour .30 Minutes (ii) NIL Z: NIL Wahlin...? Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.