Operation

APPENDIX "U" 204 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/636 DATE : 18th April 44 OPREP No.636 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 17/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 146 SULMONA 12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1335 Hrs to attack POPOLI RR STN After R/V with 223 Sqdn (leading) formation set course at 1406 Hrs without fighter escort. Formation carried out dummy run on 330° at 1430 Hrs when 2nd box bombed in error and overshot against mountain side beyond town. On second run up at 1435 Hrs leaders bombs hung-up, but 2nd Vic attacked and straddled target with direct hit on Railway and Stn building. Formation carried on to SULMONA where leaders bombs still hung- up but remaining two a/c of 1st Vic scored direct hit on railway. Leader eventually jettisoned 1 x 500 delay in sea at C9090; remaining three brought back to base. All a/c down by 1550 Hrs. Visibility poor in target area, 10/10 cloud above (base 15000'). NO enemy opposition B: (i) 8 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 4 Balts V (ii) NIL NIL D: (i) 18.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 9.00 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 32 x 500 MC (ii) 28 x 500 MC (iii) 1 x 500 MC (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL Fusing: 36, 49 - 27 NOSE 49 - 28 TAIL 12, 6 - 12 Hr delay 52 - 37 TAIL G to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Mk.1V. 2 Mk.111. (ii) NIL X: (i) 1.00 Hr. 3.35 Hrs. (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL. S.L. Boshoff Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.