Operation

BA. AMMO & STORES AREA - H 274278 - 282271 - 282274 BB. 1010 A hrs. BC. Medium Level bombing: 23 x 500 MC 43 det 27 pistol. 36 x 250 GP (Rods) 43 det, 27 pistol. (1 x 500 MC 43 det 27 pistol hung up - brought to base) BD. Target identified by roads - covered on course of 260/270° from H285273 in fairly short sticks. Hits among buildings. 4 small fires seen. Direct hit and near misses on bend of road. Dummy run made because of cloud to EAST. (explosion stated by another squadron to be caused by 21 Squadron NOT observed by own crews). BE. 12/20 bursts HAA from CARPINONE area, 3 guns HAA reported H 2627 confirmed by 2 other reports as SW target area. Accurate height. Inaccurate direction. BF. NIL. BG. Obliques and verticals of bomb bursts only. BH. 4 MET stationary on road SE of village - otherwise NMS. 12 Squadron bombs patterned well - caused 2 pillars of blackish grey smoke to centre of Western portion of road fork (H280275). LIST OF AIRCRAFT AND CREW 356Z Major Stuart, Lt. Pawson, F/Sgt. Freestone, Lt. Hall (FL) 951YY Lts. Richards & de Connick, F/Sgt. Robbertse, Sgt. McCrindle. 445Y Lts. Hargrave & Rees, F/Sgt. Jensen & Valentine. 240O Capt. Dugmore, Lt. Masters, F/Sgts. Maasdorp & Rogers. (VL) 383W Lts. Greder & Rushforth, F/Sgt. Greyling, 2/Lt. Groenewald. 167P Capt. Dieu, P/O Edmeades, F/Sgt. Oswald, Sgt. Breedt. 437H Major Ord, Lt. Hodges, F/Sgt. Walker & Devenish (BL) 426J Lts. Frost & Horwitz, F/Sgt. Carter, Sgt. Allan 341L Lts. Willmot & Borcherds, F/Sgts Loots & Walbridge. 586B Capt. Saunders, Lt. Booyse, F/Sgt. Geldenhuys, Sgt. Earp-Jones (WL) 545A Lts. Longmore & Kendal, F/Sgt. Theunissen, Sgt. MacKay. 195G Lts. Murman & Walters, F/Sgt. Odendaal, Sgt. Stewart.

1943-10-26

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes * Expanded Abbreviations: * BA / BB / BC / BD / BE / BF / BG / BH: Standardized Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) reporting codes for Target, Time, Weapons, Narrative, Enemy Opposition, Own Losses, Photography, and General Observations. * AMMO: Ammunition. * MC / GP: Medium Capacity / General Purpose (bomb types). * Det / Pistol: Detonator and the mechanical firing mechanism (Pistol). * HAA: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak). * SW / SE: Southwest / Southeast. * MET: Motor Enemy Transport. * NMS: No Movements Seen. * Major / Capt. / Lt. / 2/Lt. / P/O: Major / Captain / Lieutenant / Second Lieutenant / Pilot Officer. * F/Sgt. / Sgt.: Flight Sergeant / Sergeant. * FL / VL / BL / WL: Flight Leader / Vice Leader / Box Leader / Wing Leader. * Observations on Individuals: * Major Charles Stuart: Acted as the Flight Leader (FL) in aircraft 356Z. Stuart was a mainstay of 21 Squadron leadership during the Italian campaign, frequently leading large-scale tactical raids. * Lieutenant B.F. Pawson: Stuart's observer. He is noted in previous squadron orders as an aircrew member who transitioned with the unit from Sicily to mainland Italy. * Captain Saunders: Leading the Wing (WL) in aircraft 586B. His crew includes Flight Sergeant Geldenhuys, a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner frequently mentioned in squadron records. * Major Ord and Captain Dugmore: Both served as sub-formation leaders (Box and Vice Leaders respectively), indicating a high-level coordination effort for this 12-aircraft strike. * Location and Historical Context: * Carpinone, Italy: The report identifies heavy anti-aircraft fire (12/20 bursts) originating from this area. Carpinone was a critical railway and road junction in the Molise region, essential for German logistics. * Bernhardt Line Interdiction: On October 26, 1943, No. 21 Squadron was engaged in destroying tactical ammunition and stores dumps. This was part of the Allied effort to starve German frontline units of supplies as they defended the mountainous Bernhardt Line. * Tactical Coordination: The narrative (BD) mentions a "Dummy run" necessitated by cloud cover and a positive confirmation of damage (a large explosion) provided by another squadron. This highlight's the reliance on visual confirmation and the difficulties of bombing in the variable Mediterranean weather. * Joint Squadron Operations: The observation (BH) of No. 12 Squadron S.A.A.F. bombing results (patterning well near a road fork) shows that multiple South African Wing units were striking the same logistical nodes simultaneously. 30 The date written in the 'Date' column of the Sortie Report to verify the correct image is 29/10/43.