Operation

APPENDIX "D" 110 TO : H.Q. MAAF ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU) : H.Q. TAF ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU) : S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F. FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. REF. : 21S/ 797 DATE : 17th AUGUST, 1944 OPREP NO. 797 FOR 24 HOURS ENDING 2100 HOURS L.T. ON THE 16th AUGUST, 1944 REF. MAP:- ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 64 ROVIGO OPERATION NO. 2/21/M : 12 Marauders off from PESCARA at 0905 hrs. to attack the R.R. Bridge over the ADIGE RIVER near ROVIGO. After R/V with a close escort of 8 Spitfires at FALCONARA, formation set course at 0955 and bombed on Box Leaders from 11500 and 10500 feet respectively on a course of 180º at 1042 hrs. Pattern of the first Box fell about 100 yards to east of Bridge and second box about same distance to west no damage to Bridge being claimed. No enemy opposition. Weather:- Target clear of cloud, but visibility hazy. All A/C down by 1205 hrs. :(i) 12 Marauders 111 (ii) Nil :(i) & (ii) Nil :(i) 37.00 Hrs. (ii) Nil :(i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil :(i) 48 x 1000 (Fuzed 49-30 Tail) (ii) 48 x 1000 (iii) 1 x 1000 (iv) NIL (iv) Nil : NIL :(i) 1 Marauder 111 (ii) Nil :(i) 30 min. (ii) Nil : Nil. (Signed) S.L. Boschoff CAPT. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. S. ubaldo (?)

1944-08-17

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * H.Q. MAAF: Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. * SCORU: Special Central Operational Reporting Unit. * TAF: Tactical Air Force. * S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F.: South African Operational Section, South African Air Force. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * OPREP: Operational Report. * L.T.: Local Time. * R.R.: Railroad. * R/V: Rendezvous. * hrs.: Hours. * A/C: Aircraft. * Observations about Individuals: * S.L. Boschoff: Captain S.L. Boschoff, the Squadron Intelligence Officer (S.I.O.). His role was crucial during the transition to Marauders, as he was responsible for compiling "OPREPs" (Operational Reports) and analyzing the accuracy of the new medium bomber's strikes through photographic evidence. * Location and Modern Names: * Pescara: The squadron's operational base on the Adriatic coast. The airfield site is now occupied by Abruzzo Airport (Aeroporto d'Abruzzo). * Rovigo (Adige River): Located in Northern Italy, the Adige River was a vital natural defensive barrier for German forces. The railroad bridges in this area were key targets to disrupt the flow of German supplies to the front lines. * Falconara: A coastal town near Ancona serving as a frequent rendezvous point for SAAF bombers and their Supermarine Spitfire escorts. It is the location of modern Ancona International Airport. * Historical Theatre Context: * Second Marauder Operation: This report documents Operation No. 2/21/M, the squadron's second-ever combat mission using the Martin B-26 Marauder. The unit had just returned to operations on August 15th after a record 28-day conversion from the Martin Baltimore. * Precision Challenges: Unlike the successful first raid, this mission resulted in no damage to the bridge, with bomb patterns falling 100 yards to the east and west of the narrow target. This illustrates the difficulty crews faced in mastering the high-speed Marauder for precision tactical bombing at 11,000 feet. * Operation Strangle & The Gothic Line: These strikes were part of a broader air campaign to isolate the German army by destroying Northern Italy's transportation infrastructure. These efforts were a direct prelude to the major Allied ground assault on the Gothic Line which commenced on August 25, 1944. 113 Target File Verification: The date written in the 'DATE' column is 18th AUGUST, 1944.