Operation

APPENDIX "F" FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORDS) H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU) S.A.O.A. ADV. H.Q. S.A.A.F. C.M.F. 3 SA WING W.I.O. S.A.A.F. REF : 21S/ 889 DATE : 27th DECEMBER, 1944 OPREP NO. 889 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HRS. ON THE 26.12.44. REF. MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 50 PADOVA. OPERATION NO. 133/21. 12 Marauders airborne from IESI L/G at 1143 Hrs. to bomb CASTEL FRANCO VENETO M/Yards (0.3977). Formation set course from FANO at 1217 hrs. in two boxes of six, escorted by 6 Mustangs. Attack took place at 1302 Hrs. from 13200' / 12800' on courses of 243° and 310° respectively. First box straddled the western end of the M/Yards with direct hits on buildings North and South of R/R Line and large explosion with orange smoke at G. 383771. Bombs of the leader of the second box fell 8 to 10 seconds after release, causing the whole box to overshoot by about 2000 yards in open field. H/A/A slight inaccurate when crossing coast North of Venice on return. Visibility good weather clear. All A/C landed by 1435 hr (W) (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) Nil (X) (i) & (ii) Nil (Y) (i) 33.00 Hrs (ii) Nil (Z) (i) 40800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil (P) (i) 72 x 500 GP 48 x 250 GP (ii) 72 x 500, 48 x 250 (iii) & (iv) Nil Fused:- Nose 27-49 Tail 28-36 NOTE:- 360 lbs of window dropped. (U) to (V) : Nil (W) (i) 1 Marauder III (ii) Nil (X) (i) 2.30 Hrs. (ii) Nil (Y) & (Z) : Nil (Signature: Halliwell) Halliwell CAPT. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.