Operation

To: SCOR OFFICER, AHQ, MALTA. Please repeat to : HQ. RAF. ME. HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SIO. TBF. From: SIO 21 SQUADRON ADV. SAAF. Ref: 21 Sqdn/ 352 OPREP NO 352 for period ending 1800 hrs LT on 26 JULY 43. OPERATION NO – REF MAP SICILIA 1 : 500,000 NE 36/12. A. 12 Baltimores in two boxes of 6 took off at 1411 hrs LT and attacked REGALBUTO VILLAGE at 1545 hrs from 12000 ft on course 070°. Landed 1649 hrs. Bombs hit village. One direct hit on red building in centre of village. Road to ADRANO on outskirts of village covered in bursts. NO AA. Weather good. B. 12 Baltimores ( 9 Mk 3A and 3 Mk 3) C. NIL. D. 29 hours. E. (1) 9 Mk 3A: 28800 x .30, 6300 x .5, 2700 x .303. 3 Mk 3 : 9600 x .30, 6900 x .303. (ii) (iii) NIL. F. (1) 9 Mk 3A: 54 x 250 GP 47 Det 27 Pistol Nose Fused. 3 Mk 3 : 18 x 250 GP 47 Det 27 Pistol Nose Fused. (ii) As in (1) (iii) (iv) NIL. G. H. J. V. W. X. Y. Z. NIL. (Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt. SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.

1943-07-26

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded * AHQ: Air Headquarters. * RAF: Royal Air Force. * ME: Middle East. * NAAF: Northwest African Air Forces. * SCORU: Section Control and Operational Research Unit. * N.A.T.A.F.: Northwest African Tactical Air Force. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * TBF: Tactical Bomber Force. * ADV: Advanced (Headquarters). * SAAF: South African Air Force. * OPREP: Operational Report. * hrs LT: hours Local Time. * ft: feet. * AA: Anti-Aircraft. * Mk: Mark (designating aircraft version). * GP: General Purpose (bombs). * Det: Detonator. Personnel Observations * Captain J.S. Bester: Serving as the SIO (Advanced), Bester certified this report, which describes the second of two major strikes conducted against the same target on July 26, 1943. His debriefing notes highlight a "direct hit on [a] red building in centre of village," a high-precision result for medium-altitude bombing. Location and Historical Context * Regalbuto (modern Regalbuto): This hilltop town was a cornerstone of the German "Etna Line". Its command over the main roads leading toward Mount Etna made its destruction a priority for Allied air and ground forces. * Operational Shift (Malta Base): Having relocated to Hal Far, Malta on July 21, 21 Squadron was now capable of launching multiple 12-aircraft "boxes" per day against Sicilian targets. This specific mission was the second 12-aircraft raid on Regalbuto within a six-hour period, representing a massive concentrated effort to break the Axis defense. * The Battle of Regalbuto: While these bombs were falling, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division was embroiled in a fierce house-to-house struggle against the German 1st Parachute Division. The "red building" targeted in the village center was likely a confirmed or suspected command post or fortified strongpoint. * Tactical Observations: The report notes that the "Road to ADRANO on outskirts of village [was] covered in bursts". Severing this link was critical to preventing Axis reinforcements from the east reaching the paratroopers defending Regalbuto. Ordnance and Strike Analysis * Nose Fusing: Both strikes on this day utilized 250 lb General Purpose bombs with "Nose Fused" settings. This ensured an instantaneous explosion on contact with rooftops or streets, maximizing the effect against urban fortifications and personnel rather than attempting to penetrate deep into the volcanic soil. * The Martin Baltimore: The formation consisted of 9 Mk IIIA and 3 Mk III aircraft. The total lack of enemy anti-aircraft fire ("NO AA") during this second strike suggests that the morning raid (OPREP 351) or Allied fighter sweeps had successfully suppressed the local batteries. 110 The date written in the 'Date' column of target file 276-1__110.jpg is 26 Jul 43.