Operation

(page obscured on left edge) 10 : H.Q. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) APPENDIX "L" H.Q. MASAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) 83 SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. REF : 555 21S/555 DATE : 17 Feb 44 SUBJECT: OPREP No. 555 for the period ending 1200 A Hrs 16 Feb 44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 150 ROMA (page obscured) A: 12 a/c detailed to bomb M/T and Dumps in an area bounded by F913499 - 925490 - 910485. All a/c were airborne between 0845 and 0856 and immediat after crossing the bomb line encountered accurate and H/A/A for almost (obscured) entire route and the target area. One a/c returned to base with engine trouble 1.20 hrs after take off. The formation, in two boxes, bombed between 1007 and 1012 Hrs from a height of 12000 - 13500' on courses of 300°/330° Leading box attacked Western portion of target with 1 of stick from F917486 to edge of lake. Second box bombed to right of leading box also dropping long stick in target area. NO results were observed. Due to various causes three a/c jettisoned bombs in enemy territory on homeward journey. 10 a/c landed back to base by 1120 Hrs. (obscured) further a/c due to engine trouble landed at MARCIANISE L/G and returned to base later. Weather was good over target but 10/10 cloud 5000' base, 10,000' tops was encountered from LUCERA to SORA (obscured) : (i) 12 Baltimores (11 Mk.4 1 Mk.3A) (ii) NIL (obscured) : NIL (obscured) : (i) 11 Mk.4 24.50 Hrs. 1 Mk.3A. (ii) NIL (obscured) : (i) 11 Mk.4: 35200 x .30 1 Mk.3A: 3200 x .30 3300 x .303 300 x .303 7700 x .50 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (obscured) : (i) 11 Mk.4 22 x 500 MC 44 Det 14 Tail fused .025 Delay 33 x 250 GP do 21 " " " " 1 Mk.3A 2 x 500 MC do 3 x 250 GP do (ii) 22 x 500 MC 33 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL (obscured) : (i) NIL (ii) 1 Mk.4 Cat.2. (obscured) to Z: NIL. (Signature) Lt for Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-02-17

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Document Type: This is a textual "Operational Report" (OPREP), specifically Appendix "L," summarizing Sortie No. 555. Unlike the tabular "Sortie Reports" (Forms 540/541), this is a narrative summary sent to higher headquarters (NAAF/MASAF). * Target Area: * "M/T and Dumps in an area bounded by F913499 - 925490 - 910485": The target was a concentration of Mechanical Transport (vehicles) and supply dumps. * Map Reference: Sheet 150 ROMA. * Location Context: The coordinates and map sheet place this target in the Anzio/Albano Laziale area. The "edge of lake" mentioned in the bombing narrative refers to Lake Albano (Lago Albano) or possibly the smaller Lake Nemi, both of which overlook the Anzio plain. This area was the critical assembly ground for German forces attacking the beachhead. * Operational Details: * Flak: "Accurate and H/A/A (Heavy Anti-Aircraft) for almost entire route." This reflects the extreme density of German flak around Rome and the Anzio perimeter during the counter-offensive. * Bombing: The use of "long stick" bombing indicates an area attack intended to saturate the vehicle parks and dumps rather than hit a specific point target. * Jettisoning: "Three a/c jettisoned bombs in enemy territory." This confirms the difficulty of the mission; sustaining damage or mechanical failure deep in hostile airspace forced crews to dump their loads to maintain altitude and speed for the escape. * Landing Away: One aircraft landed at Marcianise L/G (Landing Ground) due to engine trouble, as noted in the diary entry for Feb 16th. * Ordnance: * Fusing: Unlike previous raids using "Instant" fusing (No. 27 Pistol), this mission used ".025 Delay" (25 millisecond delay). This slight delay allowed the bombs to penetrate light cover or bury slightly before exploding, maximizing damage to vehicles and soft supplies rather than just cratering the surface. * Ammunition Expenditure: The report lists machine gun ammunition fired (".30", ".303", ".50"), indicating the gunners were active, likely strafing or testing guns, though no enemy fighters were reported. * Abbreviations & Codes: * NAAF: Northwest African Air Forces (though by Feb 1944, this structure was transitioning to MAAF - Mediterranean Allied Air Forces). * MASAF: Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force (though 21 Sqn was tactical, they often reported to strategic HQs for specific interdiction campaigns). * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Record Unit. * SAOA SAAF: Senior Air Officer Administration, South African Air Force. * Cat.2: Category 2 Damage (Repairable at unit/squadron level). 115 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'M'" Operational Report (OPREP). The date in the header is 17 Feb 44.