Operation

TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) HQ NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/591 DATE : 17th March 1944 OPREP No.591 for the period ending 2100 Hrs on 16/3/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 134 GIULIANOVA A: 12 Baltimores (following 223 Sqdn) took off from BIFERNO L/G from 15.20 Hrs to attack the Road junction near GIULIANOVA at E975592. Formation set course at 1545 Hrs and attacked at 1610 Hrs from 11500' on a course of 330°. Each Vic bombed on its own leader and the bombs fell in a close pattern slightly WEST of the cross-roads from 0974590 to 972504 with possible direct hits on Railway and straddling the Rd. All a/c landed Base by 1710 Hrs. Moderate accurate H/A from target area.; flashes observed at 0961593 and 973600. Three a/c holed. Weather clear and visibility good over target 2 Spitfires provided area cover. One 250 lb bomb hung-up and was brought back. B: (1) 10 Baltimores IV. (ii) NIL (i) 1 Baltimors V (ii) NIL (1) 1 Baltimore IIIA (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (1) 15.50 Hours (ii) NIL (i) 1.35 Hours (ii) NIL (1) 1.35 Hours (ii) NIL E: (1) 32000 x .30 3000 x .303 7000 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (1) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (1) 20 x 500 MC 30 x 250 GP (ii) 19 x 500 MC 29 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fused 47 Det 27 Pist in nose - 49 Det 28 Pist in tail) (1) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (1) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL G: (i) NIL (ii) 3 Baltimores IV. (Cat.1) to V: NIL W: (i) 4 Mk.III 1 Mk.IV. (ii) NIL (i) 1.00 Hour .10 Mins. (ii) NIL Z: NIL S.L. Boshoff Lt for Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.