Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 19th July, 1944
APPENDIX "Z"54TO : HQ MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)HQ MATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAFREF : 21S/768DATE : 19th July, 1944OPREP No. 768 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 18th July, 1944REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 110 SENIGALLIAA: 12 Baltimores off by 1502 hrs to attack a ROAD BRIDGE at S.332624,10 miles N.W. of ANCONA. Formation set course at 1520 and attackedin vics, line astern, at 1600 from a height of 11500' on a courseof 170°. Pattern of whole formation straddled both rail and roadbridges, with direct hits on both and on buildings S.E. of targetresulting in fires. Spitfires provided area cover. No enemyopposition encountered. Weather: Target clear and visibility good.All A/C down by 1645 hrs.B: (i) 6 Balts IV(ii) NIL(i) 6 Balts V(ii) NILC: NILD: (i) 11.00 Hours(ii) NIL(i) 11.00 Hours(ii) NILE: (i) 19200 x .301800 x .3034200 x .50(ii) & (iii) NIL(i) 19200 x .301800 x .3034200 x .50(ii) & (iii) NILF: (i) 12 x 500 M.C.18 x 250 G.P.(ii) As above(iii) & (iv) NIL(i) 12 x 500 M.C.18 x 250 G.P.(ii) 10 x 50015 x 250(iii) & (iv) NIL(Fused: 49-28 Tail)G to V: NILW: (i) 4 Marauders III(ii) NILX: (i) 2.45 Hours(ii) NILY & Z: NILThis is the last operation carried out by this Unit on Baltimores,and the Squadron is now standing down in order to convert on to Marauders.Hallick Capt.S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- MAAF
- Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit.
- MATAF
- Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.
- SAOA
- Senior Air Officer Administration.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- NIL
- None. 56 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 18th July, 1944.. It is a page of "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS" (Appendix "AA") labeled 55 in the top right corner.
- M.C
- Medium Capacity (High Explosive).
- G.P
- General Purpose.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer (Capt. Hallick).
A Historic Final Sortie (The End of the Baltimore Era):
Theatre Context (The Liberation of Ancona):
Operational Tempo (The Double Shift):
Abbreviations Expanded: