Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 12 JUL 43
- Took off
- 0315 hrs
P O S T A G R A M.44To : 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. SAAF.Ref : 21S/336.Date : 12 JUL 43.OPREP NO. 336 for period ending 2100 hrs LT 12 JUL 43.OPERATION NO. -A. The Baltimores took off at 0315 hrs LT and attacked CASTEL VETRANO A/D from 8/10500 ft from 0406 to 0420 hrs. Last aircraft landed Base 0615 LT. The bombing was good and the target was straddled. NO results observed. Intense, inaccurate HAA from NW A/D and one S/L. Weather good.B. 3 BALTIMORES (2 Mk III, 1 Mk IIIA).G. NIL.D. 7 hrs 49 mins.E. (i) 2 Mk III: 6400 x .30, 4600 x .303; 1 Mk IIIA 3200 x .30, 700 x .5, 300 x .303 (ii) (iii) NIL.F. (i) 12 x 500 GP 43 Det 50% NDT (4 bombs per aircraft). 100 Crowfeet per a/c. Mk 3 4 x 4.5 flares No. 10.(ii) 12 x 500 GP 43 Det 50% NDT (4 bombs per aircraft). 100 Crowfeet per a/c. Mk 3 4 x 4.5 flares No. 10.(iii) (iv) NIL.G. (i) (ii) (iii) NIL.H. NIL.J. (i) (ii) (iii) NIL.V. (i) NIL (ii) Mk III No. AG916.W. (i) 4 BALTIMORE IIIA; 2 BALTIMORE III (ii) NIL.X. (i) Mk IIIA 4.10 hrs; Mk III 1.55 hrs. (ii) NIL.Y - Z NIL.(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- HQ.RAF.ME
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, 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.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- A/D
- Aerodrome.
- HAA
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft artillery.
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
ft: feet.
Route and Timing Observations:
Ordnance and Strike Analysis:
Location and Historical Context: