Operation

APPENDIX "MM" 271 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/688 DATE : 26th May, 1944 OPREP No. 688 for the period ending 21.00 hrs on the 25th May, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 109 PESARO 12 Baltimores airborne at 1500 hrs to bomb RAILWAY BRIDGE near FOSSOMBRONE (S.041558). Attack took place at 1621 hrs in good visibility. First box attacked from 11000' on a course of 025° and straddled the bridge from S.042558 to S.042559, three direct hits on bridge being claimed. The second box attacked from 10000' on a course of 015°, overshooting into the town from S.042559 to S.045564, with several direct hits on buildings. One A/c turned back 3 minutes before target owing to engine trouble and brought bomb load back. One A/c had complete hang up over target, but jettisoned out to sea at S.575612. 1 x 250 hang up and brought back. No enemy opposition. 8 Spitfires provided close escort. All A/c landed by 1727 Hrs. B: (i) 7 Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 5 Mk V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 17.10 hrs (ii) NIL (i) 12.30 hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 14 x 500 M.C. 21 x 250 G.P. (ii) 12 x 500 M.C. 17 x 250 G.P. (iii) NIL (iv) NIL (All fused : 49 Det 27 Pist Nose, 36 Det 28 Pist Tail, except 2 x 250 G.P. : 52 Det 37 Pist Tail (6 & 12 Hrs Delay) (i) 10 x 500 M.C. 15 x 250 G.P. (ii) 8 x 500 M.C. 12 x 250 G.P. (iii) 2 x 500 M.C. 3 x 250 G.P. (iv) NIL to Z: NIL FL : Major de Wet Hallick Capt S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.