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Operation No. 840

Aircraft: V Time: 21:00 hrs

Sortie Report (Form 541)

Date
25th SEPTEMBER, 1944
"V"191TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU)H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU)S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/838DATE : 25th SEPTEMBER, 1944OPREP NO. 838 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HRS. ON THE 24 : 9 : 44REF. MAP ITALY, 1:100,000 SHEET 100 FORLI.OPS. NO. 115 to 117 / 21 / M.A. : 12 Marauders in 3 Boxes of 4 airborne from PESCARA at 1044 hrs. to attack a road bridge 5 miles N.W. of CERVIA. Formation over target at approximately 1205 hrs. and bombed from 12000 to 12500 ft. on courses 240, 240 and 260° respectively. Bomb load 48 x 1000 lbs. Demo. First and Second Boxes overshot pattern of first commencing 250 yards west of target and 2nd on edge of target. Third Box straddled approach to bridge. 7 x 1000 lbs. bombs hung up, jettisoned at sea. Moderate, fairly accurate H.A.A. encountered, 2 A/C holed. Weather over target clear, visibility good. Enroute 6/10 to 8/10 cloud at 4000 to 5000 ft.Last A/C down by 1305 hrs.B. : (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (i) & (ii) NilD. : (i) 26.55 Hrs. (ii) NilE. : (i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (i) 48 x 1000 (ii) 41 x 1000 (iii) 7 x 1000 (iv) NilFused:- 36 – 28 Nose 36 – 27 Tail.G to V. : NilW. : (i) 2 Marauders III (ii) NilX. : (i) 20 Minutes (ii) NilY to Z : Nil.(Signed) C.P.P. Nicolle Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

H.Q
Headquarters
M.A.A.F
Mediterranean Allied Air Forces
SCORU
Section Central Operational Research Unit
T.A.F
Tactical Air Force
S.A.O.A
South African Operational Assistant
S.A.A.F
South African Air Force
S.I.O
Squadron Intelligence Officer
OPREP
Operational Report
OPS. NO
Operation Number
N.W
Northwest

Abbreviations Expanded:

ft.: feet

lbs.: pounds

Observations about Individuals:

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