Third Box straddled approach to bridge. 7 x 1000 lbs. bombs hung up, jettisoned at sea. Moderate, fairly accurate H.A.A.

"V" 191 TO : 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/838 DATE : 25th SEPTEMBER, 1944 OPREP NO. 838 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HRS. ON THE 24 : 9 : 44 REF. 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) Nil C. : (i) & (ii) Nil D. : (i) 26.55 Hrs. (ii) Nil E. : (i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil F. : (i) 48 x 1000 (ii) 41 x 1000 (iii) 7 x 1000 (iv) Nil Fused:- 36 – 28 Nose 36 – 27 Tail. G to V. : Nil W. : (i) 2 Marauders III (ii) Nil X. : (i) 20 Minutes (ii) Nil Y to Z : Nil. (Signed) C.P.P. Nicolle Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

1944-09-25

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * 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 * HRS / Hrs. / hrs.: Hours * OPS. NO.: Operation Number * A/C: Aircraft * N.W.: Northwest * ft.: feet * lbs.: pounds * Demo.: Demolition bombs * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak) * Capt.: Captain * Observations about Individuals: * Captain C.P.P. Nicolle: As the Squadron Intelligence Officer, Nicolle’s signature validates the tactical assessment of the mission. Throughout September 1944, Nicolle was heavily involved in documenting the Squadron's support for the Eighth Army, including the detailed investigation into the loss of Lieutenant Whitehouse's crew earlier that month. * Location and Modern Names: * Pescara: The Squadron's base of operations on the Adriatic coast. This site is now the Abruzzo Airport (Aeroporto d’Abruzzo). * Cervia: A coastal town in the Emilia-Romagna region. The "road bridge 5 miles N.W." was a strategic target intended to disrupt German retreats toward the Savio River. * Forlì: The reference map for the operation. The city of Forlì itself was a major German stronghold that would become the focus of intense ground fighting in the coming weeks. * Historical Theatre Context: * The Pursuit to the Savio: Following the fall of Rimini on September 21, German forces began a fighting withdrawal across the Romagna plains. This mission on September 24, 1944, was part of the Allied air effort to "trap" these forces by destroying bridges and logistical choke points. * Precision and Heavy Ordnance: The use of 1,000lb demolition bombs indicates a focus on "hard" infrastructure. While the first two boxes overshot, the third box successfully "straddled" the bridge approach, which was often sufficient to crater roads and prevent the passage of heavy German armor. * Technical Reliability: The report of 7 bombs being "hung up" (failing to release) and subsequently jettisoned at sea highlights the mechanical stress on the Martin B-26 Marauder III aircraft during high-tempo operations. This was a common hazard, as returning to land with 1,000lb bombs stuck in the bay posed a significant risk of accidental detonation upon landing. * Weather and Seasonal Shift: The mention of 6/10 to 8/10 cloud en route illustrates the deteriorating weather conditions that would eventually bring the Allied offensive to a literal standstill later in the month. 33 Target File Verification: The date written in the 'DATE' column of this operational report is 24th SEPTEMBER, 1944.