Sortie — Wednesday, 30 August 1944

Sortie Report (Form 541)

Date: 30th AUGUST, 1944

APPENDIX "S"124TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU): H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU): S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/810DATE : 30th AUGUST, 1944OPREP NO. 810 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HRS. L.T. ON THE 29 : 8 : 44REF. MAP:- ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 109 PESAROOPS. 27 to 32/21/M.A. : 23 Marauders briefed during the day to attack strongpoints in the PESARO AREA in support of the army with 500 and 250 lbs. fragmentation bombs. 15 A/C in three boxes of four and one of 3 A/C attacked area known as No. 4 with its centre at S. 055788; two formations straddled centre portion with all bombs in the area; third box overshot by about 1000 yards but good percentage of bombs fell in an adjoining target area (one A/C of this box returned early with bombs, due to engine trouble, and landed with bombs). Fifth and sixth formations briefed to attack area around S. 060790 known as Target No. 3. One box of four A/C straddled target with all bombs, and the other overshot by 1500 yards due to A/C in the area interfering with bombing run. Only one formation encountered slight accurate H.A.A., two A/C being holed. Throughout the day target area clear of cloud was visibility was poor due to haze. Last A/C down by 1645 hours.B. : (1) 23 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (1) & (11) NilD. : (1) 41.40 hrs. (ii) NilE. : (1) 87,400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (1) 138 x 500) Fused 52 - 44 Nose92 x 250) 36 - 30 Tail(ii) 108 x 50072 x 250(iii) & (iv) NilG TO V : NilW : (1) 1 Marauder III (ii) NilX : (1) 0.45 Hrs. (ii) NilY TO Z : Nil(Signed) S. L. Boschoff Lt. for Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

H.Q. M.A.A.F: Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
SCORU: Special Central Operational Reporting Unit.
T.A.F: Tactical Air Force.
S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F: South African Operational Section, South African Air Force.
S.I.O: Squadron Intelligence Officer.
OPREP: Operational Report.
L.T: Local Time.
A/C: Aircraft.
H.A.A: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire.

Abbreviations Expanded:

Observations about Individuals:

Location and Modern Names:

Target Coordinate S. 055788 (Target No. 4): This pinpoint refers to fortified high-ground strongpoints in the hills approximately 4.5 miles West-South-West of Pesaro, near the modern locality of Santa Maria dell'Arzilla.

Target Coordinate S. 060790 (Target No. 3): Located slightly closer to the city, this area encompasses the ridges overlooking the Foglia River valley, where German forces had established a network of bunkers and gun pits to resist the Allied advance.

Historical Theatre Context:

Operation Olive & The Gothic Line Breakthrough: This OPREP documents Operations 27 to 32/21/M on August 29th, 1944. This period was the kinetic peak of the British Eighth Army's assault to pierce the main German defensive belt in the Northern Apennines.