Sortie Report (Form 541)
BA. GUN POSITIONS AND STRONG POINT AT M7393BB. 1148 hrs LTBC. MEDIUM LEVEL BOMBING.10/10500 Courses 100°-115°72 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods.BD. The leading box attacked the target from M728935 to M740930, bombs bursting in excellent pattern. 5/6 dugin positions were seen in the area. Three hits seen on the road. No. 2 Box bombed M724932 and hits were seen on the rail-track.BE. NIL.BF. NIL.BG. Obliques and Verticals of bomb bursts. Height 10500 ft. Course 100°. IAS 210.BH. (i) Convoy 40 MT 50 yds dispersed moving SFERRO to CATENANOUVA.(ii) Bridge at M682946 blown.(iii) Bridge at M700957 appears damaged.LIST OF AIRCRAFT AND CREW.176YY Major JANDRELL, Lt. CHRISTIE, 2/Lts. PEARCE & LE ROUX (F/L)221Y Lt. EATON & McDERMOTT, F/Sgts. FREEBORN(NZAF) & VAN ROOYEN173P Lts SIMPSON & HARLE, F/Sgts. ROBERTS & SHEPPERSON.167S Capt. SMIT, Lt. KAY, 2/Lts. PURDON & WRIGHT.356Z Lts. RICHARDS & DE CONNICK, F/Sgt. ROBERTSE, Sgt. McGRINDLE.291U Lts. HARGRAVE & REES, F/Sgts. JENSEN (RCAF) & BEDFORD.~~271F~~226H Capt. ORD, Lt. HODGES, F/Sgt.s WALKER & DEVENISH.290U Lts. DUGMORE & MASTERS, F/Sgts. MAASDORP & ROGERS.206J Lts. WOOD & NEL, F/Sgt. JAMES, Sgt. BUCHLER.271F Lts. GUARD & WEBBER, F/Sgt. GREEN, 2/Lt. DE VILLIERS.195G Lts. MURMAN & WALTERS, F/Sgt. ODENDAAL, Sgt. STEWART.179A Lts. ASKEW & LAMBERT, F/Sgt. GELDENHUYS, Sgt. CRAWHALL.
Transcriber's Notes
- LT
- Local Time.
- GP
- General Purpose (bombs).
- Det Rods
- Detonator Rods (Nose Rods).
- IAS
- Indicated Air Speed.
- MT
- Motor Transport.
- NZAF
- New Zealand Air Force (referring to Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel).
- RCAF
- Royal Canadian Air Force. Personnel and Tactical Observations
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
ft: feet.
(F/L): Formation Leader.
Grid Pinpoints (M7393, M728935 to M740930): These coordinates refer to the area north of Paternò, a strategic hinge of the German "Etna Line". Paternò (modern name unchanged) was vital for controlling the southern approaches to Mount Etna and the Simeto River.