Pinpointing was difficult due to low cloud and snow, but first box located target after one circuit and bombed from 10,3

APPENDIX "I" FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATION RECORDS) H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU) S.A.O.A. ADV. H.Q. S.A.A.F. C.M.F. W.I.O. 3 SA WING S.A.A.F. REF : 21S/891 DATE : 29th DECEMBER, 1944 OPREP NO. 891 FOR THE 2400 HRS. ENDING 2100 HRS. 28.12.44. REF. MAP YUGOSLAVIA 1 : 100,000 Sheet 14 CELJE 12 Marauders airborne from IESI L/G by 1105 hrs. to attack three bridges at ZIDANI MOST (p.p. R(D) 903221). After R/V with a close escort of 8 Mustangs at FANO, formation set course for OLIB Island, whence the two boxes of six A/C each swung north to the target. Pinpointing was difficult due to low cloud and snow, but first box located target after one circuit and bombed from 10,300' on a course of 350° at 1235 hrs. Short pattern of about 200 yards resulted in a slight right error with D/H hits on eastern approach to centre Rail Bridge and on eastern portion of M/Yards. No hits on bridges claimed. 2x500 lbs bombs hung-up jettisoned in sea. 2nd Box which had become separated from 1st, failed to locate briefed target and eventually bombed on two smoke columns (thought at first to be effects of 1st Box bombing) at R(D) 842540, straddling what appeared to be a small railway terminus from 11500' at 1300 Hrs. One A/C did not drop bombs due to U/S release switch. No enemy opposition. Last A/C down at 1430 Hrs. (W) (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) Nil (X) (i) & (ii) Nil (Y) (i) 38.00 Hrs. (ii) Nil (Z) (i) 40800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil (P) (i) 72 x 500, 48 x 250 GP (ii) 2 x 500 Fused:- Nose 27-49 (ii) 64 x 500, 44 x 250 GP (iv) Nil Tail 28-36 Note:- 170 Lbs of window dropped (U) to (V) Nil (W) (i) 2 Marauders III (ii) Nil (X) (i) 2.00 Hrs. (ii) Nil (Y) Nil (Z) 210 x .50 (Signature: Halliwell) CAPT. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.