Operation

APPENDIX "D" 226 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/654 DATE : 3rd May, 1944 OPREP No.654 for period ending 2100 hrs on 3/5/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 137 ORTE 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO L/G at 1445 Hrs to bomb AMMO DUMP at A.525945. They set course at 1511 Hrs with an escort of 12 Spitfires and bombed at 1555 Hrs from 11,500' on a course of 180°. Formation led by 21 Sqdn with 12 Baltimores of 223 Sqdn in 2nd box. The target was well covered with bursts. Direct Hits on dump area A525945 followed by a large explosion with black smoke. 10/10 cloud at 8000' over mountains, but target area was clear. Visibility good. NO enemy opposition was encountered. All a/c landed by 1650 Hrs. B: (i) 8 Mk.IV (ii) NIL (i) 4 Mk.V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 16.40 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 8.20 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 32 x 500 MC (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL FUSE: 36 x 500 49 Det 27 Pist NOSE: 49 Det 28 Pist TAIL. 12 x 500 (6 & 12 hours Delay) 52 Det 37 Pist TAIL. to Z: NIL. (Signature illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.