7/10 cloud at 10000' in target area

APPENDIX "X" 207 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/640 DATE : 22nd April 1944 OPREP No.640 for period ending 2100 Hrs on 21/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 122 PERUGIA 12 Baltimores airborne at 1356 Hrs to bomb DUMP AREA at R761010 on the Eastern shore of LAKE TRASIMENO. After R/V with 12 Baltimores of 223 Squadron and an escort of 24 Spitfires they flew along coast to PORT S.GIORGIO and set course for target. 7/10 cloud at 10000' in target area prevented the formation from locating target in time to release bombs. 223 Sqdn who were leading bombed a nearby dump through gaps in cloud. The formation then looked for an alternative target and attacked STAZ DI TODI (A705665) at 1532 Hrs from 11000/11500' on a course of 110/130° Leading box undershot from A699668 to A704665. Second box dropped a short stick from A701665 to A705664 ending in station buildings, with direct hits on Road and on buildings. NO enemy opposition was encountered and all A/C returned by 1647 Hrs B: (i) 8 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 4 Balts V (ii) NIL NIL D: (i) 22.40 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 11.20 Hours (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 above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (FUSED: 38 - 52 Det 44 Pist NOSE - 49 Det 28 Pist TAIL) 10 - 6 - 12 Hours Delay - 52 Det 37 Pist Tail) to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Balt 1V. (ii) NIL X: (i) .10 Mins. (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL. FL Maj. Job (Signature illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-04-22

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target Selection & Weather Diversion (Lake Trasimeno to Todi): * Primary Target: The original objective was a "DUMP AREA... on the Eastern shore of LAKE TRASIMENO". Lake Trasimeno would later become the site of a major defensive line (the Trasimene Line) where the Germans held up the British Eighth Army in June 1944. Striking supply dumps here in April was preparatory interdiction. * The Diversion: Heavy cloud cover ("7/10 cloud at 10000'") obscured the primary target. While the lead squadron (223 Sqdn) managed to bomb through a gap, 21 Squadron's formation leader exercised discipline and "looked for an alternative target" rather than drop blindly. * Secondary Target: They selected "STAZ DI TODI" (Stazione di Todi / Todi Ponte Rio Station). Todi is a hilltop town, but its rail station lies in the Tiber valley below, serving as a key logistical node. The report claims "direct hits on Road and on buildings" at the station complex. * Combined Air Operations: * Massive Escort: The bomber force (24 Baltimores total between 21 and 223 Squadrons) was protected by an "escort of 24 Spitfires". This 1:1 fighter-to-bomber ratio indicates that despite the "NO enemy opposition" encountered, the airspace over central Italy (approaching Perugia) was considered contested enough to warrant a heavy fighter screen. * Navigation: The route took them "along coast to PORT S.GIORGIO" (Porto San Giorgio) before turning inland. This tactic of flying up the Adriatic coast before cutting inland was designed to bypass the heaviest flak concentrations along the mountainous front line. * Ordnance (Delayed Action): * The fusing section notes "10 - 6 - 12 Hours Delay" bombs were used. This confirms the continued use of time-delayed explosives to disrupt enemy movements and repair efforts at rail hubs like Todi long after the bombers had departed. * Abbreviations: * STAZ: Stazione (Station). * R/V: Rendezvous. * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * Pist: Pistol (Fuse mechanism). * SCORU: Scientific Operational Research Unit. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. 40 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 22nd April 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 640) labeled APPENDIX "X", detailing the mission flown on April 21st, 1944 (noted in the "period ending" line).