Operation

APPENDIX "D" 31 To: HQ MAAF (attention 23rd. SCORU) HQ MATAF (attention 2nd. Command Unit 23rd. SCORU) SADA SAAF. From: SIO 21 Squadron SAAF. Ref: 21S/746. DATE: 3rd.July 1944. OPREP No. 746 FOR PERIOD ENDING 21.00 Hrs. 2nd.JULY 1944. Ref Map: ITALY 1-100.000 Sheet 88 IMOLA. A. 12 Baltimores airborne from PESCARA at 15.03 Hrs. to bomb LUGO M/Yds. (M.340382). They flew to target with an escort of 8 Spitfires, and attac- -ked at 16.26 Hrs from 12.000' on a course of 240°. Bombs from both box merged into a very concentrated pattern covering M/Yds. from M.343383 to M.338380. Practically all the bombs are on and amongst railway tracks Station buildings and warehouses beyond, just South-West of Yards. No enemy opposition. Slight haze. All A/C. returned by 17.40 Hrs. B. (i) 7 Balt. Mk.iv. (ii) Nil (i) 5 Balt. Mk.v. (ii) Nil. C. (i)&(ii) Nil. (i)&(ii) Nil. D. (i) 16.00 Hrs. (ii) Nil. (i) 12.30 Hrs. (ii) Nil. E. (i) 22400 x .30 2100 x .303 4900 x .50 (ii)&(iii) Nil (i) 16000 x .303. 1500 x .303. 3500 x .50 (ii)&(iii) Nil. F. (i) 14 x 500 M.C. 21 x 250 G.P. (ii) 12 x 500 M.C. 16 x 250 G.P. (iii) 2 x 500 M.C. 3 x 250 G.P. (iv) Nil. (i) 10 x 500 M.C. 15 x 250 G.P. (ii) as in (i). (iii)&(iv) Nil. G.to V. Nil. W. (i) 2 Balt.Mk iv. (ii) Nil (i) 2 Balt.Mk.v (ii) Nil (i) 5 Marauder Mk.iii (ii) Nil X. (i) 1.45 Hrs. (ii) Nil (i) 1.10 Hrs. (ii) Nil (i) 6.10 Hrs. (ii) Nil. Y & Z. Nil. Hallick Captain, S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

1944-07-03

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Redemption at Lugo (Precision Success): * The Second Attempt: This report details the afternoon raid on July 2nd (Sortie 746), returning to the Lugo Marshalling Yards which they had missed earlier that morning (see Appendix C / File 30). * Improved Accuracy: In stark contrast to the morning's overshoot into the town, this attack achieved a "very concentrated pattern covering M/Yds [Marshalling Yards]." The report proudly notes that "Practically all the bombs are on and amongst railway tracks Station buildings and warehouses.". This demonstrates the unit's ability to correct tactical errors quickly between sorties. * Strategic Impact: Destroying station buildings and warehouses alongside the tracks would have caused maximum disruption to the German logistics chain in the Romagna plain, preventing supplies from reaching the Gothic Line defenses. * Marauder Conversion Progress: * Training Hours: Section W and X provide concrete data on the transition process. While the Baltimores were flying combat missions, "5 Marauder Mk.iii" aircraft flew a total of "6.10 Hrs" on non-operational flights (likely familiarization or circuit training). This confirms the diary's narrative that the squadron was running a "double life"—fighting a war in Baltimores while simultaneously learning to fly a completely new, heavier, and faster bomber. * Ordnance Load: * Standard Mix: The bomb load consisted of 500 lb M.C. (Medium Capacity - High Explosive) and 250 lb G.P. (General Purpose) bombs. This mix was effective against mixed industrial targets like rail yards; the 500lb bombs could crater tracks and destroy rolling stock, while the 250lb bombs could damage softer targets like sheds and warehouses. * Abbreviations: * SADA: Likely a typo for S.A.O.A. (Senior Air Officer Administration) or S.A.S.O. (Senior Air Staff Officer). * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit. * M.C.: Medium Capacity. * G.P.: General Purpose. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer (Capt. Hallick). * IMOLA: Map sheet name. 32 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 3rd.JULY 1944. in the "Date" field. It is a Sortie Report (Appendix "E") labeled 32 in the top right corner.