Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 29th AUGUST, 1944
APPENDIX "R"124TO : H.Q. MAAF ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU): H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU): S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/ 809DATE : 29th AUGUST, 1944.OPREP NO. 809 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 L.T. ON THE 28 : 8 : 44.REF. MAP:- ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 109 PESAROOPS. 22 to 26/21/M.A. : 18 Marauders took off from PESCARA during the day to attack two gun areas 6 miles and 10 miles respectively S.W. from PESARO. Each A/C carried 6 x 500 and 4 x 250 fragmentation bombs. First three boxes of four A/C each briefed to bomb an area about 700 x 300 yards with centre at S. 026768, formations being over target at 0825 - 0927 - 1030 hrs. Subsequent photographic results showed the target well covered with bomb bursts. All three formations encountered H.A.A. (mod. to slight) over target six of the twelve A/C sustaining slight damage.The next two formations of 3 A/C each attacked a triangular area about 1000 yrds. long with its centre S. 975743. First Vic was over target at 1635 hrs., a wide pattern straddled target area through centre. Pattern of last Vic ( T.O.T 1700) commenced in extreme western portion of target and ran out across a main road and river into open country. No enemy opposition. Target area clear of cloud during the day but visibility hazy. Last A/C down at 1745 hrs.B. : (i) 18 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (i) & (ii) NilD. : (i) 34.30 Hrs. (ii) NilE. : (i) 68400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (i) 108 x 500) Fused 52 - 44 Nose72 x 250) 36 - 30 Tail(ii) as above(iii) & (iv) NilG TO V : NilW. : (i) 1 Marauder III (ii) NilX : (i) 0.30 hrs (ii) NilY TO Z. : Nil(Signed) S. L. Boschoff Lt. for Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- SCORU
- Special Central Operational Reporting Unit.
- T.A.F
- Tactical Air Force.
- S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F
- South African Operational Section, South African Air Force.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- L.T
- Local Time.
- S.W
- South West.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- H.A.A
- Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire.
- Vic
- A tactical flight formation of three aircraft in a "V" shape.
Abbreviations Expanded:
mod.: Moderate.
Individuals Mentioned:
Location and Strategic Geography:
Historical Theatre Context:
The Gothic Line Breakthrough (Operation Olive): This report documents Operations 22 to 26/21/M on August 28th, 1944. This was a critical phase of the British Eighth Army's assault to pierce the main German defensive belt in the Apennines.