Operation

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/606 DATE : 27th March 1944 OPREP No.606 for period ending 1000 Hrs on 27/3/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 147 LANCIANO A: 13 Baltimores off by 0825 Hrs from BIFERNO L/G to bomb AMMO Factory at C001069 (11 miles S.W. of CHIETI). One a/c returned with bombs afte 20 minutes due to inter-comm trouble. After R/V over base with 223 Sqdn (leading) formation set course for target and attacked at 0903 Hrs from 10500 fton a course of 050°. First box straddled target with short sticks from B999067 to C002070. Second box bombed astern and slightly to right in a long pattern from B998065 to C005074. Numerous direct hits on target, roads, railway and buildings to N.E.. All a/c returned by 0955 Hrs. Weather clear over target with slight haze; 3/10 at 4000' en route. 4 Spitfires provided area cover. Slight L/A/A (inaccurate) from target area: Slight H/A/A from CHIETI area, also inaccurate. B: (1) 3 Balts. IIIA. (ii) NIL (i) 8 Balts. IV. (ii) NIL (i) 2 Balts V. (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 3.40 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 13.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 3.20 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 9600 x .30 900 x .303 2100 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 6400 x .30 600 x .303 1400 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 6 x 500 MC 9 x 250 GP (ii) 4 x 500 MC 6 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC 24 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 4 x 500 MC 6 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (All fused: NOSE 47 Det 27 Pist: Tail; 49 Det 28 Pist) G to Z: NIL S.L. Boshoff Lt Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-03-27

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target Analysis (Ammo Factory near Chieti): * The Target: The squadron targeted an "AMMO Factory at C001069 (11 miles S.W. of CHIETI)". This location corresponds to the area near Guardiagrele or Bucchianico in the Abruzzo region. Factories producing or storing munitions were high-value targets for Allied tactical bombers to reduce the enemy's fighting endurance. * Results: The raid was highly successful. The report claims "Numerous direct hits on target, roads, railway and buildings to N.E.". The "short sticks" (tight grouping of bombs) from the first box ensured high concentration on the factory itself. * Operational Details: * Inter-comm Trouble: One aircraft aborted the mission after 20 minutes due to "inter-comm trouble". An intercom failure might seem minor, but in a multi-crew bomber, it was a mission-kill. The pilot could not coordinate with the bombardier for the drop or the gunners for defense, making the aircraft a liability in formation. * Course: The attack heading was 050° (Northeast), flying inland from the mountains towards the Adriatic coast. * Defenses: The defenses were surprisingly light for such a target: "Slight L/A/A (inaccurate)" from the target area and "Slight H/A/A" from Chieti. * Fleet Composition: * The squadron fielded a mix of 3 Mk.IIIA, 8 Mk.IV, and 2 Mk.V Baltimores. The ammunition expenditure listed in Section E shows the different defensive armaments: * Mk.IIIA & Mk.IV: Used .30 caliber (Browning) and .50 caliber machine guns. * Mk.V: Also used .50 caliber (1400 rounds listed for 2 aircraft = 700 rounds per aircraft) for its turret, indicating the enhanced firepower of the newer model. * Abbreviations: * L/A/A: Light Anti-Aircraft fire (small caliber, rapid-fire). * H/A/A: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (large caliber, explosive flak). * S.W. / N.E.: South-West / North-East. * L/G: Landing Ground. 68 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 28th March 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 607) detailing a mission flown on March 27th, 1944.