Operation

APPENDIX "E" 309 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/706 DATE : 5th June, 1944 OPREP No. 706 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 4th June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 147 LANCIANO 12 Baltimores airborne from BIFERNO at 1230 hrs to attack TORRE RAILWAY BRIDGE (E960054). 8/10th cu. over target area obscured briefed target and formation bombed R/R and road bridges at C 051109. The stick started with a slight undershoot, straddling the S.E. approaches of both bridges, with 2 direct hits on road and a near miss on R/R line, and ended to the right of the bridge on the N.W. bank of the PESCARA RIVER. The attack was carried out at 1314 hrs from 12000' on a course of 345°. No enemy opposition. All A/c landed back b 1405 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts Mk V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 8.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 8.00 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fused: 49 - 27 Nose, 36 - 28 Tail) to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Balt Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 1.00 Hrs (ii) NIL Z: NIL FL Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-06-05

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Weather Diversion (Target Switching): * Original Target: The squadron was briefed to attack the "TORRE RAILWAY BRIDGE (E960054)". This refers to the rail bridge at Torre de' Passeri, inland from Pescara. * Cloud Cover: Due to "8/10th cu. [cumulus] over target area," the primary target was obscured. * Target of Opportunity: The formation instead bombed "R/R and road bridges at C 051109." This secondary target is located on the Pescara River, significantly closer to the coast (near the modern town of Spoltore or Pescara itself). The coordinates and the mention of the "PESCARA RIVER" confirm they attacked infrastructure supporting the German defenses near the Adriatic terminus of the Gustav/Gothic lines. * Tactical Execution: * Straddle: The bombing "stick" (sequence of bombs hitting the ground) achieved a classic straddle: starting with a "slight undershoot," scoring "2 direct hits on road," and ending on the "N.W. bank." While the rail bridge was only subjected to a "near miss," damaging the adjacent road bridge was still a tactical success, hampering German mobility in the immediate area. * Altitude: The attack was conducted from 12,000 feet, a standard altitude for medium bombers to balance accuracy with safety from light flak. * Leadership: * Lt Col Jandrell: The report is signed by "FL [Flight Leader] Lt Col Jandrell D.F.C.". It is notable that the Squadron Commander himself led this mission. Leaders often took the lead on complex or critical sorties to maintain morale and standards. * Abbreviations: * cu.: Cumulus (cloud type). * R/R: Railroad. * S.E.: South East. * N.W.: North West. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross. 21 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is Appendix "F" to the War Diary, specifically Squadron Routine Orders No. 52/44. The document is dated 4th. June 1944 under the signature block of the Officer Commanding.