Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 31st AUGUST, 1944
APPENDIX "U"126TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU): H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION S.C.O.R.U.): S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/812DATE : 31st AUGUST, 1944OPREP NO. 812 FOR THE PERIOD 1400 TO 2100 HRS ON THE 30 : 8 : 44REF. MAP:- ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 100 FORLI.A. : 12 Marauders off from PESCARA in boxes of four A/C to attack FAENZA M/YARDS. First box was over the target at 1640 Hrs. and a concentrated pattern of 40 bombs straddled the target, in the centre of the M/Yards. Three A/C of the second box returned to base with bombs after an hour due to engine and bomb sight trouble, but the fourth A/C of this formation joined the following box. This formation of five A/C bombed FORLI M/YARDS by mistake at 1728 hrs., a wide pattern running along northern portion of yards. No enemy opposition. Weather: Clear over target but visibility extremely hazy. All A/C back by 1900 hrs.B. : (1) 12 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (1) & (ii) NilD. : 25.55 Hrs (11) NilE. : (1) 45,600 x .50 (11) & (111) NilF. : (1) 7 x 500) Fused:- 36 - 27 Nose( 4 x 250)(11) 5 x 50036 x 250(111) & (iv) NilG TO Z : Nil(Signed) S.L. BoschoffLt. for Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. M.A.A.F
- Headquarters, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
- T.A.F
- Tactical Air Force.
- S.C.O.R.U
- Special Central Operational Reporting Unit.
- 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.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- Lt
- Lieutenant.
- Capt
- Captain.
Abbreviations Expanded:
Observations about Individuals:
Location and Modern Names:
Historical Theatre Context:
Operation Olive (The Gothic Line Assault): This report documents a mission on August 30, 1944, during the sustained Allied effort to break through the German defensive line in the Apennines.