Operation

APPENDIX "AA" 209A 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/644 DATE : 25th April 1944 OPREP No.644 for period ending 2100Hrs on 24/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 131 FOLIGNO 12 Baltimores airborne at 0818 Hrs to bomb FOLIGNO M/Yds at A949843. With 223 Sqdn leading, formation set course at 0853 Hrswith a close escort of 16 Spitfires. Boxes bombed line astern from 11500' on a course of 040° at 0930 Hrs. Pattern straddled Southern portion of target from A947838 to 951840, with direct hits on railway and building on Western side. NO enemy opposition. Target clear and visibility good All a/c returned by 1050 Hrs. B: (i) 8 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 4 Balts V (ii) NIL C: (i) NIL (ii) NIL D: (i) 19.20 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 9.40 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 25600 x .30 2400 x .303 5600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 12800 x .30 1200 x .303 2800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 32 x 500 MC (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 16 x 500 MC (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (FUSED: 38: 49 Det 27 Pist: XXXXX NOSE: 49 Det 28 Pist TAIL) 12 - 6 & 12 Hours Delay; 52 Det 37 Pist TAIL) G to V: NIL W: (i) 2 Mk.1V. (ii) NIL X: (i) 1.10 Hrs. (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL.. (Signature illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. (Handwritten note in pencil): Col Jandrell DFC.

1944-04-25

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Targeting the Foligno Hub: * Strategic Context: The target was the Foligno Marshalling Yards (M/Yds). Foligno is a critical rail junction in Umbria where the line from Rome splits towards Ancona (Adriatic) and Florence (North). By late April 1944, as Operation Diadem (the assault on Rome) approached, cutting these rail links was essential to prevent the Germans from shifting reserves between the fronts. * Tactical Execution: The attack was carried out from 11,500 feet on a heading of 040° (Northeast). This altitude was standard for medium bombers to balance accuracy with safety from light flak. The "Pattern straddled Southern portion of target," achieving "direct hits on railway and building". * Ordnance Strategy (Mixed Fusing): * Time Delay: The mission once again utilized a sophisticated mix of fuses. While 38 bombs were fused with standard impact pistols (No. 27/28), 12 bombs were fused with "6 & 12 Hours Delay" (No. 37 Pistol). This ensured that the marshalling yard would remain dangerous long after the smoke cleared, disrupting repair crews and rail traffic well into the night. * Formation & Escort: * Combined Wing: 21 Squadron flew "With 223 Sqdn leading," reinforcing the standard operating procedure of these two squadrons working as a tactical pair. * Escort: They were protected by a "close escort of 16 Spitfires". Despite the lack of "enemy opposition," the heavy escort suggests the area around Foligno was still considered potentially hostile airspace. * Personnel: * Col. Jandrell: The handwritten pencil note "Col Jandrell DFC" at the bottom confirms the involvement or review of Lieutenant Colonel A.C. Jandrell, the Commanding Officer. * Abbreviations: * M/Yds: Marshalling Yards. * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * Det: Detonator. * Pist: Pistol (Fuse mechanism). * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. 43 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is titled "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 36/44" and is dated 25th April, 1944. It is marked as APPENDIX "BB".