Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Took off
- 1427 hrs
To: SCOR OFFICER AHQ MALTA.HQ RAF ME.HQ NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)From: 21 SQUADRON SAAF ADV.Ref: 21 Sqdn/ 359OPREP NO. 359 for period ending 1800 hrs LT 31 JULY 43OPERATION NO. 87.REF MAP PATERNO 1:100000, SHEET 269.A. Formation took off at 1427 hrs LT to bomb ST. MARIE DI LICODIA and landed at 1614 hrs.Due to unfavourable cloud conditions leader turned back over GERBINI MAIN A/D and jettisoned bombs at 175° POZZALLO village 7 miles at 1600 hrs from 3800 ft. Bombs fused. 6/10-8/10 S/Cumulus over rendezvous and target. Tops 13500. Base 7000 ft. Visibility through breaks fair.B. 12 aircraft (2 Mk 3, 9 Mk 3A, 1 Mk 4)C. NIL.D. 25 hours.E. (1) 2 Mk 3 : 6400 x .30, 4600 x .303.9 Mk 3A: 28800 x .30, 6400 x .5, 2700 x .303.1 Mk 4 : 3200 x .30, 700 x .5, 300 x .303.(ii)(iii) NIL.F. (1) 2 Mk 3: 12 x 250 GP 47 Det, 27 Pistols.9 Mk 3A: 54 x 250 GP do do1 Mk 4: 6 x 250 GP do do(ii) as in (1) (See remarks in A) (iii)(iv) NIL.G. TO Z. NIL.(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- AHQ
- Air Headquarters.
- RAF ME
- Royal Air Force Middle East.
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Control and Operational Research Unit.
- NATAF
- Northwest African Tactical Air Force.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- ADV
- Advanced (Headquarters).
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- A/D
- Aerodrome.
- S/Cumulus
- Stratocumulus (cloud type).
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
ft: feet.
St. Marie di Licodia: Modern name Santa Maria di Licodia. This town was the primary target, intended as a follow-up to the morning's successful strike.