Tops 13500. Base 7000 ft. Visibility through breaks fair.

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/ 359 OPREP NO. 359 for period ending 1800 hrs LT 31 JULY 43 OPERATION 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 do 1 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.

1943-07-31

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded * SCOR Officer: Section Control and Operational Research Officer. * 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. * ADV: Advanced (Headquarters). * SAAF: South African Air Force. * OPREP: Operational Report. * hrs LT: hours Local Time. * A/D: Aerodrome. * ft: feet. * S/Cumulus: Stratocumulus (cloud type). * Mk: Mark (referring to aircraft version). * GP: General Purpose (bombs). * Det: Detonator. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. Personnel and Operational Observations * Captain J.S. Bester: Certified the report as the Squadron Intelligence Officer (Advanced). His notes capture a rare instance of a total mission failure due to environmental factors rather than enemy action. * The Leader's Decision: The formation leader (likely Captain Stuart, who led the morning raid on the same target) faced heavy cloud cover—6/10 to 8/10 Stratocumulus—which topped out at 13,500 feet. To avoid the extreme danger of navigating a 12-aircraft tight formation through blind clouds over mountainous Sicilian terrain, the leader wisely elected to abort. Location and Tactical Reality * 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. * Gerbini Main Aerodrome: A major Axis airbase complex in central Sicily. The formation reached this point before turning back, indicating they were nearly over the front lines when the weather became impassable. * Pozzallo: A village on the southern coast of Sicily used as a "safe" area to jettison live ordnance. The report notes bombs were jettisoned 7 miles from the village at an altitude of 3,800 feet to ensure they did not pose a threat to Allied ground forces or civilians. Historical Context (Operation HUSKY) * July 31, 1943 (D+21): This was the final mission attempt of July 1943 for 21 Squadron. The month ended with a stark reminder of the limitations of WWII aerial technology; despite massive air superiority, the Mediterranean weather remained a decisive tactical factor. * Isolation of the Battlefield: The intent of the mission was to continue the interdiction of the road network through Santa Maria di Licodia, hindering the withdrawal of the German 15th Panzergrenadier Division toward the "Etna Line" rearguard positions. * The Martin Baltimore: The unit's logistical strength on this day is evidenced by the availability of a full 12-aircraft "box," including a rare Mk 4 variant. The jettisoning of 72 x 250 lb General Purpose bombs represented a significant waste of ordnance, but it was a realistic necessity for Baltimores landing at Hal Far, Malta, which could not safely touch down on the short, war-damaged runways while carrying a full combat load. 131 The date written in the 'Date' column of target file 276-1__131.jpg is 31 Jul 43.