| TORTORELLA |

SORTIE REPORT (Part A) R.A.F. Form 441 A. G 24 | [Header Columns] | [Content] | |---|---| | Sortie No. | 1 | | Oprep. Ref. No. | 512 | | Date | 11 Jan 44 | | Squadron | 21 SAAF | | Type of Aircraft | 12 Baltimores (2 Mk.3A, 10 Mk.4) | | Aircraft No. | See over | | Aircraft Letter | See over | | Captain | LT/COL KOTZE | | Crew | CAPT CARTER | | Formation Leader | [Blank - aligned with Captain field] | | Time Up | 1149 A Hrs 1st aircraft | | Time Down | 1324 A Hrs last aircraft | | Total Time | 18.00 Hours | | Aerodrome or L.G. | TORTORELLA | | State of Cloud | Cu. and St.Cu | |---|---| | Amount of Cloud | 10/10 | | Base of Cloud | 6500' Tops 8000' | | Visibility | 15/20 miles away from clouds | | General Weather | Cloudy | | Map or Chart Reference | ITALY 1:100,000 Sheets 147/153 LANCIANO and AGNONE | |---|---| | Task or Duty | PALENA TOWN - H1276 | |---|---| | Time | Height | Place | Narrative | |---|---|---|---| | 1149 | | BASE | a/b | | 1207 | 1500 | BASE | S/c TERMOLI | | 1220 | 8000 | TERMOLI | Over 10/10 cloud | | 1244 | 12300 | TARGET | Bombs dropped | | 1316 | | BASE | Landed | | 1324 | | | Last aircraft landed | [Signature Block] (Signed) [Signature unreadable - similar to "Lt Thompson"?] Lt for Capt SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. PART B (on reverse) to be completed according to relevant pro-forma in H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. Instruction 34. HQP/1,500,000/4-42 P.T.O.

1944-01-11 | TORTORELLA |

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes: * Sortie Report 512 (Palena): This report covers the raid on Palena on January 11th, 1944. The War Diary entry for this day (file 269-1__6.jpg) described the raid as "satisfactory" with "no enemy opposition" encountered. This contrasts sharply with the problematic raids on the same target on January 10th. * Weather Conditions: The "State of Cloud" is listed as "10/10" (complete overcast) with tops at 8,000 feet. The narrative notes the formation flew "Over 10/10 cloud" from Termoli. Bombing from 12,300 feet meant they were well above the cloud layer. This suggests either a break in the clouds over the target (common in mountain valleys) or bombing on a pathfinder/timed run, though the diary implies visual results. * Lt. Col. Kotzé: The O.C. led the mission again, marking a high operational tempo for the commanding officer (he also led on Jan 4th and Jan 9th). His observer, Capt. Carter, was a regular partner, providing command continuity. * Target Location: The map references "Sheets 147/153" confirm Palena's location on the boundary of two map sheets (Lanciano and Agnone), requiring careful navigation handover between charts. * Aircraft Mix: The formation of 12 Baltimores included "2 Mk.3A" and "10 Mk.4", showing the continued gradual phase-out of the older Mark IIIAs in favor of the turret-equipped Mark IVs. 28 Verification: Target File Verification: This document is the reverse side (Part B) of the Sortie Report for January 11th, 1944 (Sortie No. 512). Although there is no specific date column on this reverse side, the Sortie No. 512 aligns with Part A (file 269-1__28.jpg) which is dated Jan 11, 1944.