Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 13 JUL 43
- Took off
- 2150 hrs
P O S T A G R A M.46To : HQ.RAF.ME.HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU).N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU).SIO. TBF.From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.Ref : 21S/337.Date : 13 JUL 43.OPREP NO. 337 for period ending 0100 hrs LT 12/13 JUL 43.OPERATION NO. -(REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12.)A. Two aircraft took off at 2150 hrs to drop flares over, and bomb,TERMINI shipping, or alternatively, TERMINI HARBOUR installa-tions. Bombing took place 2304/2315 hrs on courses 275°/170°from 9/11000’. Earlier aircraft encountered considerable op-position from 20 S/Ls, was picked up twice and evaded, andfairly intense HAA accurate, aircraft being noled in variousplaces - slight damage. Bombs dropped in Western portion oftown and flares thereafter. Later aircraft little opposition,LAA, flashes HAA and 6 S/Ls seen for few moments SOUTH oftown - nothing accurate. Passed over target 4 times dropping2 flares on NORTH-SOUTH run SOUTH of docks and SW of town,one flare on SW-NE run over central dock area. Bombed onNORTH-SOUTH run along docks and observed results on furtherSOUTH-NORTH run. Black smoke seen from explosion after firstbomb and variocloured fires seen where incendiaries dropped indock area.(It is considered first aircraft attacked PALERMO harbour inerror).B. 2 Baltimores Mk IIIA.C. NIL.D. 4 hrs 55 mins.E. (i) 6400 x .30, 1400 x .50, 600 x .303 (ii)(iii) NIL.F. (i) 6 x 250 GP 43 Det, 360 x 4lb Incendiaries, 6 flares Recce4.5 No. 10.(ii) 6 x 250 GP 43 Det, 350 x 4lb Incendiaries, 6 flares Recce4.5 No. 10.(iii) (iv) NIL.G. (i)(ii) NIL (iii) 1 Baltimore Mk IIIA slight damage (Cat I).H-J. NIL.V - Z. NIL.(Signature: G.W. Thompson) Lt. for Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- HQ.RAF.ME
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- NAAF
- Northwest African Air Forces.
- SCORU
- Section Control and Operational Research Unit.
- N.A.T.A.F
- Northwest African Tactical Air Force.
- SIO
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- TBF
- Tactical Bomber Force.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- S/Ls
- Searchlights.
- GP
- General Purpose (bombs).
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:
hrs LT: hours Local Time.
Individuals Mentioned:
Route and Navigational Analysis:
Ordnance and Tactical Observations:
Historical and Location Context: