This fire is presumed to have

APPENDIX "L" 320 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/713 DATE : 10th June, 1944 OPREP No. 713 for period ending 2100 Hrs on the 9th June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 117 IESI 11 Baltimores off by 1400 hrs from BIFERNO to attack the CHIARAVALLE R.R. BRIDGE at S462456. Formation R/V with a close escort of 6 Spitfires at PENNA POINT and bombed at 1505 hrs from 11000' on a course of 310°. First box scored a perfect straddle on the bridge from S463455 to S461456 with 2 direct hits on bridge which is reported by observers as undamaged prior to bombing. The second box suffered a slight lateral error to the right, stick from S465458 to S461450, with direct hits on road bridge's approach. Train burning at S467458, with continuous explosions and thick white smoke increasing in intensity after formation left target. This fire is presumed to have been caused by 223 Squadron's bombing. Slight H.A.A. inaccurate from ANCONA area. Weather clear. All A/c landed by 1621 Hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 5 Balts V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 13.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 10.50 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL 42 x 500 fused 49 - 27 Nose 36 - 28 Tail 6 x 500 fused 52 - 37 Tail (6 - 12 Hr delay) to V: NIL W: (i) 3 Balts Mk III (ii) NIL (i) 2 Balts Mk IV (ii) NIL X: (i) 2.55 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 1.50 Hrs (ii) NIL Y 2: NIL FL Major Dalling DFC Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-10

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target Analysis (Chiaravalle): * Strategic Node: The target was the "CHIARAVALLE R.R. BRIDGE at S462456". Chiaravalle is a crucial junction town just inland from Ancona. The railway here splits, with lines going north to Bologna and south to Rome, making it a vital logistical artery for the German defense of the Adriatic sector. * "Perfect Straddle": The report highlights a rare moment of textbook precision: "First box scored a perfect straddle on the bridge... with 2 direct hits.". Observers noted the bridge was "undamaged prior to bombing," ensuring that credit for the destruction went squarely to 21 Squadron's first wave. * Joint Operations (223 Squadron): * The Burning Train: The report mentions a "Train burning at S467458, with continuous explosions" and credits it to "223 Squadron's bombing.". No. 223 Squadron was an RAF unit operating Martin Baltimores alongside the SAAF. Seeing another squadron's handiwork (a burning ammunition or fuel train) confirms the coordinated "maximum effort" being applied to the Ancona rail network that afternoon. * Ordnance: * Delay Fuses: Once again, the standard interdiction loadout appears: "6 x 500 fused ... (6 - 12 Hr delay).". These bombs would turn the wreckage of the bridge and the burning train into a death trap for German repair crews arriving that night. * Leadership: * Major Dalling DFC: The mission was led by FL [Flight Leader] Major Dalling DFC. As noted in previous files, Major Dalling was nearing the end of his tour (posted out June 30th), making this one of his final successful strikes against a major strategic target. * Abbreviations: * R.R.: Railroad. * R/V: Rendezvous. * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * A/c: Aircraft. 32 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is Appendix "M" to the War Diary, specifically Squadron Routine Orders No. 55/44. The document is dated 9th June, 1944 under the signature block of the Officer Commanding.