Operation

P O S T A G R A M. 61 To : 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 : 21 S/343 Date : 18 JUL 43. OPREP NO. 343 for 24hrs ending 2100 hrs LT 18 JUL 43. OPERATION NO. - REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12. A. 3 Baltimores took off from 2100 hrs LT to bomb any movement on roads WEST of TROINA (G5310) and leading to it. NO MT movement seen in area. 6 bombs dropped in stick across crossroads and RR at G9097 and 6 bombs in stick across road in defile at G0911. Bombing times and courses 2230/2235 – 090° and height 7300/8000'. Some incendiaries dropped on road CALTAVUTURO-VALLELUNGA. NO results observed. NO AA nor S/Ls. Third aircraft, due navigational error, arrived PALERMO. Long buildings seen SW of town – considered to be RR buildings or stores and bombed. Bombs seen to straddle buildings. NO results observed. (Target sheet shows to be Military Barracks). Course and height 3600/7500'. Approx 20 bursts HAA accurate and 4 S/Ls. Evasive action taken. Last aircraft landed 0002 hrs LT. Aircraft seen at G0611 flying in opposite direction and below. Lit by flare just dropped and from twin tail considered to be ME 110. Weather good, slight haze, NO cloud. B. 1 Baltimore Mk III 2 Baltimores Mk IIIA C. NIL. NIL D. 2 hrs 45 mins 5 hrs 40 mins E. (1) 3200 x .30, 2300 x .303 (1) 6400 x .30, 600 x .303, 1400 x .50 (ii)(iii) NIL (ii)(iii) NIL F. (1) 6 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det (1) 12 x 250 GP Rods 43 Det 30 x 4lb incendiaries 60 x 4lb incendiaries 3 Flares Recce 4.5 No 4 6 Flares Recce 4.5 No 4 (ii) as in (1) (ii) as in (1) except 3 flares. (iii)(iv) NIL (iii)(iv) NIL G. H. J. V. NIL. W. (i) Baltimores Mk IV 2: Mk IIIA 4: Mk III 2: (ii) Mk IIIA 2. X. (1) Mk IV 1.30 hrs: Mk IIIA 4.00 hrs: Mk III 1.45 hrs; (ii) Mk IIIA 1.40 hrs. Y. Z. NIL. (Signature: G.W. Thompson) Lt. for Capt. SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.