Operation

APPENDIX "AA" 342 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/730 DATE : 22nd June, 1944 OPREP No. 730 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 21st June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 117 IESI 12 Baltimores airborne at 1800 hrs to attack CHIARAVALLE R.R. BRIDGE (S462456). Attack took place at 1928 hrs from 12000' on a course of 110° in clear visibility. 1st box dropped a short stick from S463455 to S467454, lateral error to the right but stick ending amongst a cluster of buildings. Second box unable to bomb on target owing to steep turn, bombed a railway bridge at S483469, on a course of 085°. The stick fell to the right from S483464 to S492468. Direct hit on road at S487466. H.A.A. slight inaccurate from MARINA area. Close escort of 4 Spitfires. All A/c landed by 2030 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts Mk IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts Mk V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 15.30 hrs (ii) NIL (i) 14.30 hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) as in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (Fusing: 36 - 30 Tail) (i) 24 x 500 M.C. (ii) as in(i) (iii) & (iv) NIL to V: NIL W: (i) 2 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 1 Marauder Mk III (ii) NIL X: (i) 1.15 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 0.50 Hrs (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL FL Major de Wet Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-22

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target: Chiaravalle (Third Attempt): * Strategic Importance: The squadron returned to the "CHIARAVALLE R.R. BRIDGE (S462456)". This critical choke point near Ancona had already been attacked on June 9th (successful) and June 10th (failed). The Germans clearly prioritized its repair, necessitating repeated strikes to keep the line severed. * Tactical Difficulties: The attack was disjointed. The "1st box dropped a short stick," hitting a "cluster of buildings" instead of the bridge. The "Second box [was] unable to bomb on target owing to steep turn.". A "steep turn" on the bomb run is usually a violent maneuver to avoid sudden flak or fighters, or a desperate correction for a bad approach. It ruins the stability required for the bomb sight. Consequently, they attacked a secondary target ("railway bridge at S483469") but missed to the right, hitting a road instead. * Defensive Fire: * Marina Defenses: The report notes "H.A.A. slight inaccurate from MARINA area.". This refers to Falconara Marittima, the coastal town adjacent to the target area, where German flak batteries guarded the coast and the airfield. * Aircraft Anomalies (The Marauder Continues): * Visiting Bomber: The non-operational log (Section W) again lists "1 Marauder Mk III" flying for "0.50 Hrs.". This aircraft, likely from a neighboring medium bomber wing, had been present at the base for several days (see Files 47 and 51), possibly stranded by the recent bad weather or undergoing repairs before returning to its home unit. * Leadership: * Major de Wet: The mission was led by Major de Wet (Flight Leader). Despite the mixed results (missing the primary bridge), his decision to have the second box attack a secondary target rather than bring the bombs back showed tactical flexibility, even if the result was only a hit on a road. * Abbreviations: * R.R.: Railroad. * H.A.A.: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * A/c: Aircraft. 54 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 22nd June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 731) labeled APPENDIX "BB" (page number 343).