Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 26th DECEMBER, 1944
APPENDIX "E"TO : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.FROM : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORDS)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU )S.A.O.A., S.A.A.F. ADV. HQ. C.M.F.W.I.O. 3 WING, S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/888.DATE : 26th DECEMBER, 1944.OPREP. NO. 888 FOR THE PERIOD 2100 HRS. ON THE 25.12.44REF. MAP ITALY 1 : 100,000 SHEET 51.OPERATION NO. 132/21.12 Marauders airborne from Iesi at 1104 HRS. to attack the TREVISO ENGINE SHEDS at G.629758. Due to Cloud in the Fano area (where a fighter escort was picked up), two A/C of 2nd Box lost formation and eventually formed up and bombed with 24 and 30 Squadron. A third A/C of this Box while circulating in formation off FANO at 5000' developed a spin, crew instructed to bale; two gunners jumped. Two chutes seen descending; sea rescue action taken by the leader. Pilot corrected at 800'; dropped bombs safe at sea and returned to base. First Box of six bombed at 1220 hrs. from 12000' pattern resulting in a 500 yds. right error and overshoot on edge of town (G.625759 - 622757) among scattered buildings. Second Vic of three A/C - on which two A/C of 30 Squadron formed bombed from 11700' at 1222 hrs., pattern missed main objective, but straddled main line and junction, with numerous D/H's on tracks from G.627757 - 624756. No enemy opposition in Target area; 5 puffs inaccurate H/A/A when crossing coast at PIAVE river mouth. Weather : En route 8/10 - 10/10 cloud 5000' base; target clear and visibility good. All A/C down at 1346 hrs.(1) 12 Marauders III (ii) Nil.(i) & (ii) Nil.(i) 27.30 Hrs. (ii) Nil.(i) 40800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil.(i) 72 x 500 GP 48 x 250 GP (ii) 66 x 500, 44 x 250 (iii) 6x500 4x250Fused : Nose 27 - 49 Tail 28 - 36.Note : 432 lbs of window dropped.(i) & (ii) Nil.Missing 578404V. W.O.1. Hamilton D. M. (S.A.A.F.) A/Gunner.1802837 F/Sgt. Evans D.W. (R.A.F.) A/Gunner.to Z Nil.(signed) C.P.P. Nicolle Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer
- M.A.A.F
- Mediterranean Allied Air Forces
- M.A.T.A.F
- Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force
- SCORU
- South African Corps of Records
- S.A.O.A
- South African Officer in Charge of Administration
- ADV
- Advanced
- C.M.F
- Central Mediterranean Force
- W.I.O
- Wing Intelligence Officer
- OPREP
- Operational Report
- Fano
- A coastal town used as a primary rendezvous (R/V) point for bombers and their P-51 Mustang fighter escorts.
Abbreviations Expanded:
Observations about Individuals:
W.O.1. Hamilton D. M. & F/Sgt. Evans D.W.: Listed as "Missing" following the dramatic mid-air emergency of their aircraft. Their plane entered a spin at 5,000 feet; although the pilot miraculously regained control at the low altitude of 800 feet, these two gunners had already followed orders to bale out over the Adriatic.
Information about the Location:
Historical Theatre Context: